Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 February 1919 — OF THE EPIPHANY [ARTICLE]

OF THE EPIPHANY

Fair Eastern Star, thou art ordained to run ~ Before the sages, to the .rising sun. Here cease thy course, and wonder that Of this poor stable can thy Maker ....shroud; -* Ye heavenly bodies glory tq be brlg&L , And are"esteernecT as ye are rich In light. But here on earth is taught a different way, Since under this low roof the Highest lay. Jerusalem erects her stately towers. Displays her windows and adorns her bowers; Yet there thou must not cast a trembling spark, Let Herod’s palace still continue dark; Each school and synagogue thy force repels. . '■ ■. There Pride enthroned in misty error dwells; - The temple, where the priests maintain their choir. ' ~ Shall taste no beam of thy celestial fire. While this weak cottage all thy splendor takes; A joyful gate of every chink it makes. Here shines no golden roof, no ivory stair. No king exalted in a stately chair. Girt with attendants, or by heralds styled, But straw and hay enwrap a speechless Child. ’ Yet Sabae’s lords before this Babe unfold Their treasures, offering incense, myrrh —-—rand gold. The crib becomes an altar: therefore dies No ox nor sheep:‘for in their fodder Iles The Prince of Peace, who. thankful for hlwtjed. Destroys those rites in which their blood was shed; The quintessence of earth he takes, and fees, . And precious gums distilled from weeping trees: ' ' Rich metals and sweet odors now declare The glorious blessings which his laws prepare, To clear us from the base and loathsome flood. j Of sense, and make us fit for angels’ food. Who lift .to God for us the holy smoke, Of fervent prayers with which we him invoke, < — And try our actions in the searching fire, By which the seraphims our lips inspire; No muddy dross pure minerals shall infect. We shall exhale our vapors up direct; No storms shall cross, or glittering lights Perpetual sighs which seek a happy place. —Sir John Beaumont.