The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-12-25
Chvissmas

ton, Oil classes, tue Tlou, tho PooAi sA'
exalted, tho lowly, the tortanate.r tn
disappointed, those who go dancing
through the world, and those who drsl
the grumbler's heavy chain-sll alike
isel lighteniUg of the heart, sPecia
;os under the reign of the genius o.
m;r,h and good feeling to which thi:
anniversary is set apart,
What bene6sence Is that under
xbicb, upon an occasion like this, al
rbri,tendom filings aside its crosses and
=. cares, and becomes for the time as
free and happy aud unrestrained in its
.nioyments, as if earth had no SORROWS,
rfs no burdens, bliss no limit and hope
No dsrkening of days! Infancy and
childhood with rattle, doll or top OF
drpm. triumphant in the charities OF
s,xrI CLAUS, to which the plethoric
stockings of Christmas morning
hsar solemn witness, prattle, shout
and are glad in the innocence that
makes KRIS KRINGLE q grave reality,
and allows no question of those verita-
HE chimney visitations which from
rim. immemorial have been associated
in the youthful mind with the COM
mo of "Merry Christians Sturdy
bovhood, ubiquitous with skate or
led, or rejoicing in holiday pyro-
,schnics, grows ruddy with the
frost. and greets the joyous season with
4 yrand welcome shout that startles the
old year in his decline. Young maiden
hood. hardly confessing as yet the first
rbourhts of dress and lover, and the
sweet vision of ring and altar, grows
radiant in the beauty that Christmas
merry-making calls to the cheek, and
discovers new charms in the struggles
With modesty, consequent upon an at
tempt to reconcile that last warm clasp
Of the hand with the dignitics and pro-
prieties of the hour. The lover becomes
more fond aud doubly silly in his ex'
hiLitions Of tender sentiment and de-
ilcious Ronsense, Of which the daintiest
gifts, with the softest Inscriptions, for
noese but hers, are the outward and vlsl'
bic s;gn; hot aud cold, jealous and serene
bv turn he grows, as the gatherings oi
.b. season, bring with them occasions
Of aoph, aud hope and rivalry and con-
,s,,sd confidence. Husbands and
,sjrrs. f.thers and matrons find the
,veetest joys of the year in preparing
the surprises, the gifts, the good things
far little folks, quiet tokens of regard
for the big aud unlimited happiness for
al and if there be left those who yet
HDger to listen to the prattling of their
,blldren's children, conscious of life
veil spent and thankful for the proVl-
lrucs that brightens its close, looking
,a,m!y from earthly scenes to those that
lie not, they remember the Mission
Though which they have both faith aud
k3p,, sndI fervently "thank COP for
Christmas"
All the world hastens with joyous
impulse TO glorify the day afresh with
f,,sl crowns of flowers, with boughs OF
s,.roery, with the solemn incense of
praise, With loving banquets, with sport
We games and beguiling toys-with all
lhst satisfies and cheers and sleyates
he heart of man. The immense power
yiChristianity is nowhere more appar-
sa, than IN this universal homage and
delight which surrounds the cradle OF
he Divine Infant, and the innocence OF
childhood and all its sweet, engaging
Eay, take holier lustre and derive a
deeper charm in the light of those rays
,asd By the star above the manger OF
bz;l.ehem.'
The sweetest music ever youchsafed
'ob1man ears, descended like heavens
ycuediction on that memorable morn,
Sel, nigh two thousand years ago, when
slgel voices sang down from the quiet
.k!s. shove the plains of Bethlehem,
Glory to God in the Highest. and on
Earth Peace. Good Will toward Men"
All through the centuries thatsweet re-
Tain has been ringing, charming with
Is tenderness as a sentiment, thrllllng
With its sublimity ss a command. May
Zap its primary Specification is that OF
'piritual harmony among individuals,
bat who shall deny its force as q pre-
s-pt for national guidance Who shall
sy that it comes not home to this
';nrken land to-day, speaking, if we
'a; heard its voice, the potent peace be-
I'll! to all our troubles Who shall say
Ia; il indicates not the true path to
nifty and harmony' Surely the doc
tine Of Peace on Earth, Good Will to-
Tirl Men," is the best basis of national
;sluion, for il is the reconstruction
''llcy Of Cop himself.
Peace on Earth, Good Will toward
Men" Every circumstance ef our re-
cent history pleads for it. 1t is de-
handed by the desolste fields Of the
south; it is demanded by the CONNER
elal disasters aud the industrial dis
Yeas Of the North. Ten broken and
AAiterel States, prostrste beneath
'as iron heel of oppression, mutely but
'.o2uently ask for an application of the
Io'Pel of Peace. Crippled aud shat
tired manhood, hAlting throughout the
7agth aud breadth OF. this land, offer q
a'0rnful argument in its behalf Wild
''aoOd and orphsnsge, lading every
o'teze that passes palace gate or cottage
Goet with the sighs of bereavement ane
"''ov, wall out their petition for III
'7eognition. The perished heroes o.
10th sections, North and South, meet
'aSln concord aud smity in that spirit
realm where wars come not and the
"'lte Of mortality ceases to be heard