The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-25


A happy Christmas to yen, dear CRESCENT. A
happy Christmas greeting. dear reader. Ia
Christ indeed born 10 your heart this blessed day,
Win you not hear this remark repeatedly passing
in fretful tones, as the day draws to close, and
the compainer has no. yet been the gratided re-
cipieDt of some gift "Oh, dear. no one cares
enough for me to send me present" 1t is
great mistake, dear reader, iamentable mistake.
Every breathing and accountable soul was aud is
offered valuable gift on every birthday Of
Christ, but strange to say it will not be accepted.
NO money Is asked, no price put upon II. Freely
given, 1t must be as freely taken. Would YOU
know somewhat Of ills jewel, readerf The
present offered to you, II is diamond rich. shark.
ling, large radiant, beautiful and of untold value.
the pure diamondiof. Chrst's love, watered by the
rivers of grace that from "beneath His affairs
aOw." BE offers il to-day. VIII you accept II
Its great beauty consists in the wearing Of it;
and when once worn it can never be lost and
will shine more and more until the perfect day.
Wear it, reader, and you will be "girded with
light as with garment II is treasure hidden
from the outward eye. Trials will come temp
tstion, sickness. disease. even death bat the
priceless jewel Of Chriss love sheds its lustrous
rsys piercing even to the dark corners OF the be-
liever's heart. "His life is hid with Christian
God" Dear reader, Jesus was born for
you. Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea in the days of Herod, the king behold
there came wise men from the East unto Jerusa.
lem, saying, Where Is He that is born king OF
the Jewsg for we have His star 10 the east
and are come TO worship Him." Matt. 2: L, 2.
Be also died for you that He might bring yoa
salvation, died an igDominous death on the cross
took on Hin the nature of man, suffered ia all
things as you have; was tempted; but without
sin. Surely Be bath borne our griefs and carried
our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken,
smi ten OF God, and afflicted. But He was wound
ed for our trans gTessioDs, He was bruised for our
iniquites: the cbsstisemeut OF our peace was upon
Him; and with His stripes we are healed. Isaiah
81 4th and 9th verses. OBJ let not another Christ.
mas roll over your head without coming to God
you may not nave the same chance again viii
you deny Him the only boon required at your
hands for all this boundless love your whole heart
and life for His servicess II but little in return
for His thirty years Of suffering and bearing the
sins Of an entire world on His shoulders and for
sakeD of God even In His death agony, all for you
Give Christ His demand and you will never regret
IL. You who have not yet received His holy gift,
ask for II to-day; II is not too late His spirit
pleads with yours, He knocks at your door. on,
ciose'it not against Hin. He loves the veriest
sinner among you. Come now and let us reason
together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as
scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though
they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
lsaish LIST: 18th verse. Dear reader, let not an
other Christmas find these Borrowing words re-
echoed In your hearts. Ye will not come uuto me
that ye might have life. St. John 8: 10th verse;
Another word in the ears OF those who have
plenty on this day. whose board teens with all the
Injuries of life. To you would say 10 the words
OF a devoted servant of GOD, "Will YOU dare to
SIT down TO your table, smoking with good things
without having first 10 the wants OF the poor7
Can you with good conscience eat and be died
when you know that some (perhaps your Door re-
lsnons) whom your purse might reach, are starv-
ing for the common necessaries OF life ?f And 70
you who have only enough give of your mite and
God will reward you. He that giveIh TO the Door
lendeth to the Lord. And you, dear Christians.
forget nota kind word 70. Jesus sake. These are
eventf0l tines reader, and we may look for
Christs star in the east any day. We must watch
and prsy, for the night is far spent the day is at
hand; therefore we must put off the works of
darkness and pat on us the armor of lizht.
Watch, therefore: for ye know not what hour
your Lord doth come.-Matthew "a: 42d " It
may be at even, or at midnight. or at the cock
crow, or in the mOrninR.-Mark 10: 45th v. Dear
readers | would end with happy Christmas to
GU and
"A meeting in that happy land,
Not far away;
Where Christ Ia glory stands
Bright. bright, as day."
And. Oh may the sun Of His love rise on vour
heart never 10 set through time and eternity
JPDA