Poem: “The Birth of John the Baptist,” by Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch

Toiling through the live-long night,
Faint, uncertain of his way,
How the traveller hails the light,
Herald of the coming day.

Thus, when fraud and rapine threw
O’er the world their cloud afar,
On the good man’s raptured view
Broke the dawn of Judah’s star.

Tears of joy and gratitude
Hailed the Baptist’s natal morn,
For the heavenly light renewed,
For another prophet born.

Born to go before the face
Of Judea’s Savior-king;
Tidings of celestial grace
To the mourning land to bring.

Thus began the song of praise,
For the dayspring’s earliest ray;
How should we the anthem raise
For the Gospel’s perfect day!