The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-12-24
CaRIsrMAs.-Our exchanges are al

IHRlSIhhS'-Su CASiiuIiSNo IN ~
wishing their patrons 4 merry Christmas,
and su the Home Journal wishes for its
patrons and those who are not. but ought
70 be. Some of our exchanges go OFF int
moralizing in regard TO how we should
feel and act during the popular season,
INT we shall not initiate them in this re-
spect, except to say that the veneration
due the sacred nam and origin Of Christ
MAS tune should not shut out cheerfulncss
from our hearts. Like Kit in Old Curiosi-
~ Shop, we don't believe that cheerfulncss
and good humer are thought greater sins
IN Heaven than shirt-collars are. We
cannot suppose there's any harm in look
ing as cheerful as our poor circumstance
vii! permit, rather than put on long faces
and go snivelling about and complaining
because We can't pay all the bills that may
Oe brought against us; on because VIC are
poorer than we were last Christmas; or
our house Is not so fine; or because we are
a wear older ana that much nearer the
grave. In the rush and tumult of the
world, says some one, it is likely that the
sammum bonWm OF nine-tenths Of man
kind IL embraced in that purely
negative happiness--to get along; not
70 perish to open eyes, however YEARLY,
an Il new morning; to satisfy with some
thiag, no matter what, Il craving appetite
to close eyes ut night under some shadow
ar shelter; or, it may be, in certain ranks,
10 walk another day free from bankruptcy
or arrest" Heaven be thankful it is no
worse, and when you are inclined to be-
mean your condition and envy these who
have Inherited fortunes and can feast upon
the fat and good things of the land and
strut in rich apparel, just think instead of
the thousands and multiplied thousands
who would he rejoiced and made exceed
ing glad to exchange conditions with you.
A merry Christmas to all, and let the oc-
ca.ion be truly what Dickens said it was
in the long calendar Of the year-a time
when men and women will open their
shut-up hearts freely and think of people
below them as if they really were fellow
passengers to the grave and not another
race OF creatures bound on ether journeys.
You who have plenty should spare a little
70 those who have not. Don't fear that
YOU may not have enough for yourself
next Christmas, but think of how many
have net enough for this, and, trusting in
God to bless the earth and bring us sea
soma in due time for a good crop, be
charitable to the needy, rememb ering that
re gives twice who gives freely, and that a
little given in time is better than much
away off Wonder.
merry. merry time to ' on all. Visions
of roasted turkeys, baked chickens, egg
nogg and delicious cake. and all sorts OF
swectmcats, float before us. Already our
Driyht-cyed. innocent children are dis
coursing upon the many little pretty toys
aud knick .knacks that Santa Claus viii
stuff into their stockings by the chimney
corner, and hang upon the Christians
Tree. Bless their little pure hearts! and
put them to bed early, fer they must be NJ
"by times" in the morning Of Christmas
Day, and we older grown-up children vii
grow young again for a little season tt
'ioin in their sports, their reNcls anc
wilss What a train oil rccollection'
will rush through our brains! and many
one will sigh to be Il child again, wher
Time and Lis brother. Care, had set II,
marks upon our brow, when we lived free
from anxietics about the morrow, and al
our petty troubles went off in s'umber
sweet, restoring slumber. All! happy
happy childrcn-tor you and for all, once
more, the Home Journal wishes Il merry
Ghriatmas.