THE ANGEL'S MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 47

THE ANGEL'S MISSION.

AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

(Specially written for the Witness Christmas Number of 189k)

Two angels wandered band in hand Ere set the sun upon the land At Christmas time. Ami ever as they trod the snow Came wafiing to them, goft and low, Like voices sweet that come and go, The hell's sweet chime. And one cried, " Let us turn and go ; "We are not needed here below At Christmas time." Each home is full of Chri-tmas cheer, And pin ted friends once more draw near, 0 sweet to them it is to hear The bell's soft chime. And suddenly upon the ear, Low, mingling with the music clear, A pleading prayer — "Angelp, harken ! 0 I pray, Bear me from tin's world away ; Take me home to re-t above, There for aye with tLo.se [ lo\ c ! "Angels, you are ever kind, Take me where I peace may find. Low at Heaven's gate I kneel. Longing, praying, pleading fatill ; 1 can wait no longer now, See, at Heaven's door 1 bow 1 Angel-3 tender, kind, ami true, liow I long to dwell with you!" Ah! swiftly then the nngels {lew ! Till fully hid from human view, Ihen ceased tbeir llight. With folded -uing.s and heads bow ed low, "With footsteps veryjsoft and slow, A tiny hut they enter so Where was no light. Then from tbat lowly hut and mean Two angel forms, with wing.-! of sheeu, Jlome swiftly fly. And ihen a grander Christmas chime Than heaul on earth in any clime— ' Aye ! thv.nigli the longest hours of timeIs heard ou high. " 0, weary one, 'twas not in vain That from our heavenly home wo came At Christmas time. "Now gr ik'ful praise shall be our song ; And peace on earth, goodwill nmong All nations that to earth belong, Our Chi istiuas chime ! " Christmas ISJI.

—Ada A. Pi. Ludfoud.