New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-25
CHRISTMAS MORALS AND CHRISTMAS NER-
RIHENT

upon this merry CnrlsIInas hioinln6' """ WIZ
ill-humored enough to play Timon at our
Christmas tables, it would not be difficult 10
say satiric things of the small benefit which
this world has derived from the faith OF which
the present anniversary marks tho advent
Between orr profession and our performance
there are always wide gaps which are both SAD
and ludicrous and it is no more than an acknow-
ledgment Of the infrmity of Human Nature
70 admit that we have not very sedu-
lousy improved the great chances when
have been vouchsafcd to US. But the
best evidence of the truths of Christianity
is the nvincible force with which, in spite OF
our indifference and selfishness, they continue
TO advance first mitigating and finally sweep
ing away the most obstinate social evils. III Is
surely something that our cheerfulest holiday
is, nominally at least, religious one. IL Is
the charm of Christmas that it happily marks
the distinction between gentle ana generous
faith, seeking expression in Thousand acts OF
benevolence, and that bigOted asceticism whlchis
but grimly earnest and does not shrink from
the coarse expedicnts of physical coercion.
He who is disposed to cavil at the limited
influence which Christianity has exercised over
human history is refuted partly by the
pure domestic pleasures of which TINS
is the dedicated season, and partly by the
general tendency of all sects to eliminate from
their ecclesiastical policy the resort to barbara
ties of persecution which, two centuries ago,
were thought to be quito consistent both with
civilization and humanity. Mr.. Buckle, II his
excellent history. advances tho leading pro-
position that one of the great enemies OF
Civilization is "the notion that society cannot
| "prosper unless the affairs of life are watched
| cover and protected at nearly every turn by
"the Church and State; the State teaching
omen what they are to do, and the Church
"teachIng them what they are to believe
We may be wrong; but if it be an error TO
suppose that both in politics and religion men
have never exhibited so restless dlsCOn-
tent under these tyrannies rs at present.
this morning, at least, error has Its value,
and it is agreeable to be deceived
IL Truth and Right and Justice do
not advance, let us dream to-day that it is
otherwise that the iron hand of the tyrant is
losing its weight and its cunning; that the
narrow formula of the priest is no longer the
Procrustean standard of the intellect and the
heart; that the worst elements of Feudalism no
more cOerce and control the masses, and that
its redeeming peculiartics are retained only for
the benefit of the poor and lowly. Shameful
wrongs yet remain in the world to be rghted;
but they cannot now intimidate great pOpula-
tons otherwise comparatively enlightened
they are not sheltered by timidity and super
stitiOn from denunciation ; nor are they meekly
submitted to az necessities of civil order. We
may be far from the point of possible perfec-
ton, but we are most BEAUTIFULLY and happily
disconnected. We have Outlived the era OF stolld
and accomplishing endurance; albeit we are
the remote descendants Of those who Rugged
their chains as badges of honor, and were con-
tent to serve their lords with canine fdel-
ity Tho world. thank Heaven has lasted
long enough to outgrow the era of
irrational submission and the science of king
craft is now no more reputable and no more
potential than tho " science" Of alchemy. That
beautiful doctrine of brotherly love which, out
of all religions, Christianity alone AYERS to be
of primary Importance, is making itself felt in
the closets of kings and in the chambers of
Congresses, is taking the bitter falsehOOd out
of diplomacy and readjusting international ro-
lations upon basis of veracious comfy.
There is much TO undo; there is more to
learn; there are grave experiments to be tried
there are many blunders yet to be made and
TO be corrected; but as we have discovered
that peace, if We are but honest, is possible,
and that good will is not dream of fanciful
Optimists every failure will be q step toward
success, and every mistake will contain the
germ of its own rectihcation. IL is this truth
which makes our festive observation Of the
Advent of Christianity something better than
mere hypocritcal pretense, and something more
earnest than bitter irony.
Retiring from these broader cancellations
to the more intimate pleasures which glorify
our holiday. we encounter at once the divine
secret of social progress in the existence and
the influence of Home; in those local and
domestic propensities which distinguish us from
the nomadic races, and which lend to our lives
the charm of love given and of love returned;
the unselfsh Qualifications of mutual support,
the grace of tender "reminiscences, the cOnsola-
tons of sympathy, and lively hope of the
happiness which tho years have yet in store
for those who are dear to us. In no popularity
of our constitution is the Divine Benefcence
more patent than in the absolute necessity
which we naturally feel of giving and receiving
affection. There is O common assent TO the
excellence of these unselfish impulses in all our
literature, in all the domestic affairs which we
consecrate, in our betrothals. our marriages, and
our baptisms, in the glad welcome with which
we hail the gifts of children to bear up our
names and to keep still running the
csrrent of the family blood; and
there is still deeper although sadder
assent when tho hour of separation
has arrived, and tho funeral shadows curtain
us for comfOrtless season.. With our coarse