Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-12-24
oHR1srMAs, 1879.


finished. and we are near one oil the
white mile-stones on the great journey
Of life. What memories are invoked by
that magic word, "Christmasr for there
are none in Christendom but can recall
some friendships cenented on that day,
and some memories that grow more ten
der and sacred with each recurring
,ouch of time. The children Of to-day,
who await the coming of Santa Claus
with joyful impotence and tomorrow
morning will revel in the JOY and the
wealth of gifts in store for them, are
types of what their parents were before
them, and of the children that will danes
with innocent mirth hundred years
hence. Around the glowing hearth
stone and Christmas tree parents and
grandparents are carried back, in mind,
IN their own childhood, and, for the
time they renew their youth and all are
children together, whatever thoughts
may be running through the minds OF
the elders. They at least can smile
at the musical laughter which peals
forth like the spray of clear fountains
at their feet, and the cold, cold world
of care and cruel detraction is forgotten
in such scenes of innocence and unre-
strained Joy. These annual little family
reunions are pictures often of the purest
happiness known on earth, and alwas )
make us better and happier, 1t the &C.
casion can be improved, not only to
cement family ties and the delightful as
sociations that cluster about home, but
in going beyond and giving others less
fortunate some trifing means of enjoy
ment. some real comfort that will cause
Christmas to be cherished in memory,
where otherwise the name would suggest
A dreary waste. The sum total OF hu-
man happiness is not realized in per-
sonal comfort or solitary Injuries, but
the heart that loves to cheer others has
the most light Of its own, for it is as
sun which radiates many Others. No
act of charity or courtesy at these times
is forgotten by giver or receiver, as the
pleasure is mutual and reciprocal
These holiday greetings and customs
make 1.-THE whole world of kin"
The master and servant, the rich
and poor, are all moved by
a common impulse. which comes to
the surface in a warmth of manner that
once a year bespeaks the universal fra
ternlty efmankind, and more eloquently
than all the homilies ever written or
spoken. The veil Of conventional form
is withdrawn, and we see the emotions
and affections that play around the hui
man heart in their pristine fullness and
purity, and we catch glimpses of bet
ter nature than appears at all times on
the exterior. It is Of the subduing ef-
feets produced by Christmas and its
happy associations that we attempt to
speak. Every one has his or her ideal
picture of the day, just as it appeared in
bright years agone, when the tender
bark of life was very near to either
shore, and the tint of the rainbow filled
earth and sky with glorious brightness
and hope, soft as the " still faint music
of a dream" carried captive the soul
But now the stream is wide and dark
and we rush on, knowing not how sooI
we shall 90 beneath the waves of obliv
ion where rest so many OF our early
companions. Let US cherish the pleas
ant memories of the day, and sanctifJ
its renewed blessings by their temperate
use and and unsel6sh enjoyment MAJ
each and all find abundant cause to b.
grateful tomorrow, and in after life t.
look baekupon the Christmas of eighteen
hundred and sevepty-two with unmixeC
satisfaction. The old-may they b,
comforted by dear recollections of oil,
times, and the presence of many de
scendants beneath their roof tree. Tn
grown-up children we greet with a.
happy Christmas and many returns,
and the little children we would kiss
each and all, and deyoutly say. Go
bless thee" May they all find grea
treasures in their stockings, and b
as bright and sweet as the little rose
buds they are to their parents.
merry, merry old-fashioned Christmas L
all.
onHnn