RETROSPECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2568, 25 December 1888, Page 2

RETROSPECTION.

The following original lines are by a talented Waikato lady, and deserve a place in our columns to-day:— "A Merry Christmas "do you say ? <■ A " Happy New Year " too! 1 Ah well! it may prove so to some, How many ? and how few 1 It is a time brings back to me, Days long, long past and gone ; Familiar faces—loving hearts— " Departed one by one. ! Tis Christmas eve—methinks I nee, My home, my mother dear ; Glad voices, happy laughter strike Like music on the ear. Hark ! midnight chimes ! Forth peal the bolls : ■* For they ring the carols clear, Oh ! Christians, awake, awake ! ♦ Christ's birthday morn draws near. The morn has come—the soft, white snovr Lies glistening on the ground ; Friend greets each friend ; hand clasps each hand 1 ' ' And good will reigns around. The little children too eome now, 1 A wassailling to the door ; Many a one whose pretty head • ' The grass has now grown o'er. Now all are silent—young and oldDead, scattered, who knows where ? ■ And friends and foo—all, all alike, tHave had their joy—their care. Ob, weary hearts ! oh, wandering feet Outcasts—none to love ! God comfort you this Christmas time 1 With blessings from above. Ah ! as I think of all these things, Of each life's hopes and fears ; My heart is filled with heaviness, My eyes grow dim with tears. God give us " peace " for Christ's dear sake, To teaoh us how to live ; Whate'er our trials, help us to " "•< "Forget and to forgive,'' ■ ; :J