, 1866-12-25

IN all the blessed communications from
heaven to man there wna none so full of
promise. and followed by such glorious ftui-
t,on. Is Thai OF the angels proclaimfne to tho
snephefus the "good tidings Of great 5oy''
Inc bafth Of the Messiah, the nativity OF the
savior. For that announcement prophets and
patf1aIchs had sighed, and closed their eyes
IN sosfoW that 1t waa not to be In their dsv.
anu because the auspicfous coming OF good
Will among men was reserved for future ccn-
ersuons. To-day the Christian world puts
oa lts holiday garb, and e1ults in the birth
.! the hedeemet. To-day the Christian world
sinea The prsises Of the 1ufant Goldman, and
from grateful hearts pours GU. its thanks for
Lis bcne6ccnce.
1ne hle OF Christ WAS one long act Of char
ity and mercy; but no period Of II 40 sw1keus
IN The human heart those emotions Of crati-
1ude 10 Him, and good will to fellow-crea-
turrs as this festival Of His nativity. It has
been from time immemoslAl the season Of
fEaterna1 love; the season when, Ia the pres
ence Of the Babe 1t Bethlehem, human pride.
human arrogance should be humblcd. and
mankind for whom He was born should feel
and recognize the uulty Of the human family,
and their equality in the mercy and the Justice
Of God. 1t Is the festival Of NIL others when
the child and the parent are drawn to each
other by the memory OF the Divine iocarua-
tfon, and when man can but feel that he Is
but member of family having the samo
origin, protected and preserved through life
By the same mercy, redeemed by the same
S4vior, and destined hereafter 10 the same
eternity.
1t is the day when the poor have an adro-
cate in the Child in the uancer. Those that
hunger and thirst and ART naked have In
Him suppiiant in their behalf To fsed
the hungry, to ciothe the naked, to minister
unto the wants Of the poor, Is but to initiate
the kings who carried their presents to the
newborn Child for whom .stucrr was M
roou In Inc Inn" To-day, while the world
fc}o'ces aud Is singing the praises OF Christ,
II Is out duty to seek out the suffering
poor; TO give unto them 1ibera,ty:
to kindlc a fire upon their co1d
neas'hs to put food upon their tables
where there Is none; to give clothing to the
1'nes now shivertnE with cod; to give COM
Tort 10 the sick-in short, 10 relieve and snc.
COT aiStfess and ailiiction in whatever form
IL may exist, that these, rs we'll rs your
selves, may rejoice in tho "elad tidlngs."
anu NJ, realize That the glorious promise Of good
VIII among men has not failed.
lineage has much to be grateful for: her
general prosperity, her giant progress in
wealth aud in all things that make mn
CREST and hapry people. Bat, this sea.on.
Chicago has an additional cause to BE- crate.
fu', il 1hc exemption she las enjoyed from
the cruel pestilence which has been so terri.
bic In othe- pisces. Christmas Is uu appro-
pirate season for n practical exhibition of
this gratitude There are families of the
pour from which that pestiicnce has taken
the strong arms which kept them from pov-
erty. Into the stricken hearts of the suryi-
VOTE, let those who hare been spared pour
consolation, and make that con ation more
abiding By substantial provision against
physical want and suffering, and thus mike
al participants in the Joy aud happiness Of
this festival.
THIS Is peculiarly season f;,r joy. The old
ano the young alike share in Its happiness;
there should be no sorrowfu1 Eaces at the fes-
tal board Today. Let Joy be unscstsaincd;
let happiness be universal. that the world
may re}ulee In the nativity Of the worlds
Redeemer-thc Savior OF mankind