People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1896 — The Christmas Tree. [ARTICLE]

The Christmas Tree.

Only a star! a shining star! More glorious than our planets are, ’But watched by wistful eyes and bright; And longing hearts, that wondrous night. Only a manger, shadow-thronged, That to some public inn belonged. Where sweet breathed cattle quietly For midnight slumber bent the knee. Only the light of tapers small. That on two tender faces fall, Two tender faces —one divine — That still through all the centuries shine > From palace walls, from thrones of gold, From churches, shrines, cathedrals old, Where the grand masters of their art Wrought faithfully with hand and heart. Only a babe! in whose small hand Is seen no sceptre.of command, But at whose name, with Freedom's sword, Move the great armies of the Lord. Only a cross! but oh, what light , Shines from God’s throne on Calvary’s height* His birth, His, life, the angels see, Written on every Christmas tree. —M. A. Denison,