A rare spectacle has been spreading itself before the face of heaven
during these last months.
Millions of people, of many nations and languages, on both sides of
the ocean, simultaneously engaged in celebrating the birth of a mere
man, four hundred years after he was born, is an unwonted scene in our
world.
Unprompted by any voice of authority, unconstrained by any command of
power, we join in the wide-ranging demonstration.
In the happy freedom which has come to us among the fruits of that
man's labors we bring our humble chaplet to grace the memory of one
whose worth and services there is scarce capacity to tell.