The New York herald., 1871-12-25
SoNa OF TIE Poor Can HORSE IN SroRlrY
WEXTEER-'s.A "A heart bound down by weight
cLristmssa Fact. ANA specaIasi.n,,

gnl CkristmaS tFaCts and SpocuIAtiens. hrF
One common thought and one theme agl-
tated the Christian pulplts Of this city, and
probably Of the whole land, yesterday. The
thought Was Of the wondreus love OF God, and
the theme the manifestations of that love in Tho
birth of jesus Christ, whose natal anniversary
the Christian world commemorates to-day.
And such has been the progress Of Christian
ity in those latter days that not only through
out Christendom, but In heathendom also, is
this marvellous event celebrated on this 25th
day Of December. The subject and the occa-
sion are such as to invite speculation, and
some Of the pulpit preachers yesterday In
dulged little therein The Rev. DR.. Foss,
in St. Paurs Methodist Episcopal church, while
introducing his audience to the manger-cradle
Of Bethlehem and its Divine occupant, and
dwelling on The object Of the Saviour's mission,
gave them also some historic facts and specula-
tions regarding the magii whom he considered
to be Persian astronomers, chosen by God 70
receive this announcement, because the Persian
religion was then the least impure, they be-
lieving in and worshipping one God, the
Creator Of all things. The ancient FIRE wor-
ship the Doctor considered was derived from
Noses interview with God in the burning bush,
which was well known to the ancient heather.
The fire was taken as the best expression Of
the Deity, and thus the unseen God was wor-
shipped. Because of the fulness and freeness
of the salvation provided in the Gospel and by
the life and death of Christ DR.. Foss had good
hopes to see Socrates and other heather phi
losophers in heaven. And SO have we. And
many that are first shall be last, and the last
shall be first there, notwithstanding our theo-
logical notions and dogmas. sIe
The second coming of Christ was suggested
to the mind Of DR.. Thompson by the recur-
renee of this festival, and he called the atten-
tion of Christ church protestant EpiscopaL
to 1t, and encouraged them not to become dis
heartened nor weary by the length of the
journey nor the roughness Of the way with the
thought that by and by they shall enter into
rest. DR.. Ogilby saw in the Christmas anni-
versary an occasion for humility in the
example Of Him whose birth we celebrate, and
urged tho Trinity congregation to bow their
heads and their hearts If they would know the
Saviour and be like him. But, according to
Mr. rockingham, the coming Of Christ or His
life and teachings has not added anything
to tho teachings or the old classics and
ante-classic sages Of the world, and hence
there is no moro benefit in trying to be like
Him than there il in being like Socrates,
Zoroaster, Confucius or any other man. Such
faith may do for Mr.. Frothiogham, but It evil
IDENTITY does not suit the Christian world, nor
indeed the heather, who arc rapidly forsaking
Confucius and Buddhs and following Jesus Of
Nasareth. And, - DR.. Hall beautifully and
eloquently explained, it 10 only through His
blood that We can be cleansed and made meet
for heaven. And were We to scale heavens
high wall, and thus enter, We should have no
Fellowship o. sympathy among the blood
washed throng who day and night praise and
magnify His love.
The eloquent rector OF the Church Of the
Holy Trinity touched on the supernatural
signs which heralded the Saviour's birth and
death--a carpenters child and yet the son Of
= virgin. Poverty and disgrace were His
heritage on earth, aud, with His life and holy
example before us, Mr.. Tying thought there
was nothing 80 contemplate to Christian as
the yauuted pride and caste Of life on Christ