Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-30
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

was SO balny that the pedestrians who moved orlsky
through the Streets and over the neghboring fields,
enjoyed genial glow. Many resortsd TO the church
rs, which were decorated with evergreens-others
paid social visits to their friends aud pledged mutual
affection aud good feeling glass Of foam;ng
egg nogg. The boys had gay time OF it, skating or
th. broad Basin or firing off ceaseess volies Of fire.
crakers.
fair friend has sent us the following beautiful ar
tcle On the proper observance of the blessed day;
| For the Enquirer.
How lovely beautiful grand! These expressions
were uttered in tones Of enthusiasm, by group Of
persous who standing in the portico OF au old
fashioned country house. Then Gmonsnary silence el.
sued as the whole party under the influence ofa
spell Charlotte Fur:ax, leaning her fathers arn
was the first to speak: ut is truly seems OF rare
ovenes," said size, "al nature appears drsst in bril-
dsl array, if to celebrate the glory OF the Prince
| of Peace"
"A tine thought, my child
"Dear father,' couI!nued the daughter, would The
gilt were nno to descrbs the prospect 10 atng Ian.
| guage; but that belongs TO the poet"
"Or rather tn tho painter, Charlotte whose art,
guided by the power OF genius, can alone faithfully
| portray a Landscape In its true light"
.Thrn you think psin;nx more expressive than
poetry" remarked Arthur Berkeley.
| "Uudou btedy-'tis pociry concentrated
Mary had moved to tho oih-r side Of the portion,
pany. =, -,
| "My holly tree. Is it not Brilliant The dark
green glossy leaves contrast 60 charnpsy with the
rich scarlet berries"
"Yes" replied Charlotte. IT'S quite like fairy
temple. with the birds cnngregated beneath the soft
veil, chanting their morning h! nm
"fou are growing poeiicai, CHARLOTTE saio Nr'
Berkeley.
"Thank you for the complimenf-if there is any
poetry in my nature rest assured will be cultivated
konaucs uas no terrors for me, nor can 1eom II
wenkn-ss as many do d, you remember what
Buiwer says on the subject
81 do nor"
well, will tell you-but not now, Arthur. Fa-
ther uu,, learn som=tnng more OF this snow scene;
for may never have another 50 besuulul Ger
tainly il could not be surpassed"
We will inform the reauer that Mr. Fairfax, after
having suffered for many years with dsease If the
eyes. was ut length entirely deprived OF his sight, anu
suce that sad occurrence bis daughter, as well Ms
every other member uf hi, family, were more de-
voted than ever IN their attentions 10 hiln
"Ch.rlotte my dear, if you ars ready, will listen
to some reading now" Mary led her uncle TO bis
arm chair near the drs. Charlotte seated herself az
the table--close by her fathers side-and glanced
over th9 phl-ts seeking something that might be
| entertaining, when the words "ChrEmas and New
Years." attracted her attention.
"At!" snid she, IL will read you an extract from
| this father since you complimentsd my idea con
cernng the celebration Of Christmas Ii may be quite
| apropo. as a continuation Of the subject"
"E,yhtesn centuries ago. II was ou. perpetual night
| which yelled the whole eurth. To handful ot the
human race upOn the remote corner OF Judta, thert
sbons the faint ght Of ancient propheci.s but they
were only like distant stars which sent their trembling
rays upon the darkness aud adorned but not removed
tho curtain which huug its tods over the world AZ
| to :he Gentle uatUns, their "phi!osophy had now
sunk into profound repuse, in complete despair Ut
being able tu furni.h the wanderers with guidance
and llglt. Then all which loves the sroud of dark
ness was awake and active. Proaigacy INDUCED
freely ils euornities Superstition fastened iIs chain
upon the multitude. Iduatry built, every where Its
shrines, aud power cla.hed with power, and nation
ross against nation, filling the earth with wars, until
in those sad hours, step was taEen, and no event
occurred that served not 10 add fresh dscord 10 the
raging cf the people 4, was the season when penl-
;euce had no hops, the passions no guide, and the
world yielded to the empire OF sin and death! Ihus'
darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the
people" Wheu suddenly, light broke from ths
east. The clouds rolled of from the heavens! The
.pri,e OF the night were surprised oy DAY beam
from on bigh Ignorance stoud detected! Phioso-
ply WIS BUNDLED and amazed! The bosom OF the
peni,cnt was flied with JOY! Tie graves seemed
had spread over the world the healing OF his rays,
and the pure air was filled with the melodies of celes
tial .pirits giving "G.ory to God in the highest and
on earh proclailning 'Peace-good Will toward
men,"
"rhis day thep is the anniversary Of the hour that
admitted su emanatiou frumthe one onlyirue God Into
the humble and sinful abodes Of benghted mauo take
upon Him our nature aud to become to us glor,.
Gus Redeemer. We are hidden by inspiration to hail
him as 1.-The Mighty God the Everlasting Father :
the Prince Of Peece" the only perfect image of God
in man, as an example of pure holiness FIRST exhibited
for the elevation Of fallen race! The only pro-
phet, whose influences Of the spirit sre uumea'
sured! Messiah, in all the authority OF that
relation! King, In all the power and doml-
Mon of that sovereignty. How meet Is it, them
that such an annversary-the hour that gave birth
to one in whom all faith and hope are oentred-shoud
never return without receiving the fullest distinction.
and bopors il is in our power to give II. Why should
We refuss to go the cradle of Christ aud like the
philosophers Of the East, render all homage to him
the Prophet, King, RedeenerY We encircle The
DAYS OF national deverancss with every demonstra
ton of gladness those on which the chains OF tne
oppressor were broken, and liberty returned on the
banners of armies and fleets. Why. then, shall We
decline to commemorate the advent OF the Conauero
who burst for rs the heavier bondage OF evl desires
! and the dark prison OF the tomb who proclalmec
the more glorious liberty Of the SONS OF God, anc
shone in triumph over the influences auo uon'po'ol
ave mark the period with rejoicing, 10 which The
mild influence Of peace descends like refreshing ram
after the thuuders aud comInotons OF war; and ena
we refuse respect and the evidences OF delight TO the
hour when hoier peace was announced on the Tyres
of aneeIs-when ali fears Of Gods offended justice
vanished in the presence OF Mediator
1--WE deem TO e an important duty TO coneecrate the
sSS>~~
from his labors by weekly observances and honort;
when God said "l,t there be light, and there was
light" and a world of beauty aud brightness sprung
from ths confusion OF chsvs Aud shall We neglect
the annual return of that period when, at The rising
of brighter light, The moral corn sprang up in the
freshness Of new cresliou aud spiritual influences
moved over the face of wilder chaos OF perverted
misguided and corrupted affections, to summon into
life an empire Of knowledge. holiness and peace.
| "Who In the world wro.e that long sermon |"
ava. il too grave for you, Mary Well, read il
more on fathers account thuu yours" What think
you, father
.rnat It Is finely wri;ten and replee with truthful
reflections, though s chief aim were to advance
e1ceHsnce-and This is the grrates; merit any ~rtipg
Can contain"
"Dn you know the author The signature 10 jas
| F. Oti.. Newburypor Mass
| O-und6 did but in a NOR, sensible way. You must
search for the Tree Articles Cnarlotte'-'hey Will
interest Us greatly.