NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CHINA
By The Rev. Ed. Pearse.
Ar.L shops are closed, no business done ; The busy, bustling crowd are gone ; One seems to be almost alone,
On New Year's Day in China.
'Tis strangely still, few folks abroad,
No coolies stagg'ring 'neath their load ; No chair or barrow on the road,
On New Year's Day in China.
Anon we saunter down the street
Some jugglers doing wondrous feat,
With Punch and Judy there complete,
On New Year's Day in China.
As usual, we invited all Our native friends, both great and small,
To visit us at " Jesus Hall
On New Year's Day in China.
All bright and early came each guest,
The men clean-shaved and neatly dressed, In hat and gown and Sunday-best,
On New Year's Day in China.
The children decked in colours gay,
Their well-combed hair so smoothly lay,
With rose and poppy each a spray,
On New Year's Day in China.
Then bending slowly to the ground,
Each person makes a bow profound,
And hopes good fortune may abound,
On New Year's Day in China.
Soon, seated round the board, each guest
Attacks the food with eager zest, And with his chopsticks does his best,
On New Year's Day in China.
On pleasure now each one is bent
;
In cheerfulness and merriment
The quickly-passing hours are spent,
On New Year's Day in China.
When day begins to wear away,
And little folks are tired of play,
We gather round to sing and pray, On New Year's Day in China.
The elders then, with solemn voice,
Invited all who would rejoice,
For God and heaven to make their choice,
On New Year's Day in China.
And so, not vainly spent our day
Should some poor soul one feeble ray
Of brightness gain to cheer their way,
On New Year's Day in China.