National Republican., 1873-12-25
CHRISTH.l,y DAY.

CHRISTMAS DAY.
Tho oldest, the grandcsi, and sweetest
holiday Of the year comes again this morn
ing. rs precious In Its memories. US rich In
tradition, as significant in teaching. as dear
10 all who bear the Christian name as 1t was
TO the generations that went before and be-
fore, and to the generations backward and
backward along the pathway OF the ccntu-
rics since Its birth. There Is no day like
Christmas. II belongs to all ages. all coun-
tries, and all peoples. 1t lms outgrown
everything of human origin since IL came
Into existence. II has seen empires rise
and fall. 1t was hoary with age when the
Puritan fathers saw Plymouth rock. 1t
Wis gray with time.fros. when this West
crn world was wildernccs Tho garlands
Of centuries decked II when the Norman
William conquered the Saxon Harold. Bu,
II has outlivcd them all-kings and emper-
ors and empires. They have all passed
away; LEFT the record of their good and evil;
did their work rs II came to them to do;
bat the Christmas. In which they rcjoiced.
which brought them as II brings to us so
many softcning Influences, SO much of love
and charity and tenderness. remains grandcr
aud higher than all, teaching Its old-timc
lesson. pointing to the crib at Bethlehem,
sud preaching Chisiianitys first great pre-
ccpt Of peace on earth to men Of good will.
The event which Il commemorate Is the
grandest In history. As We look back to Il
with reverence and awe, so the world for
thousands and thousands Of years llad looked
forward 10 It's coming with a trcmulo,is cx-
pcciation. The promise that II would Ger.
tainly come was as old NJ time itself II
was the minbow Of hope that spannctl
the heavens, as generation followed genera.
tion. We know tint modern skeptics sncei
at all this; that we are told the Babe Of
Bethlehem was only human Ills life has
been written from the standard of common
humanity His doctrines have been ana
lyzed and daring disbclicvers have MOI
hcsitatcd TO institute comparisons and us
sign to the predcstincd One what they deem
to be His proper place among the great mcr
who have from time to time cast theil
genius over the world. Christianity
z has been called mere system
OF philosophy, and the Saviour
mere philosopher, rs Plato and Socm:e;
and Confucius were philosophers. This |:
to great extent the sentiment of the time
the coloring Of the age. But In this, a,
In other things of less importance, history
Is merely repeating itself There wer,
doubters and disbcllcvers in the beginning
and there will be doubters and disbeliever
in the end. No argument can explain
away the great truths Of Christianity; cal
succeed In imprcssing upon the world tina
what II has 80 long believed to be divine Il
only human. and certain to pass away. a.
all else hns passed away; the simple prepara
tion for something higher and noblcr ant
better, mere stepping. stone In the grca
march of progress, the development Of hu
manity. AL attempts to blot out the day
to make us love and vcncnte II the less
have failed Time only adds fresh honoH Il
It: makes Its observance more u matter o
faith and of duty,
No other day In all the year brings the
world In so close u communion. 1t be
longs to every age anu every class TO til
rich and 10 the poor to the old and tn
young. As the years glide on and on
more dlstinctivcly marks what 1t was in
tended 1t should mark. a season Of universe
gladness and Joy when ennitics shoul
be laid aside when care should be forgot
ten; when the people should send up hosan
nah and hosannahs, rejoicing at what In
been and what may be accomplished. Til
grand old day comes to rs fragrant an
beautiful, counscling love, and cOumg'
and faith, and hope, and charity And W
are all the better for It's coming Upo
every. continent, every race and poop
In Imagination go back this morning TO u
humble little town In Nazareth; recall Ill
story OF tho Eastern kings and the Cha
dean shepherds and the tremendous even
which trace their origin to the event whic
thon took place; and as the evident pla
and purpose of the whole mighty schen
Is unfolded II cannot but lead all who thin
upon 1t higher and higher up to that plai
upon which we all expect some day
stand. The lesson Of the hour is a lesso
OF love and benehccnce. Let us see tn
wo learn ID, and in learning and accep
ing Il win what shall be forever meri
Christmas and happy New Year.