POETRY. ON THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. WHILE the rough surge of Life's tempestuous.wave To desolation speeds its course, And, with a wild o'erwhelming force, Consigns progressive ages to the grave, Unalterably true the solar ray Darts from the East, th' important day to bring; The wond'rous high descent of their incarnate Kiog! The courts of highest Heav'n pervade ! And martyrs whom Salvation's robes adorn, That issues from the source of everlasting light To heavenly themes attune the soul; The wonders of the Saviour's love to trace, When the great Anthor of all good Will to the mind celestial good afford. The Christian soars beyond the reach of Fate, Feasts on the faithful promise of his Lord, And drinks the pure delight of his most holy word. Great name, of whom the saints and angels boast, And while his realms they strove to view, Their powers, though great, were in his empire lost! O infinite eternal King of kings, Compar'd with thee immensity is small! The most stupendous of created things, Weigh'd in thy balances to nothing fall! For thou, through endless space, art God of all in all t The omnipresent God we find. In yonder vast domain of his almighty love! If this diurual sphere, from, pole to pole A lasting train of wonders feasts the soul! These in full concert raise th' exalted theme, The mind's perceptive pow'rs entrance, That God through Christ is reconcil'd to man! And Faith, surveying yonder starry cope, On minds that ne'er could reach the store Here from the pure translucid ambient stream, That gives the blooming health of undecaying youth. J. STOYLE. |