Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-12-27


CHRIsrHAs.--.In the whole calendar Of Time
there is no day the events Of which are Of so sac
red and immeasuraby important a character to
the whole human race, as this day which is the
anniversary Of the birth Of Jesus Christ. We
may observe festive days, because they recall to
mind brilliant transactions and glorious achieve
ments, both Of civil and religious nature but all
these, no matter how important, dwindle into
insign6cance when measured with this day, the
great event Of which, eighteen hundred and forty
nine years ago, spreads rainbow Of hope over
the soul Of man, and eievstcs him from the degra.
daton Of his fallen nature to associations Of the
purity Of heaven.
Eighteen hundred and forty-nine years ayo this
day, during the reign of King IIerod, Jesus Christ
was born in Bethlehem Of Judea the sure
ing Of this important event had been foretold by
the prophets and wise men Of the cast, and Jerusa.
lsm, amid all her inhdelity and attachment, to her
ancient faith, was already troubled with excite.
ment. The King even gathered all the Chief
Priests and Scribcs Of the people together, and de-
mandcd Of them where Christ should be born he
bid his wise men go and search diligently for the
child, and when they had found Him. to come and
announce the fact. ,ha, he also might worship
Him. But the history Of this matter is too well
known 10 our readers Iierod did not the in
Ant Saviour, aud in his wrath he slew all the
children who were in Bethlehem. The angel Of
she Lord had previously appeared to Joseph in a
dream, and warned him to take the child and His
snothcr and Acc into Egypt, which command he
obeycd.
After this time, all are familiar with the varied
and trying career Of Christ through the world
lie lived thirty-sevcn years, and passed through
all kinds Of scenes. lie had His followers, and
form among them lie selected His chosen twelve
TO be always with Him, and to assist Him in His
mission. lie raised the dead, healed the sick,
caused the blind to see, and performed nnumcr-
able miracles which were beyond the comprehcn-
zion Of mankind, ,---and yet lie was dcrided and
denounced. His Apostles and faithful followers
were selected from among the poor and unknown
fishermen Of Galilee these were the dsspised men
whom the Son Of God admitted to His confidence.
This was the arisiocracy that Cmnipotcnce mark
ed az its own, and acknowledged worthy Of celes-
tial honors.
IL was about this time that Christ preached that
splendid Sermon on the Mount, which infinitely
surpasses all human productions in brilliancy Of
language eloquence Of conception, purity and piety
Of doctrine, and universal philanthropy. 1t en-
bodies all the tene,s Of the christian religion, and
il points out the only mode Of salvation to man,
II contains the great fundamental doctrines which
Christ came to inculcate. Not the dogmas Of the
Roman Church. Of the Church Of England, ofthc
Baptists, Of the Presbyterian, Of the Congrega.
tionalis, Of the Methodist, ofthc Unitarian Of the
Quaker,--no, not the faith, or the belief Of any
sect,---not a Church with its bishops and its
priests claiming exclusive divine authority through
a line Of Apostolic succession, ,---but lie preached
the doctrines Of the Church Of Ills Father. lie
proclaimed on earth peace and good will to men
lie summed up the divine requirements of His
Father, and the civil and religious duty Of men on
EARTH in these few words 80" Therefore all things
whatsoever We would that men should do to you,
do ye even 10 them for this is the Law and
the Prophets" This is the keystone of the arch
Of Faith which lie promulgated to coming genera.
ton. lie even then rcprobated the idea Of a con-
tention among Ills followers, Is to who were HE
most favored elect, and who, in future tines had
followed most closcl, in the footsteps Of the great
Head Of the Church. lie did this at the close Of
that sl,ne Sermon on tho Mount -" Judge not,
that yc IT, not judged. For with what Judgment
We Judge, yc shall be Judged and with what
measure yr nict", ], shall be measured to you again
And why lrhol,srt thou the mote that is in thy
brothers eye hut considcre.t not the bcam that
is in thine own eye. Or how wilt thou say TO
thy brother. let inc pull out the mote out Of thine
Ce /; aud behold baln is in thine own cye."..-
God has established Democracy in the State, lie
has also established Democracy IN the Church
end while the idea of divine right of kings in
civil affairs is contrary to the spirit Of creation,
end Repayment to the investment Of Ills divinity in
che mind Of man ,..at the same time, the idea " a
divine right Of Bishops. in ecclesiastical govern
meni, is NJ contrary to the religion which lie
preached, as Hing ly Irorosa,ive 10 in secular AZ.
fairs.
Even nj ths, day, and Notwithstanding the mir
nclcs which lie performed, and thc majesty of tbs
TRANSPORTATION on Noun, Tabor, when the man
put On the 0bd, and from amid that cloud of ,lsn
dor, burning With the ltgbtn,s. and ciTuletnce of
the eternal God, came ihs, mysterious voice say
isg.-." This 10 my beloved Son, in whom ] am
well pleased. hear ye IIim,".-IIe wa. pronounced
an iet-',or, and raikd a, by the powerful and the
great. IL was UCu,p,utu' Isrsd upau esitb
j'u' Clti.; a.. zoo - Col wlo h,'l I-h n.