Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-01-07
CHRISTMAS.

This festival was observed by the Teachers
and Scholars of the Lutheran Sabbath School
Of Lewistown, by very pleasant meeting in
the church on Christmas evening. Ii was
the regular monthly meeting of the Teachers,
and after singing and prayer, the order Of
business was called up and disposed of. The
minutes of the previous meeting were read
/ by f. X. Schwartz, Secretary an Essay on
the scriptures by Geo. W. Frescoln also. a
report of the Visiting Committee of the West
/ Ward. An address on Christmas was then
delivered by Col. John Hamilton, Superin-
tendent of the first SchuoI, and President of
! the Sabbath School Teachers Association.
The address was we'll prepared and afforded
much instruction in relation to the birth Of
the Saviour, the object of his missinn, and the
benefits derived by "a lost and ruined world
/ by his coming amongst us. In order to afford
1 your readers an idea of the theme of the ad
dress, have been permitted by the author to
make the following extracts:
WI hen Christ came he found the world in
deplorable condition. 1t was living in dark
ness, and sin ran riot over its fair dominions:
the governments were all in the hands of un-
godly men, the people of God were subject to
the different political powers and compelled
to wear the yoke of bondage: but with Christ
came the proclamation that the chair Of the
tyrant Sh1 uld be broken, and the captives set
free. During the days of the Apostles the
! work ofredempiion was vigorously prosecuted
and the face of things began to wear differ
"nt aspect; large numbers were converted
IL to the faith of the gospel, and churches
we're established in great number of places,
aud thus the seeds of the gospel were sown
broadc, ,sst over the world.
But after these servants of God were
gathered III their fathers Anti Christ prevail
ed, aud the Christians were driven into the
wilderness and the caves and dens of the
earth. The /, gions of the Prince of DARK
ness occupied / heir places, and a dreadful
night of darkness and gloom Of thousand
years duration hun, upon the world. There
we're a few stars Of light still in existence but
they could not pen,tr,t ,tte the gloom. The sa
cred writings were preserved as by a miracle
and the customs and HABITS of the Christians
kept ap by devoted few. The banner of
Emanuel trailed in the dust all this time, but
His warriors were only s'umbering At the
end Of the thousand years great luminary
arose-tLe darkness began gradually to dis
appear. aud ten thousand Christian warriors
rushed iato the field. The Prince rf the
Houee OF David again asserted bis dominion.
and with Luther rs his captain, the hosts of
hell were aiade TO tremble and finally to re-
treat. The Star Of Bethlehem again arose
never to set till the kingdom of this world
shaR Leeome the Kingdoms of God and His
Christ
" fbe Pilgrim Fathers were led to this
western world by the glmmering of that
Glorious Star. and here it shines in all the
efulgenee &f It's heauty and power. When
we lock at social condition and compare
1t with any ether portion of the world, either
past Or present, ls0w ought we TO rejoice and
exelaim, Cur Eges have fallen in pleasant
places and we have indeed goodly heritage
Aud al this has Fesa tied from the religion
given to the world l,y Jesus.
at was almost impossl Die to shine rs br ght
stars under the old disl'ensation, but now
under the blaze Of the @ 1spel Of Christ e
can qualify ourselves ta shine as stars Of the
first magnitude, none daring to modest US or
make US afraid Old things have passed
away, and betsSA, all things have become
new. Under the marvellous Eight of the gos-
pei the world IS making rapid strides in right
eousncss &ad holiness, the opinion Of some
to the contrary notwithstanding and the
nineteenth century Sb0Ge all others is Justly
distinguished for all that is good and noble
and Tor all this we are indebted to the man Of
Bethlehem and CALGARY Hos would it he
with oar believed caautrV iC Chris had never
been born? It sSoQd lJe as il was from cre-
ation's morn. The savage and wiiG beast
would be roaming anmoiested over opr hills
and along our valleys. There never would
have been Luther, a Pilgrim, or 4 May
Flower. Our Declaration Of Independence
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our constitution, that great beaco0 light Of |
nations. would be slumb bering ia its original
elements, and gross darkness would cover the |
fair face of our now happy cOuntry. The |
name of Washington would never have been |
heard OF, and this world would have been !
burned up, without its inhabitants ever having !
tasted the sweets of liberty.
% How then should we keep this festival
Certainly not in drunkenness and rioting-not |
in feasting, nor in the indulgence Of frivolous
amusements-bnt we should rejoice and give |
thanks unto the Lord that he gave us his we'll
beloved Son on this day. and that with him
came the gift of eternal life. We might in
dalge in some of the pleasantrics of Christ
mas, but always with reverence and respect.
1t is indeed the great day of liberty to the
world, and for this we should rejoice, for
whom Christ makes free is free indeed"
After the address, the Choir delighted the
large and attentive audience with some of
their usual enchanting music. DR.. r. Martin,
Superintendent of the Infant School belong
ing to the same Congregation, delivered
short address, showing an interesting table of
that portion of the schools Of the rapid pro-
gress it has made during the last year, who
was followed by the Pastor, Rev. ii. Baker.
The audience were then dismissed after sing
ing by the Choir, all seeming well pleased
with the exercises.
hope these annual meetings may be kept
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