The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-24
CHRIST MAS.

Legislature has made it a national holiday.
It Is the season, of all others, which induces
the peaitent siHner to draw near, in holy con-
temptation, to cur great Mediator. who upon
this day commenced his earthly pilgrimage.
in compliance with the promise Of the Father,
to redeem ard save lost and fallen race.
Still, this anniversary is not enjoyed as it
was in the "Olden Time" Then was there
= heartiness in the merrimcnt, an abandon
in the enjoyment, which our more formal
times Is n stranger to. No wonder that in
the "IIue and Cry after Christmas" the par
~ exclaims: But is old, old, good old
Christmas gone? Nothing but the hair Of
his good, gray old head and beard left!-
Well, will have that, seeing I cannot have
more Of him"
In the language Of the Oh song:
"a man might then behold
At Christmas, in each hall,
Good fires to curb the cold,
And meat for great and small.
THE neighbors were friendly hidden,
Aud all had welcome true,
The poor from the gates were not chidden
When tbis old cap was new"
Orr greatest Of American authors, writ
ing Of Chr ;s'mas. says, "Of all the Cd festi-
walls that Of Christmas awakens the strong
est and most heartfelt associations. There
is a tone Of solemn and sacred feeling that
blends with our conviviaity, and lifts the
spirit to state Of hallowed and elevated
enjoyment. The services Of tie church
about this season arc extremely tender and
inspiring. They dwell on the beautiful.
story of the origin Of our faith, and the pas
toTal scenes that accompanied its announce
meUt. They gradually increase in fervor
and Tathos during the season of advent, m
i'll they break forth in full jubilee on the
mornj3g that brought peace ard good
will to men. l 60 not know a grander ef-
feet OF music on the moral feeling, than to
hear the full choir and the peaIing organ
performing Christmas anthem in a cathe-
dra' and filing every part of the vast pile
Mith triumphant harmony.
at is a beautiful arrangement, also. de-
rived from days of yore, that this festival,
which commentaries the announcement Of
the religion Of peace and love, has been
made the season Of gathering together of
family corrections, and drawing closer
again those bands Of kindred hearts, which
the cares and pleasures and sorrows of tho
world are continually operating to cast
loose; Of calling back the children Of
family. who have launched forth in life,
aud wandered widely asunder, once more to
assemble about the paternaI hearth that
rsilying place of the affections, there to
grow young and loving again among the
endearing memcntos of childhood.
There is.'' our author continues, "some-
thing in the very season Of the year that
gives a charm 10 the festivity Of Christmas.
A. other times we derive great portion of
our pleasures from the mere beauties of na-
tire. Oar feelings sally forth and dissipate
themselves over the sunny landscape, and
we live abroad and everywhere The
song of the bird, the IN urmur Of the stream,
the breathing fragrance Of spring, the soft
volrptuousncss of summer, the golden pomp
of autga4u, earth with its mantle of refresh
ing green, aud heaven with its deep and
delicious blue and its cloudy magnifcence,
al flI Us with mute and exquisite delight,
and we ravel in the luxury Of mere sensa-
ton. Ba: in the depth of winter, when ma
ture lies dcspoied of every charm. and
wrapped ia her shroud of snow, we turn for
our Qualifications to moral sources. The
draariness and desolation of the landscape,
the short gloomy days and darksome nights,
while they cjIcumscribe our wanderings,
shut in our feelings also from rambling
abroad. and make us more keanly disposed
fer the pleasures OF tue social circle. Our
thou ghts are more concentrated our friend
ly sympatiies more aroused. We feel more
sensibly the charm Of each others society.
~Gl are brought more closely together by
doYendauce OF each other for enjoyment.-
Heart cllieth unto heart and we drain our
pleasures from the deep wells of loving
kindness. which lie in the quiet recesses of
our bcsoms and which, when resorted to.
furnish forth the pure clement oi domestic
felicity.
''Tbe pitchy gloom without makes the
heart diiate on entering the room filled with
the glow and warmth of the Christmas Gre.
The rudiy Jlaze diffuses an artificial sum
Uer and sunshine through the room, and
lights up each countenance in a kindlier
welcome. Where docs the honest face of
Hospitality expand into prouder and more