The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-25

we nave several more letters from inf
tells who refuse to believe in the CONVEX
non OF any man who has ever been traly
mbued with real iuhdelity. They hold
that when a man once understands uI-
deity In all its length and breadth, he
h thereafter proof against all appeals in
FAVOR OF Christianity, for he knows the
uncertainty of its foundation. and the
feebleneSs of the evidence by which il is
supported.
Well, this is Christmas Day. 1t is n fes-
ival that has been kept up for ages all
over Christendom. in commrmoration of
the birth OF Wonderful Child IN Beth
Iehem OF Julea, in the days Of HrRoD the
King. Even our disputatious infdes will
celebrate this day. and enjoy it. MANY Of
them will decorate their houses. give gifts
10 their children. and sit down to feast
OF fat things Now we are not disposed
to-day 10 present to our infldel CORES pond
snts any arguments on the reli gious side (;
for they would doubtless try to reply to
them, and thus would be in danger of
losing that placid temper which ought to
be their happy experience on this Christ
mas holiday.
But suppose that. instead of holding any
debate over Christianity, we suggest to
them pleasure which they might other
wise miss. Let them at some time tot day
or this evening take up any one of the
gospels, MATTHEW or MARX or LUKE or
JOHN will do, read it through. and think
over ii rs they go along. Even If they are
very strong infidels, they will still find in
teresting material for thought, in these
brief sketches written by the Apostles.
We are sure that even the very strongest
fnfidels will agree with us that JESUS
CHRIST the son Of MARY, appears to have
been very good man, and not "a bad one.
They will agree with us that his life was
pure, gentle. aud charitable, not corrupt
cruel, or selfish. They will agree with us
that in all his actions he sought TO do good
20 men, not 10 wrong them. They win
agree with us that he consorted with the
poor and the friendless not with the rich
and proud; that he tool, men in the conf
mon walks Of life for his apostles; that he
had sympathy with the sick. the halt the
lame, aud the blind; and that instead of
toadyng to power, or IA h.on, or fortune,
OF rank, he made his friends and his home
with the humble. We are sure they will
agree with us that MS lan@lilg" was wist,
not fl ppani; sweet, not NAL gnant; e.c-
waiting, LJt baueful; thai he never uttered
. base word or n pollntng sentiment; that
he always chastised wickedness. never en-
couraged II: that he blessed ali who came
90 him, and never cursed any ON who
spproa, he'd him. We are sure they Will
agree with Us that the beatitules which
are contained in the fifth chapter of NAT
THEW are the worry essence Of sweetness
and affection. We are sure they will AGREE
with us that the world would be better
than 1t is if lis doctrines were generally
put into practice. We are sue they will
agree with us that his Xecution was pa
thetic and sublime spectacle, Not u ridlcu-
fous one.
We say we believe that many of the
very strongest inhdels viii agree with MS
In regard To many, If not all, of III, So
things. Well, this is n pleasant thought
for Christmas Day; and we will therefore
refrain to-day from any argument over
rther points connected with this subject.