THE BELLS OF BETHLEHEM.
[On hearing them in the hill country of New Hampshire, September, 1880.]
"The far-off sound of holy bells."
How the sweet chimes this Sunday morn,
'Mid autumn's requiem,
Across the mountain valleys borne,—
The bells of Bethlehem!
"Come join with us," they seem to say,
"And celebrate this hallowed day!"
Our hearts leap up with glad accord—
Judea's Bethlehem strain,
That once ascended to the Lord,
Floats back to earth again,
As round our hills the echoes swell
To "God with us, Emanuel!"
O Power Divine, that led the star
To Mary's sinless Child!
O ray from heaven that beamed afar
And o'er his cradle smiled!
Help us to worship now with them
Who hailed the Christ at Bethlehem!
James T. Fields, in The Granite Monthly.
