.
Near to its close rolls up the century; And still the Church of Christ upon the earth Which marks the Christmas of His lowly birth, Contains the selfish Scribe and Pharisee.
O Christ of God, exchanging gain for loss, Would men still nail thee to the self-same cross?
It is the Christendom of Time, and still Wealth and the love of it hold potent sway; The heart of man is stubborn to obey, The Church has yet to do the Master's will.
O Christ of God, we bow our souls to thee; Hasten the dawning of Thy Church to be way! THE END.
[Transcriber's note: typographic errors in the original are noted within square brackets.].