The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-26

OF all the ancient holidays which used 20
i deck and adern this rugged life but whieh sre
gradually. giving. Way before sae rasaiess
hand of innovation and change there is none
to which our hearts cling with more tenaeny
{ than Chfistnas,Atha last, but fairest OF 1he
flowers. blooming in summer beauty on the
,;therea bosom of the dying year. Other
festivals appeal to some single sentiment
or recollection is linked with thou
sand associations al once joyous, sweet
2 and sacred The brightest star that shines IN
d the horizon OF youthful happiness is the Star
that hung over the Cradle of Bethlehem ana
the purest incense that ever rose to heaven
IS the eMa and grateful alteration which,
an the bright Christmas morn, innocent emil
dren offer to the Infant King of Nazareth
The tide of after life may run in a rough and
stormy .fioed, but il can never ehace from the
soul that green island OF happiness,--the
Christmas of childhood,--se fragrant with
the flowers of Hope, genial with the pare
atmosphere of affection and radiant with the
sunlight of Heaven.
Let US lose all other holidays, but spare
ms Christmas! To take it away would be TO
leave blank in the heart, the freside and the
altar. Alas, manya vacant spot is in each
of these.-cherished aspirations have folded
their bright wings, chairs Of loved ones are
vacant at the fireside, and the purity OF once
. spotIess natures is slilsd. But. Christmas
GENES. aud refreshes the waste places with
the. soft .dews of Memory and upholds the
trembling heart with the strong prop of Faith.
We grow young again, rs We think OF oT
Young wears the faces of the departed re-
appear not in the habiliments of the grave,
but brig ht and sparkling, as when they sat in
the festive circle the merry chime Of Christ
mas bells reminds US of a better life and Of
= unfading joys, and thus, in the winter OF
age, and even the desolate dwelling Of Pow
erty,--a Child is Born-the Hope of Immor-
tafity,-touehing with balmy lips the sorrow
ing. breast and making the lowliest dwelling
bright and royal with the presence OF Divin-
ity. -5-' -'r -. .*
For bond and free, for old and young, the
year has no such day as Christmas. 1t comes
. to revive old friendships to bury old enmi.
ties; to bring together the scattered members
of families, and revivify the dropping leaves
OF love and affection. The imagination can
not conceive more perfect picture of hu.
man happiness than Christmas in the days Of
our fathers,--the hospitable board, the red
flashing light of the huge logs upon the
hearth the green wreaths and bougles around
the walls: the rapturous shouts of childhood,
the merry music of the dance,---and last,
though not least, the Christmas gift to tae
Lord of Christmas, who stands at every door,
in the persons of his Poor, concerning whom
He has said that cup of cold water given
to them is given to Him, and, amid the con-
Stunning fires OF the last day, will return to
bless the giver with a cool and perennial
fountain of immortal life. 49,"
p. Hail, happy. Christmas Far distant be the
hour when the destructive spirit Of the age
shall steal a single gtm from thy treasure
house OF Memory and Hope Our American
existence is barren and bleak enough now
one eternal monotonous rush in the crowded
and dusty avenues of trade and noney-mak-
ing,-we need at least one oasis in the desert
at which forest for moment and cool our
parched lips and repose our jaded limbs. 10
he Pioneers of Progress, who would abolish
Christmas, we appeal,-Cut down every othe,
holiday,-Iay their green glories in the dust
but ..
60 Spare the Christmas Tree----------
!. ...,-..-.- Whose glory and renown tfT
- Are spread DER land and STA.
And would'st thou hack it down
Woodman, forbear thy stroke
Cut not its earth bound ties;
OH spare that eyed oak.
Now towering the skiesi
Nhen hut q Idle