Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-02-23
GRAND HAVEN MICHIGAN WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1853

from human tongues at his triumph over the
grave! This is the theme of human exultation.
Here our human nature puts on immortal robes,
and virtue dresses up for heaven. This great
fact sweeps away at once, the dreams of heathen
speculation, and disperses the cloud that vailed
the brightest pages of early philosophy.
Yet, strange to tell, the anniversary of the
day which gave this Savior birth, and led to
these momentous results, is permitted, with
few exceptions. to pass unheeded in a Christian
community, with scarce any other memorial than
a registry in our calendars. Were stranger to
our religion to read, for the first time, the Cos
pei history of the Saviors advent and its merci-
full purposes his suffering life, and tragical
death that all his tolls and sufferings were a
voluntary and vcarious sacrifice that he is now
confessed to be our atonement, and our redemp-
ton from bondage and death; how would he
expect the day which gave him birth to be CON-
memorated and honored! what signs Of gratu-
lation with which to greet the first dawnng rays
of this anniversary morning? what notes ofjoy
to echo back the songs of transport which once
gaddened the plains Of Bethlehem? Would
not he expect to see this day set apart as the
Jubilee of nations; solemn abstraction from
secular concerns; the doors of sacred temples
thrown open their walls verdant with the en-
bems of Immortality; throngs pressing around
the altar with oblations of gratitude; and ador-
ing devotion pouring forth incense ofprayer and
praise to the God of so great salvation? Well
blessed be God we hope the period will ere
long arrive, when all who assume the name and
wear the badges of Christianity will unite in cell
ebrating as a holy jubilee, the anniversary of a
Savior's birth. They will, like the shepherds
mentioned in the text, "go even to Bethlehem,
to see this thing which is come to pass" The
shepherds did as they proposed; they came with
haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe,
lying in manger. They believed before they
came; but now their faith is confirmed by sight.
They were both gratifed and edited by the
view, and they returned glorifying and praising
God for all the things which they had seen and
heard
Let US, then, initiate these happy men; let US
ago to Bethlehem"-the name signifies =" the
house of bread" there in the contemplation of
the Savior of fallen world, may we find bread
for our souls! Literary Miscellany.
THE FARMER.-Within the sphere of vision
opened from my window, passes every day, q
aborious happy young farmer-from his cot
tage to his field and from there back again.
ID. 4 L 20 H. Al
upright and energetic man. His heart is in his
work, and from nature, he looks up to "Na-
ture's God," giving him thanks always The
little perplexities of life, trouble him but for a
moment, he is ever cheerful and bows with sub
mission to the will of his heavenly Father.
From early morn till dewy eve, he is abroad
doing with all his might whatever his hands find
to do. Though the frost cut down the early
the grain, or the wind scatter his treasures, he
does not complain. Still he hopes and trusts
in his God, while the language of his heart is
Yea, though he slay me, yet will trust in him.
How much is there in a farmers life, to lead
the mind upward and onward. The tiller of the
ground is encircled by all that is bright and
beautiful of earth, so that while enjoying those
transitory pleasures, he is led to think of the
enduring ones prepared for Christs children
above. And when night draws over him the
curtain of darkness, oh how welcome is quiet
slumber.
Faith guides his hand, as he scatters the SEED
in early spring, and true gratitude is the feeling
of his heart, when he gathers in an abundant
harvest. He is contented with six days where
in to labor and prepare for an earthly existence
and gladly welcomes in the sacred light of {
holy Sabbath morning. From the lips of the
servant of Christ, he hears words Of heavenly
wisdom, and these taking root in his heart pro-
duce precious fruit.
1t is thus that the upright tiller of the GROUND
spends his days. Youths Companion.
When Mr.. Quincy was Mayor of the city O.
Boston, this good joke was related Of him in
South Boston print:
A Mr. Evans, who had a contract with thu
city for filling up" the Flats" on the Neck" in
vited the city government to examine his roat
and his famous digging, g,machine. After satisfy
ing their curiosity, and admirng the wonderful
m oobina tbair ottanfion was called IN n snlendi(