The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-12-27
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For TIE: Massachusetts, Spy.]
NATIVITY OF CRRIST-Dec. 25, IS

Prophets, who were celebrated in their day
for glorious achievements, are embalmed 10
the memory of their particular adherents and
admirers, and the spot of their nativity and
interment becomes the object Of frequent Wis.
itation, and the pride and glory Of individuals
and nations.
No less than seven renowned cities disput-
ed the right of giving birth TO Homer. Snyr-
ma, Chios, Colopbon, Salamis, Rhodes, Argos
and Athens, have each claimed the honor Of
giving birth TO this prince of poets. The late
inhabitants of Scio, now, alas, scattered and
destroyed, Showed the curious stranger a lit
tie square house, which they called Homer's
! school and gloried In pointing out to travel
lers the seats where the venerable master
and his pupils sat in the hollow of rock.
Mecca, in Arabia, was the birthplace of
Mahomet, and the number of pilgrims, who
yearly visit this place, is almost incredible
| every Mussulman being obliged By ais relig-
ion TO go there in person, sr by deputy, at
| least once in his lifetime. The grand cere-
mony, through which each of this numerous
| company of pilgrims passes, is that OF going
seven times round the house Of the Prophet
in the interior of his temple.
At Medina, another city of Arabia, about
| fifty miles from the Red Sea, 10 which Ma
homet fed, when ne was driven out Of Mecca,
and the place where he was buried, is called
JNOst R0ly' by the Turks; and thither the
multitude Of his devoted followers annually
resort 10 behold the tomb OF their venerated
prophet. The building, which incloses it, is
hung with silk, which is renewed every seven
years. 1t is guarded by forty eunuchs. This
temple is very magnificent, being supported
by four hundred columns, and containing
three hundred lamps always burning.
Around the Idol of Juggernaut, the cele-
biated temple and place of Hindoo worship,
on the sea-coast OF Orissa, an immense con-
course of Hindoo pilgrims collect, and pay
profound veneration 10 IFS shrine. This is the
God whom they adore-this is the only Sa
viour they know and celebrate
| How many in this western world visit, and
hold as sacred, all those things where our be-
loved Washington, the political saviour Of our
country, was born, lived, and died! How
venerable in name, and dear to thought, is
Mount Vernon, TO the bosom that glows vita
! patriotic love |! Over this consecrated spot
sacred to memory-endeared by thousand
pleasant yet mournful recollections-the pass
ing +rnuAilar F-.sir~Iy UGuuers, and bedeWs
it with many tear
To visit the humble and falling tenements
OF our reYered ancestors, every vestige and
relic, connected with their early lives, is high
ly interesting to their descendants; and to
view the rising turf, in many a Wondering
heap, Of those who, " in their narrow cell are
forever laid" though sorrowful, is still delight.
ful and consoling to the pious minds of surviv-
ing relatives.
But it is time to withdraw our thoughts
from the origin and sepulchre of heather poets
and false prophets; and even from the vene-
rated remains Of our political deliverers-the
ancient abodes, and the solitary graves of oul
forsfathers and our beloved parents. Adieu
we splendid mosques of Mahomet, and ye
flowery grounds and shining seats of earthly
princes! Farewell, We antique and moulder
ing ruins that sheltered our parents birth, and
farewell ye graves that hold i'll trust thei
wasted bodies!
Star appears 10 the East--and, guided by
its celestial beams, let US hasten to the region
of Palestine, and there view the humble spo
, where Jesus, our spiritual Saviour, was born
; where the true light, that lighteth every man
; first burst upon a benighted world. Like tn
Magi, the wise men OF the east, let US leav
our earth. born cares behind, go, and visit tn
babe of Bethlehem, lying in a Manager!
Eighteen hundred and twsnty-sx years ago
an angel of the Lord announced 10 the shep
i herds, while they were keeping watch owe
their fiocks by night, Fear not; for behold
bring you good tidings Of great joy, whic
shall be to alI people. Fer unto You is Dor
3 this day in the city of David, Saviour, whic
|. is Christ the Lord. And this shall be sig
n unto You We shall find the babe wrapped i
o swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. An
: suddenly there was with the angel multi
" tude Of the heavenly host, praising God, an
saying. Glory 10 Ged sn the highest, and o
earth peace, GOOD ,ciA tOieard men. -" Let U
o now 20 even unto Bethlehem, and see tn
: thing which is come to psss, which the Lor
hath made known unto.us."
From the tins Of the proclamation Of thes
u glad tidings from the skiss, pilgrims, from ev'
Il ~ quarter Of the globe, have resorted TO Besf
= lehem Of judea, about six miloS from lsr0Ss
q lem, TO see the very spot of the nativity
q the Messiah, tie desire Of all nations, aud th
= very manger in which he was born is pratenc
Ii ed TO be she I'm, even TO this day, to thos
e who Journey through the Holy Land.
!, We might enjoy much holy satisfaction b
: a personal view Of the place il which our ID
a yiour was born, in the little town OF Bethl:
\ hem! No doubt such sight would max
deep and vivid impressions Oh our minds, 81
i kDdle in our souls an Uncommon lame OF d.
r yotion. Gould we walk in the garden of Gett
e semane. and on the Mount Of Olives and Ca
: vary, and visit the sepulchTe 10 which on
: Lord was laid, many novel sensations an
:. melting emotions would be felt, and fond me
u MORALS gathered concerning our blessed Lor
S and Redeemer; and it would probably civ
birth to much ingenious sorrow and many p
Gus resolutions; and, in some measure, gene
a rate, and produce in our future lives, NOR
. humility, perfect obedience, and Christian
\ love. However gratifying or beneficial
J might be to us TO behold those memorable
I places, it is net in our power so TO do; an
= forever blessed be God, that our Divine Lor
4 requires none Of his disciples actually to jour
ney 10 his birthplace or his Tomb. And
, any man shall say to us, 10, here is Christt, o
10, he is there, we may reply, he is also her
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