New-York tribune., 1874-12-24
CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE.

In several Old-fashiOncd bits of didactic
writing, the reader will remember how an angel
is ss,lprosed to come down, to be much astOnished
and scandalzcd, and to weep cOpiously at va
riOus mortal proceedings. This week we arc at
our best, and need not fear q visit from the
most sensitive or critical of AddsOn's or DR..
JohnsOn's supernatural characters. Without
any intentional disrespect. we may imagine
one of them unacquainted with our religious
history; and also with habit of reasoning by
induction. AS such being passed to-day
through our crowded streets, and as he en-
countered there hundred forms of degrada-
tion-misery in many shapes, passion venting
itself in various violent ways, hunger staring
from white faces, the thin rags of tho beggar
fluttering in the eager air-he might
we'll ask if the bright scenes shining from
open doorways and illuminated windows
were mockery of human mistake, and all
the good wishes tossed from every tongue
merely tho irony of despair. Fortunately, no
angel of O BacOnian turn would come to rash
conclusions or make up his mind without look
ing little further. Awaiting himself of his
Omniprescnt faculty, he might pass from the
bleak and bewildcring street into the Summer
atmosphere of q happy home. The careless
laughter Of children would greet him at the
threshold; within he would encounter a scene
of soft enchantment; in the light of the festi-
val lamps he would see every face beaming
with love and cOntentment; in every tone he
would recognize the purest affection of which
man is capable; while all the tender amenities
of the season would demonstrate that these
beings before him were finding their
own happiness in the happiness of
Others Then he would understand az the
anthems of peace and good will mixed with
the cheerful chimes, that tho religion whose
advent they commemorated was one of gener-
ous impulses, of benevolent works, and of uni
versal brotherhood.
1t is fortunate for us that there are things
which not only prove but approve themselves.
What is best in our life is that which is re-
iectcd only by the lean and miserable minority.
Christmas, of all days in the year, stands in
no need of championship, for very few insti-
tutions are moro thoroughly self-sustaining.
O wrnkled and white-headed philosopher,
with the dust of your library upon your gar
ments and your soul saturated with all sys-
TENS from Thales and Pythagoras to Kant or
to COmte, do you not wish that you could
believe in anybody or IN anything as per-
fectly as tho children believe in Santa
Claus and his sedge laden with presents, and
his antlered steedsi 1t 10 true that the little
brain has Its little, minor skepticisms. The
small casuist does not see how his venerable
benefactor is to enter by way of the chin
ney in these times of no freplaces. But.
bless You! the yonker's bother will be over in a
day, while our tangle of objectivity and sub
jectivity will be as hopelessly intricate as ever.
1t is enough for lad or lassie that the affection
ate Saint will get in to decorate the bright,
full-fruited tree. Ecce signum! There it
stands, blazing and beautiful!Nbut what in the
world is enough for us oldsters, whether it
be of causatiOn or cash7
All mythoOges have their new born divini-
tics, but what religion boasts q Child God