Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1898 — CHRISTMAS TROTH. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHRISTMAS TROTH.

HE old gray bell In the old gray >- tower Is ringing so gladly across the town, And the red, red dawn, like a shaken flower, Scatters the Christmas glory down. Oh, the light of the aacred morn Of the day when the dear Lord Christ was born! Oh. the sweet of the winter air, When it’s Christ-

~mas, Christmas everywhere. Let’s hie away to the church, my lad. To the dear, gray church where the candles shine. I’d breathe a prayer while my heart’s so glad— I’d catch a prayer from those lips of thine! Love, love, love—and it’s Christmas day, And you and I in the church to pray! Sweet the bowing, and blest the prayer. For it’s Christmas, Christmas everywhere! Dear Lord, what gift thou hast sent us twain— To pledge our troth on thy natnl day? Oh joy that is almost keen as pain, Oh love more sacred than lips eau say! Here where the candles buru so white, Here where the holly glistens bright, Make the heart of the love we bear Christ-llke always and everywhere! —James Buckham.