Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-12-26
O1iaPod's Christmas Reverie.


Many years ago, at Christmas-time, good old
Mr.. Ollapod wrote as follows. Those of our
citizens who remember him through decade
OF Christmas returnings, will again perpse his
holiday reverie with pleasure. Perhaps all
may read it with profit
carol for Christmas. In our day. il is the
merriest of times yet to the rejecting it is sat-
urated with holy and mournful "Reminiscences
| purpose for the nonce to roll back the screen
of Time and briefly weave up to the joyous pres
ent the tissues of Memory
Many centuries agone there was a moral nall
upon the earth. In the funereal gloom of Hea-
themes there was glimmering ray of prom
ised Redeemer, and holy seers were wont to proph-
ecy an ncarpate God transmitted in the flesh
from the loins OF the patriarch Abraham through
the blood of King David. The monster Herod
was Governor of Judea when the virgin wife of
poor Jewish carpenter, conceived of the HOLY
Ghost, gave birth to the Immaculate Saviour of
the world
Christmas, holy Christmas, returning each
year, commentaries the natal day of the Eman-
uel. little more than eighteen centuries ago,
| stopping from the heavens and from the right
hand of the Creator of the Universe the Son of
God deig1ed to assume the form and likeness of
apostate man. The polity of redemption de-
manded a martyr Jesus. Joy then on earth for
]
wrinkle its front, and juvenality become jocuud
on each Christmas day. Let fearful eyes bright
en-, and sombre hearts leap unanimously, and
sorrowful lips move in joyful accents. ], how
| ever, an old and sedate man, recur with mourn
full pleasure to some scenes that marked our Sa-
viour's career from his advent on earth to his as
cension to the realms of bliss.
| The wise men of the East, guided by bright
and moving star. found the infant God in man.
ger But not long could his cautious parents
| lnger with their holy charge in the land of his
nativity, for the remorseless Herod, to annul a
prophecy that threatened his power, caused the
death of Judah's children. Rachel wept for her
offspring and refused consolation because they
were not. The return of our Saviour from Egypt
upon the death of Herod, signalized by his
baptism and the confounding of the learned Rab-
bis in their confused ideas. In vain does the
arch fend tempt him from his mission by exor-
Infant worldly proffers, but selecting his Apostles
from among the humbest of the human family,
he goeth about intoxicating new and saving
morality, and enforceth the faith by cleansing
lepors, expurgatng devils, healing the dumb, re-
storing the blind to sight, and raising the dead
to life. He stills the raging and feeds FIVE
thousand furnishing men with five loaves and two
fishes. Still, till his last hour, does he COM
mend his rebellous creatures to repentance and
grace, speaking never spake. Wicked
rulers conspire against their God, and his recre-
kiss, and while the storm of contumely and
danger RACES around him his faithful Peter de-
MES him thrice. He is delivered in bonds to
Pontius PLATE, is crowned with thorns and
scourged and spit upon. They cruelty the Son
of God between two malefactors, and in mocke-
ry of his woe offer him vinegar TO drink. At the
ninth hour, still living and suspended upon the
cross, with the wound from the spear of the Ro-
man soldier weeping blood, he cries, " Eli
Eli lama sabachtan ~ and died. Then did the
earth quake, and rocks rend, and graves open
and exude their dead. Jesus died early in years,
but experienced naught but sorrow from those
he came to save. He was acquainted with grief
That same Jesus is the renovator of the world
The poor prosecuted Nazarene died that we might
Twelve in Paradise He now sits upon the
right hand of God interceding with the Father
for the salvation of those who beat him. Knocked
him and slew him.
Let childhood be happy then each return
children so much, but let the aged, as myself
mingle solemn "reminiscences with their joy. A
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
Now, speaking of Christmas, how can one
pluck the flower of JOY on such an occasion
whose frame is bloated yet paralyzed with pois-
onous fluids, and whose soul is swimming in the
fumes of moral miasma, engendered by ex-
cesses? Tommy, my dear son, you have been
q most excellent boy. You have won all the
prizes at school. Santa Claus is very fond of
good boys, and | know he will fill your stock
ings with nice things" There is really no such
thing old Santa Claus, and Tommys mother
knew it, yet when the recording angel heard the
innocent invention he sweetly smiled and made
no note. Indeed what harm in urging upon
credulous and joyous youth the existence of the
mythical and good-natured genius of Christmas
holidays? 1t was many and many long year
ago, then, In very distant section of our broad
LAM Hhr.e tfla
Tommy, who loved his mother much, was seen to
revel in juvenile innocence with his many and
variegated toys. Opulent in Christmas stories
is the fabulous Santa Claus, and especially pro-
fuse was he to good little Tommy. Tommy grew
apace, his limbs became round and firm, bis
eyes bright and sparkling, and his cheeks bios
somed with the vermillon hue, while his old
mother wept for JOY when the periodical college
vacations sent her blooming child to her ardent
embrace. He ever brought to his doting parent
from his enraptured preceptors epistolary evil
dence OF his zeal and success In excellent schol-
arship. He was the light and warmth of that
old mothers heart--the sun and brightness of
her yearning SOUL Most of all with most tender
peremptorness would summon her darling boy
to the old homestead when the rude breath of
Boreas and Natures snow-shroud revealed the
proximity of Christmas. The little fellow who
played ardently with his holiday gifts had
now matured into the grace and strength and
dignity OF MANHOOD, ana the mothers love as
she gazes upon his tall figure and intelligent
countenance is blended with joyous pride. With
what gluttonous avidity does she drink in the
adulations of her sincere neighbors, who predict
meteoric future for her dear child. o, he will
shine. he will. He will lave his person In a bath
of gold, and will grasp honors with such ease as
truant schoolboys pluck apples from pendant
boughs. simeon of wild excitement swept to
these golden shores human horde from the
east, and the promising and confident son of
that proud mother was caught up and hurried
along with the rest. For many long years has be
fingered here. He has no household, or wife, or
little one. No one doubts his capacity or intel
ligence. and yet, in this land of plenty he has
garnered no pecuniary stores he has decked his
brow with no wreath of appreciation of his fell
lows. And his eyes red and floating in
diseased and watery humor, his hands are trem-
bling as the aspen leaf, his gait is irregular and
shutting, and his garments are filthy and awry.
His companionship is with the idle and dissolute,
and relentless he suffers much contumely and
many humilatons. He hoyers about bar-rooms.
and penniless and creditless secures the means
of brutal intoxication by the drunken generosity
of his debauched comrades. About his withered