Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-01-12
BIZ HON. SCHUYLER coLFAx.


It's happy thing that holidays occur
In midwinter. The bleakness and rigors
of that frigid season, which shrowds the
earth 10 snow and lock up the running
stream with ice, too often turn the Key
on sickness and infancy, and deny To
thousands that outdoor life so bracing
and invigorating. But with the dying
DAYS of the Old Year comes that "week oil
holidays" to which SO many, old anu
young, rich and poor, invalid and health
full, look forward with joyful anticipation
Parent and child. employed often have
cause to bless the week OF holidays. al
lection is illustrated, faithful service ap-
preclated more during that week than any
other of the revolving year. 1t opens
with the anniversary of the Savior's birth.
II ends with the birthday OF the New
Year.-And all Christendom agrees that 1t
should be "A week of cheerfulness and hap
piness. even of miyh and merriment. 1t
NAV not be unfiitiing, however. before
the Christmas tree is reared and its branch
as filled. before the New Years festivities
warm and gladden. the heart, that we
should consider in how many ways we
might make this week brighter and more
Gladstone 90 those around us than ever
before. And hence venture a few sug-
gestions based on that striking antithesis
of Mohammed:
"When a man dies. the people ask
What property has he left behind himi'
But the angels, as they bend over his
grave, inquire, What good deeds hast
Thou sent before thee?
And first would suggest, as 0 duty as
wei as labor OF love-:
Seek ont and rejoice the hearts OF the
poor. In The unequal distribution OF the
wealth of the world they are ever at your
doors. Prospered yourself in the worlds
goods. blessed in basket and in store, you
can scarcely realize the hardships OF their
lot. Struggling against reverses, against
destituiion. against temptation, the path
they daily tread is full of therns, while
yours is lined with flowers. Ii you have
never tasted The Joy that active benevo-
lence brings TO the heart of the cheerful
giyer; if you would realize that charity
Is twice blessed"-blessing him that gives
even more than those who receive: if you
would feel an unwonted thrill of pleasure.
seek out some widow who strives Dy hon
est ind ustry TO earn livelihood TOR her
sell and the little ones left her 20 care for,
and send 10 her humble home The -four
and wood or MEET that will make 1.-The
week of holidays" so happy toher And,
as you sit by your bright fire at night,
with those you love around you, the
thought that you have made one family
happier at this festai period will be your
abundan: reward. There is an inspired
promise, too, for such good works:
BLESSED is he that considere,h the poor.
The Lord will deliver him in trouble, the
Lord will preserve him and keep him
alive; and he shall be blessed upon the
earth"
Visit the sick. Around you are those
Frustrated on beds Of anguish by consum-
ing fever or incurable maladies. Their
DAYS are full of pain; their nights weary
with watching for the morn. The tide of
busy, active life around them sweeps on,
regardless of these almost unnoticed ed
dies. Comrades and neighbors miss
them, perhaps, from their accustomed
place, but business, domestic cares, inces-
SAINT duties consume their time, and the
invalid suffers comparatively alone.
Bring sunshine 10 this afflicted household.
Light up this darkened hearthstone by
your cheerful presence, Warm this chill
ed heart by genial kindness and sympathy
and assistance-by needed comforts for
the body, by the oil of consolation for the
heart
Make your own home happier. If, DE-
ring the year, any root OF ofierse has
grown up, extirpate it. If love has
abated, rekin6'e il. 1t is an easy work;
for. as the rnagnetizeG steel attracts, so
does the heart, filed with affection. III
rich In possessions, and some comfort of
life has been lacking. something to make
work less toilsome and wearing in your
household, remember that the one by
your side has given her life TO you and
yours. and make her heart happy as the
bells ring in the New Year Tor her and
you. ;.
with the old year in which they were
bern Happy is he who lives at peace
with all mcn. Unhappy the man who,
stern and unconciliating, allows differen-
ces which his neighbors TO increase In
number and intensity with time
Better, far better, TO make advances Tor
concord's sake. even If your conscience
acuuits you of wrong in your controver-
sizes. How often a lew kind words aud q
frank and manly exp lanatIon dissipate all
antagonism and restore eslrahged neigh
bors TO all their old friendly relations
Remember your employees. Ii you are
one who has those under you 10 whom
ron say Come, and he cometh, or Go, and
he goeth-who give you the labor of their
sinews and muscles. the power OF their
arm or their brain-let them share II
ever SO slightly, in your prosperity that
Their week oil holidays may be cheered
with some unexpected delight, that their
families may rejoice as yours does at the
advent of a period consecraied to beneyo-
cnce and goodwill.
NEGLECT not your debts AS far as pos
sible, commerce the new year owing nc
man an, thing but love" l refer DOW more
especially I" small debts-the indebted,
ness 70 tradesmen, mechanics, professions
men, laborers, and the suppliers OF youl
daily household needs More than at any
other season, they neet it now; for they
have debts to liquidate, and fam lilies who
are looking to the holidays with joyous
hope and eager anticipation. What you
owe may light up a household with glad
ness: withheld, il may darken 1t with dis
appointment
/ In a word. purge yourself OF selhshness
1 This Is a DeSctt1ug san. lfOin WHICH All Va "
should pray to be delivered. Living TO
self alone, men carry with them IN theil
graves hearts of steel and faces of IRON
Gle, austere. repulsive, no noble CHART,
affects their souls. no generous act unlock
their hears. no blessings are invoked OF
their beads.-But in seeking to max
others happy. you will cause constall
influx of gladness into your own heart
and will make yourself indeed love.
while living. and mourned when dead
To close, as commenced, you will SEN
tyour good deeds before you, richer pos
session than all the wealth that you ma
leave behind you-
Il Condensed into coIuun, | have bu
barely glanced at thoughts deemed nc
inappropriate for the holiday season.
might have amplfied further on tiers
and truthful sentiment in q recent addre<
of Rev. Robert Colyer: of Chicago-ths
ssrnoney can he an ANGEL of darkness or q
angel of light, and is posses sor may b
either its master or its slave" But l onl
add that those who strive 10 bless such q
have been less fortunate than themselve
, to shield the helpless from the roug
! winds OF adversely, TO assuage the sorrow
: of the giefstricken, to make the con