American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-12-20
Entract from an Old Paper.
CHRISTMAS.

/ think that every one has, or ought to have, the
right OF thinking, speaking and acting as he peases
in religious concerns, provided he does not disturb
others in the enjoyment Of their privileges. The
Cavnist, the Episcopalian, the Baptist, the Roman
Catholic, the Methodist, the Quaker, should be al
lowed to worship in peace and quietness, the Mosr
HIGH GoD.-I would not quarrel with them about
their Falkland If they should individually offer up
to the Throne of INFINITE MAJESTY, q
broken spirit and contrite heart" would leave TO
others the task of pronouncing the curse OF eternal
condemnation against them for their sincerity. II
is not my business.
Do not believe then, reatler, whateVer may be-
your creed, that entertain The least i'll will against
you, or that would offer the slightest insult, in
wishing you
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
was taught in early childhood TO greet with Joy
the return of this day. What FIRST pleasant
from habit and the communion Of friends, by de-
grees became so from reason. The emblematio
GIFT, which custom has sanctioned on this festi<
val, in families who observe it, reminds of
its object as We acquire the power of understand
ing. The guinea which is presented by moral
parent, now resolves into feeble memeno o! that
TREASURE which was this day given to the ia.
mily OF man by +" our Father" who is in heaven.
The lively evergreens which decorate our tenn
pies, hourishng in rich verdure through the chile
ing OaStS OIL WHICH, no longer StIlRc tc eye as I'M
meaning ornameDts-Theie is a PLANT which
survives the frost of Death.
Were the lrtidel to ask why we should rejoice
on the return OF this day, would be useless to at
tempt defence, by commenting the blessings
of an Atonement in which he does not believe. Il
would be enough to present him with the Gospels,
and, without upbraldng him, ask, where such
system can be found-and what honors that man
merits, who first propagated the doctrines which
fbayr ,pp TAT nIafa eTofa &c
mankind IN countries where these doctrines do not
prevail Let him go to Africa, and see the father
selling his to perpetual slavery for bottle of
rum-and the mother consignng her daughter to
the same condition for few glass beads. Let him
take view of Arabia, where every man is armed
against his neighbor, and every wrong is washed
away in blood. Let him traverse Asia; and after
witnessing all the injustice and cruelty that unciv-
lized man can infct on his fellow, introduce him
into Christian family, and let him walk abroad in
a Christian land. He may then discc.er some cause
Tor rejoicing on this day.
To the Christian, it seems unnecessary that any
thing should be said to induce an observance of
CHRISTMAS. The day which gave him all in which
he processes to delight is surely time of rejoicing.
But approach forbidden ground, and it is time to
stop. have heard sermons against the celebration
Of this day Some there are, who forbid us pluck
ing single flower the road through this vale Of
tears-who decorate Religion only with thorns--
and frown, if you presume TO manifest the least
tslaction on embracing her, ''whose ways are ways
of pleasantDess." and all ''whose paths peace"
God forbid that should disturb their devotions,
violate their feelings. If,hey will mourn on the
occasion, when
| "Suddenly there aras With the angel multitude
| Of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying,
Glory to God IN the highest and on earth peace,
good aUiU tocards men,"
l will not obtrude upon them my CALCULATIONS 1t
is only to those who would never have
| "------a GOD appear,