746 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



ODE TO PROGRESS. 



By Anna Morrison Reed. 



Genius of this grand century, and guardian of the free, 

 Who can a tribute worthily bring from our hearts to thee ? 

 When 'neath the Star of Bethlehem angels sang that blessed morn : 

 ' Peace on earth, good will to all men," Progress thou wert also born. 

 The ages past had never known thee, for man unjust oppressed 

 His fellow man ; who, suffering, saw might as right confessed. 



Ask Egypt's hordes, who toiled as helpless slaves 



To buildlier kings imperishable graves, 



Or Grecian art, that on each heathen fane 



Left us the dower of some immortal name, 



Or Rome's imperial grandeur crumbling down, 



If it was Progress marked their great renown. 



No, since the world and all its works began, 



Have art and science been the slaves of man, 



Degraded oft, ignoble scopes to fill 



To suit the vagaries of the human will. 



So Freedom's smile o'er superstition's horde 



Accomplished more than power of fire and sword, 



While Christian liberty, o'er land and sea, 



Enlightens all, and makes the poorest free; 



And things that were but dreams to Greece and Rome, 



With us to grand realities have grown. 



A homeless child so touched the human soul 



He made the world akin — one wondrous whole; 



His story echoes down the aisles of time 



In every language told by tongues sublime. 



Nor will it cease till every land has heard 



The precious promise of His sacred word, 



That truth and justice shall prevail alone — 



Where they are not, Progress, thou art not known. 



