Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-12-22

period Of delightful excitement in Eng
land. 1t is gratifying to see that home
feeling completely aroused which holds
so powerful a place in every English no
son. The preparations making on every
side for the social board that is again to
unite friends and kindred; the presents
of good cheer passing and repassing,
those tokens of regard, and quickeners
of kind feelings; the evergreens distrib-
uted about houses and churches, en-
blems Of peace and gladness all these
have the most pleasing effect in produc-
ing fond associations, and kindIing BEN
evOlent sympathies. Even the sound of
the Waits, rude as may he their min
strclsy, breaks upon the mid-watches Of
a winter night with the effect of perfect
harmony. AS l have been awakened by
them in thatstill and solemn hour, when
deep sleep fllleth upon man, I have
listened with hushed delight, and, con-
Meeting them with the sacred and ioy-
Gus occasion, have almost fancied them
into another celestial choir, announce
ing peace and goodwill to mankind.
How delightfully."- the imagination,
when wrought upon by these moral in
fluences, turns every thing to melody
and beauty! The very growing Of the
cock, heard sometimes in the profound
repose Of the country, telling the night
watches to his fcathery DANES was
thought by. the common people to an
nomce the approach of this sacred festi-
val.
Some say that ever 'gainst Tint season comes
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
This bird Of duwning singath all night long;
Aud then. they say, spirit dares stir abroad;
The nights are whclesome-thcn no planets strike,
No fairy takes, no witch hath power to charm
So hallowd and so gracious is the time"
Amidst the general call to happiness.
the hustle of the spirits, and stir of the
affections, which prevail at this period,
what bosom can remain insensibIe! It
is, indeedi the season of regenerated
feeling--the season for kindling, not
merely the fire of hospitalityin the hall,
but the genial flame of charity in the
heart
The scene of early love again rises
green to memory beyond the sterile
waste of. f.years; and the idea Of home,
fraught with the fragrance of home
dwelling joys, terminates the dropping
spirit; as the Arabian breeze will some
times wait the freshness of the distant
fields to the weary pilgrim Of the desert,
Stranger and sOjourner as I am in the
land-though for me no social hearth
may blaze, no hospitable roof throw op-
en- its doors, nor the warm grasp offriend-
ship welcome me at the threshOld-yet
feel the influence of the season beaming
into my soul from the happy looks of
these around me. Surely happiness is
reflective, like the light of heaven; and
every countenance, bright with smiles,
and glowing with innocent enjoyment,
is mirror transmitting to others the
rays of a supreme and evershining be-
InevOlence. He who can turn churlishlv
away from contemplating the felicity of
his fellow beings, and can sit down dark
ling and repining in his loneliness when
all around is joyful, may have his mo-
ments Of strong excitement and selfish
qualification, but he wants the genial
and social sympathies which constitute
the charm of merry Christmas.