GEMS. THE GREAT EXHIBITION THE world hath heard thy call, Britannia! and the summoned nations come To greet thee in the mighty capital Of thy own island home. They come from south and north From eastern lands, where endless summer smiles They come; the new world sends its tribute forth, And ocean's thousand isles. They come―aye, still they come, Europa's polished sons and daughters fair; The red man from his far-off forest home, And Afric's sons are there B They meet in friendly guise, The children of one common father-God; Fraternal welcomes, cordial greetings rise, Where Cæsar's legions trod. Beneath the crystal dome, Where Labour, as a king, holds royal state, The many-coloured throng in wonder roam, They crowd his palace gate. Thou hast a work to do, Britannia! heed thy holy mission well; Teach the false prophet's follower-the Hindoo, The Jew, and Infidel; The Parsee, and Malay, The plumed and painted children of the wild, The wanderers, who in Papal darkness stray, Poor Afric's sable child. Oh, teach them all, for thou Art bless'd with truth divine, with light from heaven; Freely thou hast received-oh, freely now Let truth and light be given. Give them, in their own tongue, THE GLORIOUS Book, which, like the eastern star That led the magi, can direct this throng, Gathered from lands afar,— TO HIM, whose cradle bed, Though the rude manger, was a Monarch's throne; By shepherd swains and wise men visited, Their Saviour-God to own. Then shall thy stranger-guests, Like those who once the Holy City trod, In their own language hear the high behests, And wondrous works of God. The world will bless thy name, And angels from their blissful home look down, While truth shall give thee, 'mid earth's loud acclaim, An amaranthine crown. E. B. P. HYMN FOR THE BROTHERHOOD BAZAAR. Oн, if the thought be beautiful, if it be wise and kind, To weave the bond of brotherhood, the whole wide world to bind ; And if to sheath the murderous sword be called a holy deed, Let all the praise be given to Thee, from whom all such proceed! |