Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-12-07
CHRISTMAS.

tombs the day. In Norland, however,
the midday has few bright moments;the
sun sheds still few feeble beams, then he
quickly disa ppears. and it becomes dark
Farther up in the country, people know
nothing more Of day--the night endures
for months.
They say in the North, that Mature
sleeps but this sleep resembles death:
it is cold and CHASTITY, and would obscure
the heart of man, did not another light
descend at the same time, II it did not O.
oen to the heart a warmer bosom and
animate it with its life. In Sweden they
know this very well, and while every
thing sleeps and dies in nature, all is set
in motion in all hearts and homes for the
celebration Of a festival. Ye know it
we'll, We industrious daughters Of home,
We who strain your hands and eyes by
amplight quite late into the night to
prepare presents. Yea know it we'll,
YOU sons Of the house, you who
bite your nails in order to puzzle
cut what in all the world you shall
chose for Christmas presents. Thou
knowest it we'll, thou fair child. who hast
no other anxiety than lest the Christnan
should lose his way and pass by thy door.
You knew it we'll. you fathers and moth
ers, with empty purses and full hearts;
We aunts and cousins of the great and
immortal race OF needieWomen and work
ers in wool---ye welcome and unweIcome
uncles and male cousins, We know it
we'll, this time of mysterious countenan-
ces and treacherous laughter. In the
house Of the rich, fat roasts are prepar-
ed and dried fish; sausages pour forth
their fat, and tarts puff themselves up;
nor is there any hut so poor as not to
have at this time sucking-pig speaking
in it, which must endeavor, for the great
er part, to grow fat with its own good
/ humor,
/ 1t is quite otherwise with the elements
at this season. The cold reigns despoti-
cally; it holds all life fettered in nature;
restraints the heaving of the seas bosom;
destroys every sprouting grass blade;for
bids the birds to sing and the gnats to
sport; aud only its minister. the pow
erful north wind, rolls freely forth
into gray space, and takes heed
that everything keeps itself immoyable
and silent. The sparrows only-those
optimists Of the aIr-remaln merry, and
appear by their twittering to announce
better times.
Atlength comes the darkest moments
of the year, the midnight hour of nature:
and suddenly light streams forth from all
habtations, and emalates the stars of
heaven. The church opens its bosom
full Of brightness and thanksgiving, and
the children shout full Of gIadness' 1t is
/ Christmas! it is Christmas Earth
sends her Aailelujah on high!
| And wherefore this light, tits joy, this
! Thanksgiving? "A Child is born!' A
child? In the hour of night, in low)y
manager. lie has been born; and angels
have also sung, Peace on earth.' This
is the festival which shall be celebrated
and we'll may ye, YOU dear children,
sound forth your cries of joy! Welcome
even though unconsciousIy, the kour in
which this Friend, this Brother, was born
/ to you; who shall guide you through life,
who shall tighten the hour OF death to
you, and who one day shall verify the
dreams of your childhood; who shall
stand beside you in necessity and care,
and shall help to answer the great ques-
tons of life. Rejoice, We happy children
whom he blesses.. kejoce and follow
after Him! He is come to lead you and
all of us to God!
There are inexbaustible, Ioye-inspiring
wonderful, enhancing thoughts, in which
man is never weary Of p!unging. i'be
sick soul bathes in them as in Bethes-
da, and is made whole; and in them the
healthy find an elevating life's refresh
ment. Of this kind are the thoughts ct
that ChiId-His poverty, His lowliness
His glory!
Il is beautiful and wise ordination,
that the life of the church untods itself
most richly at that moment in which ma
ture lies dead. For this receive thanks,
Thou all good Father!
temperance and Eel Tca-A red eyed
gentleman in faded blue frock coat
which had undergone at least three
scourings and stood in need of fourth,
came before the Mayor with great trepi-
daton of manner and with the appear
ance of much internal uneasiness. He
| declared his name to be Israel Barger,
and complained that his sister Sarah with
whom he boarded, had made an attempt
to poison him.
.Nayor-Ilow was the poison admins
| tered?
Israel--Tn liquid.
.Mayor-What liquid? tea or coffee?
Israel-Neither The very delicate
state ofmy health prevents me from u
sing them. 1t was liquid take for
medicine.
Mayor.--Of what is it composed?
lsrdel-A penny's worth Of tansey in