The national Republican., 1867-12-25
CHRIRTMAR.


nections Of the past, the present and the future.
II is familiar word, and everybody throughout
Christendom understands Its purport and knows
Its meaning and the source OF Its origin. Vol
umes have been written to explain Its nature,
the wherefore Of Its Introduction as q festival
and to impress upon the human mind and heart
the lessons which It teaches and illustrates.
The whole Christian world accept as true the
statement that 1907 years ago Jesus Of Nazareth
was born In Bethlehem, In Judea; and that II
was this same Jesus who was then, is now, and
always will be, both Lord and Christ-in short
the Saviour OF the world. This twenty -afth day
of December, then, is observed as a day oommem
orative OF the birth Of the Son OF God. It 10 nc
part Of our present purpose to enter upon the
discussion Of this subject in any theological
sense. We leave all such matters to the pulpit
the proper theatre for polemieal discussion
We recognize the Christmas holidays, as the
great mass Of the Christian world recognize
them, as days OF JOY and gladness-the time to
be merry and happy; the time to forget old
wrongs, forgive all enemies, renew old scqusint
anees, make new friends, and to scatter gifts and
benefaetions with liberal hand.
On this glorious Christmas morn everybody IL
entitled to be merry, Joyous, and happy, and 1,
the Father OF us all, and toward His Son Jesus
homes which nll ours and all Christian lands
What myrisds Of happy children will awake this
day to gladness. Many bright eyes will sparkle
at the first glance at the distcnded stocking where
good st. Nicholas has placed the long g-looked-f
and coveted gifts. How little feet will patter
over carpets, and along halls up and down stairs
to show mamma and papa the precious gifts which
Santa Claus has brought. And then tao beauti.
full Christmas tree, the accustomed morning kiss,
more earnest and aHectionate, II possible, this
morning than on ordinary occasions. Then the
larger and more costly gifts which pa has made
to ma and those sweet and delicate displays Of
brotherly and sisterly remembrances which are
symbolired BY those more costly soupenirI which
lie scattered upon tables, encompass the body
and nestle near the heart. And then to think
Of those old homesteads and ancestral mansions,
where trsupes of happy grandchildren hustle In
and out, and hang around the old armchair OF
the aged grandsire, and listen to his and grand
ma stories OF the olden time. And then again to
think Of the many homes that are made happy by
the returned wanderers from distant lands, many
OF whom had been given up as lost, and II not
IKE the prodigal in every instance, yet like obe-
dent children have now returned to fathers
house, and again the gatherings Of those who
once occupied the same household, surrounded
the same hearthstone, and knealt at the sam,
affairs, now once more returned to greet eaei
other under the same parental tree, and spent
the happy Christmas time. Vacant chairs ther,
are In these households, but our sadness on &C
count Of the loved and lost passes away when W,
recollect that though they will not come to Us
we shall go TO them, to spend q perpetual Christ
mas in the bright world beyond.
This, though but feebly drawn, 10 to US pleas
ing picture. Would we could stop here, but WI
cannot. There are other scenes this morning Ii
n L. A2fa l.k
notice. 90 with US, dear reader, and you also
who have your good things and are well to d
in this worlds riches, into the by-wsys, alleys
and dark places Of the city, and look upon othe
and far different conditions OF fallen humanity
and what do you sect Don't start back, for wha
you look upon 10 what is daily seen by the ey
OF Him whom you this day worship and praise
the man Christ Jesus, who said to you and l.
all of us, "The poor you have always with you.
Let US enter one Of these receptacles OF the poo
OF the city, for we may enter without being bid
den. II the latch string is not on the outside Il
token of hospitality within, still the door 10 no
barred against US; we can go In. Look, ye son
and daughters OF plenty, upon that couch Of mii
cradle straw and rags. Do you see those squalid
half famished, suffering little children and thei
almost starved mother, herself widow, or pei
haps worse-for there is a drunken husband an
father, and still in his cups. Must these chi
dren and this woman suffer on this account Aye
they must; but their present needs, especially o
Christmas time, may be greatly mitigatedj an
then, leaving this particular feature OF the SUI
fering poor, we may speak OF honest poverty
men and women without occupation, and sue
as can get no work, and consequently are dest
tute Of bread and fuel and clothing, and Al
things else that makes life endurable. Go the
and visit the poor during these Christmas day.
and ye who have means to give, give, and Go
shall bless you.
We have never been ambitious to have grea
riches, but In times like these we urge the ric
and all who can contribute OF their substance I
bless the poor. Ifthere was ever a time whe
we desired the wealth Of Astor or Stewart, this
time is now. We would make some raimen
storehouses, produce stores, and market place
look very different from what they do to-da,
We would deplete some OF the granAries OF th
land, and make some hearts happy that now pin
in sadness. May God have pity on the rich 4
they close their eyes to this condition OF tn
poor, and fail to hear their cry for bread.
But we will close this already too lengthy art
Gle by wishing all our readers merry Christina