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

So soon2 Can it be that Christmas has
come round once again, with its heant-stirring
influences, never more needed, never more well
come than at the closing period of the present
year? 1t seems but as yesterday that we cele-
brated its rites, and joyously opened the gates
of our affections to the pleasant associations,
and CHEEKY thoughts, and domestic charms
which it brought with it and 10! spring, sum-
mer and autumn have since glided into the past
and our old friend with the holly crown is with
us once more. He is welcome; albeit his re-
turn reminds us (every year more impressively)
of the rapidity with which we are filling up the
measure of our days. He is welcome, for he
comes to US as the symbol of light spriuging
up in darkness, and hope in desolation, and
life in death. And he is welcome for his OWN
sake, in whatever external guise he may appear
whether wrapped in clouds or glittering in
frost-for Father Christmas rs ever blithe Of
heart, and gives that kind Of impulse to jaded
spirits which freshens, and vitalizes, and beau
tifes humanity.
There are scenes, and domestic gatherings
and joyous interblendings of soul with soul,
and moments of rekindling juvenescence, and
impulses of goodwill awaiting most of us,
which should wake us up to fresh interest in
what remains to us, and make our hearts throb
with gleeful animation. To such as have we'll
nigh run their earthly career Christmas, we
trust, will present not the opportunity only,
but the inducement of sharing once more the
delicious excitements of childhood, and by the
force of that sympathy which for the time be-
ing annihilates differences of age, will furnish
common ground for qualification to grandsires
and grandchildren. Parents whose offspring
have been scattered by the stern realities and
vicissitudes of life will, in numberless instan-
ces, rejoice in seeing them collected again in
the family group, and will proudly indulge the
fond feelings which, even when most latent in
the bosom, never lose their inherent vitality.
Brothers and sisters will come together from
different scenes, different pursuits, different
ranges of experience, to commune with unre-
served familiarity, and to fan into flame the
smouldering embers of fraternal love. Friends
whose paths in life seldom cross each other
will keep the annual tryst, and, in personal
converse over the festive board, renew and
strengthen the ties which bind them one to an
other. Myriads upon myriads will re-enter the
circle of hallowed affection of which home is
the CENTRE and with traditional observances
and customary rites, with innocent mirth and
laughter of the heart, will rebuild the house
hold altar, and yet once again place thereupon
the offering due to family unity.
Ought not Christmas, also, considering what
it looks back upon, to throw increased life into
our charity? The word has two Specifications,
and We here employ it in both. There is
charit, of the heart as we'll as charity of the
hand-a spirit which searches for the good
rather than the evil of mems lives-which is
more eager to discover beauties than blemishes,
which lovingly interprets other peoples senti-
ments and deeds, and which delights in heal
ing differences wherever they will admit of be-
ing healed 1t exquisitely becomes human ma
ture at all times it is especially becoming at
this season. All the ordinary forms of intol-
erance and bigotry, and of asceticism in the
feelings and the judgment droop, or ought to,
in the genial moral atmosphere of this choicest
of holidays, the latent heat of which, if we may
presume to use the figure, is unfavorable to
their growth. Controversy may we'll rejoice to
doff its stiff mail and throw aside its arms Of as
saut for short interval, and let the quarrels
of the world temporarily subside to rest, and,
to some appreciable extent we are glad to be-
lieve that such is the case. May it be SO more
than ever this year, since truce is this year is
more than ever to be desired?
But to the charity of the hand our holly
crowned friend has always been particularly
suggestive and helpful. In fact, Christmas
ushers in q carnival of liberality. Gifts,
souvenirs aims, Christmas-cheer, ct i'd genus
omne, belong to the season, and gracefully Illus
trate It. Few, we believe, can thoroughly en-
Joy its convivalties within their own circles
until they have contributed something towards
festivity in family circles wherein want ordina-
rily dwells. 1t is the one only day of the year
on which we can all agree to forgot political
economy and allowedly give rein to our benev-
olent feelings. christmas comes but once
yearp and there are not many who will not
avail themselves of its privileges, and open
their hands bountifully to the poor.
Masonic Elections.
The following brethren have been elected to