Scriptural narratives of those passages in Our Blessed Lord's life and ministry, which are subjects of annual commemoration in the church preceded by preliminary notices of the days on which they are commemorated, and followed by reflexions and collects: adapted to the greater holydays of the United Church of England and Ireland; and designed, together with biographical notices of the apostles, evangelists, and other saints, to form a course of reading on all the holydays of the church. By Richard Mant |
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THE EPIPHANY,
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 | Scriptural narratives of those passages in Our Blessed Lord's life and ministry, which are subjects of annual commemoration in the church |  |
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THE EPIPHANY,
OR THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST TO THE GENTILES.
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And who are they, yon ancient men, from Sheba's spicy land,
Who journey on, a pilgrim train, o'er wastes of burning sand?—
Those ancient men are sages vers'd in science' varied store,
But most in heavenly musings nurs'd and astronomick lore.
Who journey on, a pilgrim train, o'er wastes of burning sand?—
Those ancient men are sages vers'd in science' varied store,
But most in heavenly musings nurs'd and astronomick lore.
And what is that, yon brilliant star, whereon their eyes are placed,
Which beams with stedfast light from far across the trackless waste?—
That brilliant star no fellow deem of such as gild the night:
'Tis hung in heaven with mystick beam to guide those sages right.
Which beams with stedfast light from far across the trackless waste?—
That brilliant star no fellow deem of such as gild the night:
'Tis hung in heaven with mystick beam to guide those sages right.
And whither tend those ancient men, and what their point of rest,
As straight o'er mountain, plain, and glen, they journey tow'rd the west?—
Behold, they reach, they pass the bound of holy Palestine;
And now they compass Sion's mount, where Salem's turrets shine.
As straight o'er mountain, plain, and glen, they journey tow'rd the west?—
Behold, they reach, they pass the bound of holy Palestine;
And now they compass Sion's mount, where Salem's turrets shine.
And “where,” they cry, “ye learned priests, is Judah's new-born King?
His star has led us from the east, to him our gifts we bring.”—
“Judea's King is Christ the Lord, the heir of David's crown:
His birth-place, mark the prophet's word, is Bethlehem, David's town.”
His star has led us from the east, to him our gifts we bring.”—
“Judea's King is Christ the Lord, the heir of David's crown:
His birth-place, mark the prophet's word, is Bethlehem, David's town.”
So on they fare: the word divine has heavenly light supplied;
Nor need they now the star to shine, their journey's wonted guide.
Till its fair beam of level light one favour'd spot display,
Source of their passing great delight, goal of their lengthen'd way.
Nor need they now the star to shine, their journey's wonted guide.
Till its fair beam of level light one favour'd spot display,
Source of their passing great delight, goal of their lengthen'd way.
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The search is sped: the journey o'er: they see the Child, and, lo!
All-prostrate on the humble floor their limbs adoring throw:
And in, their precious stores they bear, their country's wealth unfold,
And offer gifts of worship, myrrh, and frankincense, and gold.
All-prostrate on the humble floor their limbs adoring throw:
And in, their precious stores they bear, their country's wealth unfold,
And offer gifts of worship, myrrh, and frankincense, and gold.
Gifts of high price, and homage great, to lay the Babe before;
Betokening him of royal state a child; perhaps of more.
Yet marks of pomp around him none that royal state attest:
His court a lowly shed, his throne a lowly mother's breast.
Betokening him of royal state a child; perhaps of more.
Yet marks of pomp around him none that royal state attest:
His court a lowly shed, his throne a lowly mother's breast.
Faith, deep and strong, of heavenly source; fruit of no earthly soil!
Which bore them through their tedious course of peril, care, and toil:
Nor stumbled at their place of rest; but in that mean abode
The long sought babe their King confest; their King, perchance their God.
Which bore them through their tedious course of peril, care, and toil:
Nor stumbled at their place of rest; but in that mean abode
The long sought babe their King confest; their King, perchance their God.
Their faith be mine! be mine to tread, where God shall point the way;
Nor let fatigue my steps impede, nor danger's face dismay!
Be mine to mark with stedfast look his guiding sign from far,
And in his own enlightening book still find my leading star!
Nor let fatigue my steps impede, nor danger's face dismay!
Be mine to mark with stedfast look his guiding sign from far,
And in his own enlightening book still find my leading star!
And so be mine that wondrous Child with choicest gifts to greet;
Bright deeds of love, thoughts undefil'd, and pray'r, as incense sweet:
His state though outward meanness veil, his royal state to own;
And with devout prostration hail the Lord of Israel's throne!
Bright deeds of love, thoughts undefil'd, and pray'r, as incense sweet:
His state though outward meanness veil, his royal state to own;
And with devout prostration hail the Lord of Israel's throne!
| Scriptural narratives of those passages in Our Blessed Lord's life and ministry, which are subjects of annual commemoration in the church | |