THE STABS OF HEAVEN.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 66

THE STABS OF HEAVEN.

The Stars of Heaven, what are they, with theii? far-reaching light? Moving ever silently onward, their paths far out, of sight. For ages earth's teeming nations have watched them glow and burn, Named each constellation, and to each, their season gave in turn; -* Beyond and yet beyond there are -suns and worlds untold, Brighter, and yet brighter, which our eyes may not behold. The Stars of Heaven! Whence -came they? — a glorious, shining band, That fill earth with -dreams and longings for an unseen, far-off land,. Whose bright walls are built of jasper, their gates with jewels set, Whose streams run purest crystal, their vale 3 with pearly dewdrops wet, Whose light is the light of ages, needing neither moon nor sun, And life is lifs for ever — unending and unbegun. O Stars of Heaven, I care not, be ye planets, suns, or world, Whilst I see ye spread before me, like a banner wide unfurled. Then I think of that olden story, of a Star and a little Babe — Of the King who left home and Father, and His glory by him laid. How He came, an unknown stranger, born in an humble shed, With only hay in a manger to pillow His royal head. And the shepherds out on the hillsides heard

the song 3 from afar Of angels who- followed him eaithward, led by that blazing Star. The earth took up their anthem, and aloud pealed 'from vale and hill, "Peace be to all on carth — and unto all men good will!" And the stars caiight up tha echo, and sent it forth again, And clear through the mighty universe rang the glad refrain. At each holy festival, we tell of the wise men from afar, Of the shepherds and the Christ-child, an<3lBethlehem's holy Star. How Christ took oui human nature, with all its passions wild, And threw wide the gates of heaven, anci came iorth a little child — As a symbol through all ages, Lo all who would heaven win, They must be as little children, or they co.nr not enter in.

— C. N. W«

Oaniarvi, November, 1900.

— Five ounces and a'-half of grapes are required to make one glass of good wine.

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