But to the humble, and th' afflicted poor Blest is the news celestial spirits bring! Great is MESSIAH, though of birth obscure, And dear the babe whose advent angels sing!

Rise star of Bethlehem! in glory rise! Direct the sages to the Prince of Peace! Point where their infant Master meekly lies, Whose honours circling ages shall increase.

Him bards shall celebrate in deathless lays, To him philosophers shall bend the knee, Shore shall to shore resound his ceaseless praise,

And bear his glorious name from sea to sea.

O SAVIOUR! may a portion of the joy
The shepherds' breasts that filled be now

our own!

May angel's songs be now our best employ, Since "Peace on earth," erects her lasting throne.

FROM THE VERMONT REPORTER.-By J. Phelps, Esq.
On this blest morn to Bethlehem,
The star-directed Shepherds came ;
And here beheld what love display'd!
EMANUEL in a manger laid.

Life and immortal hopes this day
Were tun'd on ev'ry Seraph's lay;

Angels repeat the notes again,

With "PEACE ON EARTH-GOOD WILL TO MEN."

Hosanna, sing the heavenly birth-
Hosanna, worship him ye earth ;
This day, from death and bonds set free,
Triumphant shout the victory.

FROM A SOUTHERN PAPER.

All hail, to the season, when festive and gay, Round the bright social fires of winter we sit,

Delighted to pass the long evening away, 'Midst the pleasures of song, and the sparkles of wit:

When kind hospitality seeks to beguile, What heart can refuse, at the summons of mirth,

The brow of dull care to relax for a while, In the gaity to which merry Christmas gives birth!

Now Hymen is busy arranging his band, And Beauty all blushing in nuptial array, Her Shepherd's devotion rewards with her

hand,

And promises surely to love and obey! Ever blest be the union of beauty and love, When Modesty prest to the bosom of worth, In the white robe of Innocence soft as the dove,

Affords the best image of Heaven on earth!

While the loves and the graces thus brighten the scene,

Of nuptial amusement and purest delight,

Our friendships are gay, and convivial mien, With wine, mirth and song, crowns the banquet of night.

Festivity reigns with unlimited sway,

And closes the year both in Country and Town,

With feasting and social, and music all day, The cares of existence in pleasure to

drown.

How bright is the prospect wherever the eye, Or the mind is induced to direct its regard, What favours of Heaven descend from on high,

Every effort of Industry's sons to reward! The labours, the pleasures, the blessings of Peace,

All mark the proud triumph of Liberty's

reign,

In wealth and in numbers our people increase,

And plenty reposes on mountain and plain.

Enlightened Societies study with care,

The means of adorning our land to combine,

Soil, Rivers and Roads, Education, all claim, Their zeal to preserve, to improve and re

fine;

From the frontier of Maine, to the wilds of the West,

Shines a picture unequall'd of national bliss, No earthly community ever possess'd, Such cause to be grateful and happy as

FAMILY PRAYERS,

SELECTED FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS.

First Prayer adapted at the beginning of the

year.

ALMIGHTY GOD of the spirits of all flesh, and author of all created existence, who hast Vouchsafed unto us to see the commencement of another year! Hear our prayers unto thee respecting time to come. We acknowledge that in time past we have been too earnest about the things of time and sense; too regardless of the objects of faith and futurity. We acknowledge that we have too often walked in a vain shew, and disquieted ourselves in vain. It is our desire in time to come to cast off all the unfruitful works of darkness, and to walk as children of the light and of the day. May this year witness our greater reformation from every thing that is amiss in us; and if thou shalt see fit to spare our lives, may it be in mercy to us.

If it be consistent with thy holy will, may we be let alone another year, that we may cease to be cumberers of the ground, and may bring forth fruit We ask not length of days,