New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-25
CHR1BfHAs DAT.


with Joy or sorrow a. they look over tho
years Of their, lives now passed With
ioy to those who recall the blessings show
cred upon them and theirs by kind
and benifcent Creator, and with. sorrov
| to those who have been afflicted in body,
mind and estate, or who have had near
and dear ones taken away by war, disease,
pestilence, and the casualties on land and
| water To the former, the day is one OF
gladness, Thanksgiving and praise for ner-
cies past, and to the latter, tears and sighs,
because the loved forms are now moulder-
ing away in the silent tomb.
How many households since the last
Christmas day have vacant places in their
midst, in remembrance whereof the SUP
vivors are clad in the habiliments ofwoe?
One year ago, with them it WAS day OF
rejoicing, but now it is one Of mourning.
We would rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep. and to the
latter in the words of the poet we say:
But trust him for his grace:
Behind browning Providence
He hides q smiling face
"IIis purposes win rpcn fast,
Unfolding every hour,
The bud nav have a better taste,
But sweet will be the flower"
To the rich the day comes with the
sound of gifts and gaiety. while TO the
poor no cheering ray enters their habita-
ton, and as the former enjoy the COM
forts and pleasures which their wealth
affords, let them not forget the latter in
their loneliness and privn4ion. Among all
civilized nations of this earth, the day
brings to the believer in risen Savior
hallowed remembrance Of the time when
in the fertile plains of Palestine, over
eighteen hundred years ago, the shep-
herds attending their docks received the
glorious announcement of good tidings Of
great joy that Savior was born. for
whom the heavenly host sang 'Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will to men" From that time,
through all the years now numbered
with the past, millions upon millions
Of our race have commemorated the re-
turn Of Christmas day with rejoicing over
the event which gave them Savior
who, in his life, conduct, character and
death, overturned an old dispensation Of
sacrifcial types. and substituted q new one
of belief, purity, holiness, and sacrifice of
mans evil thoughts. actionsand passions.
Well has late English writer remarked
that never since the world began has
there been religion founded upon an
idea, as upon the divinity ora human
being, so successful and 80 progressive in
the elevation of peoples in morals, and
those virtues which make men pure and
good, as that which has been built up for
eighteen centuries since the crucifxion OF
Christ, in a belief in his character es o
Ged-men, sent to establish religion
which should make man better and more
virtuous, and that should endure for ell
time. Indeed, we may rejoice and have
holiday when Christmas comes to us each
succeeding year, as time rolls on.
When the family circle meet around the
cheerful fireside or the lonely heartstone,
be it in the city's gorgeous palace, or in the
country's humble cottage, how pleasing
to find that oil are there to enjoy
the social feast. and engage in the
festivities Of tho occasion. Youth
and old age mingle and while away
the hours of the passing day with
recounting the joys and sorrows Of the
past, or indulge in the fancied anticipa-
tons of the future. How beautiful the
scene, and how delightful the prospect,
and may God grant that to these it may
long continue to be SO.
To how many in our land, then, are ab-
sent ones roaming over land or sea, who,
though absent, are not forgot on this
memorable day2 For them, prayers as
cend and tears fall, while their names are
recalled one by one and their loved forms
appear daguerreotyped before the home
circle. And to those far away though
they be, do not they remember the loved
ones at homer Can they forget the many
merry Christmas Of other days, how they
sported and played with the loving father,
q doting mother. dear brothers and sis
tiers, and the friends and the companions
of their YOUTH Happy. happy time. now
gone, never to return though lost to
sight, to memory dear"
This day is one Of peculiar interest to
that class Of our citizens who were
formerly hold in the bonds of slavery in
our land. Well may they indulge in their
sports and festivities, for they have good
cause for rejoicing. It is few short
years ago since they were in bondage, but
now, through the inscrutable DEGREES Of
an Almighty God, they enjoy the bless
ings Of liberty in the "iand Of the free,
and the home Of brave" Let their song
of rejoicing GO UP to their Heavenly
Father, that they and the generations Of
their race who shall follow them, are
never more to submit to the yoke Of servi-
tuds Or the shifting of the oppressor's
rcd. sing then, On this day, the song