New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-12-24

Then the Christian world selyed ON n'h' MINUS
him an example, intends 10 regale anu dis-
cipline itself into clcnncr morality by putting
him 10 n brutal death. Christ saw IN the
thief upon The cross The man that might have
been, aud spoke to him. "This night thou
shalt be with me in Paradise HIS fol-
lowers to-day sec in this Other misused poor
life q homeless evil, for which the only remedy
is to blot it out forever. Perhaps he fancies,
for hope is strong. If he had but year-a
month-to wnsh the blood-stains of, the gulf
that yawned before him at his birth might
yet he crossed. But there is not year or
month He sits and waits; and there arc
hundreds in his case in condemned cells, all
over the country, waiting with him. Az IL IA
Christmas they have dinner of turkey. ana
listen, as they eat it, while the CLOCKS on
Christian churches tick of the hours until
Christian fingers shall slip the moose. and take
the last chance of forgiveness from them
Talk Of Christian daylightS What's here
beside foul weather.
Down the street comes another young fellow
with the very genial spirit of the day IN his
clear eye and strong, friendly voice A man
of education and natural power whole-hearted
unsclish, with strong religious Instincts: inc
boy, it is most likely. of all her sons WHOM
the mothers eye lights quickest to welcome
a man who is fitted to be power IN tho
world for its cheer and help. But he las
pbysical disease, inherited, most probably, IN
stomach and blood which Graves stimnant
and stimulant is death-nOt, thank God, dam
nation. The Christian world thinks it is both.
Yet it places it in this boys path at every
step, legalzes the glttering shops that offer 1t
to him with every bcwildering temptation.
Shut his eyes az he may, struggle as he may
for the struggle is for life, as he knows-hc
cannot shut it out. Christian women Will Of
fer it TO him tomorrow to drink in token of
his rejoicing that Christ has come Through
the length and breadth Of the land the doors
will be wide open into which the gaunt army
enter who, like himself. are going down to
death, and it is the will of the Christian world
that they should continue to be kept open.
Our readers ask. very likely, if it is worth
while to drag OUT these horrors on this last
occasion. on which wo can address them before
the anniversary that, of all others, ought to be
bright and warm. For the children, we acknowl-
edge, it ought to be bright and warm; they
have no business to know anything more OF
Christmas Day than the story of the Divine
Child who was born in the stable yonder on
the hills Of Judea to make the world happier
and better. Make them rejoice for that birth
day by Santa Claus, or trees, or candies. or
whatever will most strongly gladden. and
tighten it for them. And, in the name of that
Holy Child Jesus, let us not only keep these
things out of the sight of the innocent chill
drcn. but so rid the world OF them that when
they are grown the birth of that child may
appear to them neither q fable nor failure.
But to us men and women Christmas IL
something more than time for Teasing or
friendly greetings, or even almsgiYings
These, gracious and welcome as they are, are
but the symbols of its real meaning. Out OF
that mysterious birth in the stable has grown
whatever advance in intelligence. or freedom,
or humanity the world has yet made, OF the
chance of it hereafter. 1t means not only the
enfranchisement of great nations, but 1t was
the first recognition of the divine element in
every man, the possibility of his help and
cure. The Chaldean kings and sages crossed
| the desert and paid homage in the Babe to
! divine royalty and wisdom; but the shep-
| herds, "whO left their focks a-feeding in
! tempest storm, and wind,' found Him
| "yhcre oxen fed on hay poorer than
the poorest, the long waited for Brother
and Helper of the vilcst of Gods crea-
lures. On that day, if no other We COM
prehend that the human blood in our veins
flowed in that of Christ, and of the drunkard
and the murderer; and with the weight of
that awful brotherhood upon rs. let us go out,
not only with gifts in our hands, but loving
words, "a He sent us to bring them nearer TO
Him that they also may feel the healing touch
of the wondrous Infants hand. Let us look
closely, before another Christmas day, whether
| we. who call ourselves by His name, do not
| belle Him to those who are strangers to both
our customs and our laws. When these things
are set right, the carol we have delayed to
sing will have different meaning:
"Then TO the Child sing praises
All you within this place.
| And with true love AMI brotherhood
Each other embrace;
Aud the holy tide OF Christmas
All others shall deface."
|
THE PURIT1N JUBTLEE.
The accomplishment of the first quarter Of