The New York herald., 1870-12-26

conferred upon humanity by Christianity than
the unanimity with which persons Of all sects
and creeds do honor to the natal day Of Christ
We doubt not that even the Jew and infidel In
our midst were not lacking in a certain self
satisfaction and undefinable feeling of plea
sure on the anniversary; for though they
reject Christ as divine being they cannot
refuse to recognize His coming on Earth as
the opening of a new era which was to confer
and has conferred inestimable blessings upon
mankind Our civilization, so much gentler
and tenderer than that of the Hebrews and
pagans before the birth OF Christ, attests that
He indeed came to bestow peace and good will
upon all men. War, with Its countless vic
TINS may seem to mock the claims of Chris
tianity; but even in the war of to-day may
be seen the influence Of our reli-
gion, mitigating its horrors and sup
planting with charity and magnanimity
the brutal ferocity Of bygone ages. And
something more has come from Christianity.
It has elevated man to proper manhood; it
has converted woman-the drudge, toy slave
of twenty centuries ago-to the condition of q
companion OF man, equal to him In every
proper respect. Why need we further reca-
pitulate the great benefits Christianity has con-
ferred upon mankind? More brilliant than
the rays of the sun, their light falls upon every
heart and gladdens every home.
There was so much unanimity in the ideas
expressed in the sermons delivered yesterday
that to mention those of one preacher is to
make the reader familiar with the ideas of all
Christ was the theme, aud the wondrous re-
suits which have followed His birth were the
burdens of the discourses.~ But we do not
the sermons. So many reflections arise from
a contemplation of oil the good which
Christ has done that we never tire
Of the oft-repeated story Of His birth.
Diyest Him even of the robes Of divinity and
He still remains a great, unapproachable
figure, the spirit and incarnation of all that is
pure and righteous, tender and merciful, low
ing and just. The greatest benefactor the world
ever had, alteration and praise of Him natu-
rally spring from our love and gratitude. And
the spectacle presented yesterday of Catholic
and Methodist, Episcopalian and Baptist,
Presbyterian and Congregationalist, and all
the other numerous sects of Christianity,
ceasing for the day to disregard the teachings
of the Sermon on the Mount by searching care
fully for the notes in their brothers eyes and
uniting in praise of Christ-such q spectacle
was indeed one TO crafty the Christian and
humanitarian. There was little in what DIR.
Chaplin said which Father Clancy could not
agree with and nothing in the sermon of Rev.
Mr.. Richardson which could not meet hearty
response from Rev. Chauncey Giles. And in
like manner Rev. Mr. Morrill,, Dr. Schenck,
Rev. Mr.. Meredith and other clergymcn in
this city united in ignoring their theological
differences and confining their discourses to the
subject of the ''Saviour's birth" Even
Brother Beecher's gentle reminder to his con-
gregation that the auction of pews at Plymouth
church would take place next week did not
OF course to this general unanimity there
were some exceptions. AT few Of the
churches the preachers went out Of their way
to assail the religious dogmas of other sects
but, on the whole, in this city, Brooklyn,
Washington and elsewhere reported, Christmas
Day in the churches was marked by spirit Of
kindness and charity worthy Of the great
anniversary and Of true believers in Chris
tianity.
Nor was one saddened by the knowledge
that next Sunday and the Sunday after, and
each succeeding Sabbath day for the next
year, the preachers will resume their on
slaughts upon one anothers creeds, and that
'sPopery" and ''heresy" will be as fiercely
assailed as if Christ had never brought peace
and good will to all men. There was too
much happiness derived from the unsectarian
sermons Of yesterday for it to have been
marred by reflections upon the unpleasant
certainties Of the future.