The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-26
Christmas.

/ suppose there are many who would hEe 10
have story for Christmas more than anything
else and without doubt it does the heart GOOD.
to read stories of that old time which comes TO
us every year just as fresh and young again, as
if time had not made so disastrous mark upon
earth and its generations; for still the charm
of Christmas is as indisputable as in the years
gone by, when we used to discern its approach
through the splendor of our gifts, and the
smiles of our loved ones, who now perchance
are far from us dead, or whose interests are
divided in other directions, so that we feel no
more the fullest benefcence of their love. Still,
the hours of Christmas Eve gather US IN heart
once more around the blisses of gone experien-
ces. even though the reality is not to be grasped
But though there are advantages in giving you
all a Christmas story, think little quiet re-
Election upon this lesson will not do any one
harm. Everybody will soon be shouting "mer-
nv Christmas" but not every one knows what
it means. They do not know perhaps, or if
they know it, they don't think about it as they
ought, that Christmas is holy day, that It's
meaning is at the very origin OF Christianity.
Our festivities, then, and every Joy that now
gladdens us at this season, should be nestled at
the feet of the Saviour, whose unutterable love
has given us SO great privilege, thus mus 10 De
able without profanity to mingle bis name
with our happiness. But very few, however,
treat the day as it deserves. They remember
not its sanctity, they forego its privileges, who
use it merely as time for family and friendly
reunions, as an occasion for mirth and worldly
display. We must not think of what is at the
core of all forgetfulness of Gods days and sea-
sons-a heartless turning away from duty, and
a following after the relaxations OF what is
disorderly and without law. He who discards
the festivals of the church, or any regularly
appointed times meant to be observed devoutly,
is on the highroad to disrule and disorganiza-
ton of mind and body. We are but children
at last, who, although the discipline OF the
school room and the nursery are over, yet stand
in constant need of being led: We are lett IN
one sense of the word, to wander where we will;
but in many other ways do we tlnd ourselves
hedged in and hemmed up, until it IS impossible
to do as we WISH that is if we wish to do snfuly,
unless we would openly dare the scorn of a tam
talizing world, which has no mercy for the
erring. People generally are prone just now
to be thinking a great deal more of display and
Aeshy enioyments than of devotional exercises
and pursuits that tend heavenward. 1t is so
very natural to be thinking of eating, drinking
and dressing, that we can hardly take time to
reflect that we may overdo ourselves even in
this important particular. 1t is not hard for
any sensible person to see that dressing IS not
of slight consequence. 1t is nice mark of
position. and it is intended thus to make the
indolent or the poor struggle up to it. By the
time they attain to their aim, perhaps they
have overcome habits of idleness, and learned
that they must work if they want the eye of the
public to respect them. Again, just there lies
temptation also, but that turks in every apple
of qualification that presses our lips. Just then,
when they have learned to fear the worlds
scorn, they are apt to fear it too much; when
they have learned to covet its respect, they are
apt to set too much value upon 1t; and here
we see the intention of Providence, in assign
ing us new work for every progressive step we
take.
The same reasoning may be applied to eat
ing, and drinking, and rational amusements.
The labor necessary for the purchase of COM
forts and luxuries elevates and lifts us to In
dependence Why did the poet say "labor is
worship?" He must have had some elevated
reasoning in view to make such declaration
reasonable.
I have not digressed from my subject. l
have kept in my mind all the time how these
arguments may be applied usefully to this
present occasion, when too many, in round OF
dissipation, will not have Saviour to remem-
ber. or that this blessed, sacred season Is the
first born of His redeeming love. 1t is day
to cheer the sinners heart-who is not sim
ner? Point me out the mortal who is not
sinner, and at the same moment will show
YOU one who may give to his passions or appe-
tites free, uncontrolled vent, because 1t Is
Christmas.
The greatest misery of poverty is, that it is
so apt to forget everything but itself. 1t has so
many unsatisfed desires, and so many hard
pinches has it to bear, that it often looks no
r IL. inv 0f
Should this be the case with the prosperous or
the wealthy9 One of wealth's richest gifts, is
the leisure it affords to look into the wants OF
the needy; and the anxiety for them, which in
generous bosoms must grow, inspired by what
it discovers of distress.
There is a burden upon our hours OF Idle
ness, then, a beggar upon every days income,
a wall of sorrow from the hungry and the
naked to temper our feelings OF excess, and
anxiety to sober our superabundant joys as we
gather round our happy fresides and our we'll
filled boards
AS the old cry of "merry Christmas" greets
us, will any of us remember how many there
are to whom it will bring no merriness? VIII
we have one thought to send forth or one prayer
for the poor prisoners, one for the sick, one Tor
the wretched upon whom that day will shed no
ray of light? Will we remember the hungry
eyes that are strained in vain ~ hoping that
some good angel may send them little morsel
of bread upon that great day when everything
seems to TEEN with plenty2 Are they praying
for breadf Why may not some of US answer
that calf ,
have told you all Christmas story which
is no romance. Would you test its reality 60
in search and see and you will find that truth
is stranger than fiction"
May the shout of "merry Christmas" ascend
from many a heart, won to the love Of God
through the love of its fellow man. o believe
me when say i'll know 1t from experlenceC
man Quicker to its God than the love of its
fellow mortal; and there is nothing more dan.
gerous than the withdrawal of sympathy and
Christian fellowship.
The steadiest Christians have been known to
falter for want of fellowship. The hand that
has been "put to the plow" for years, has been