The New York herald., 1875-12-26
Religious Editors, view. o. Christmas

General and almost universal as is the
viewed by the editors of our religious
contemporaries in as varied hues as the
lights with which the Christmas trees were
adorned yesterday Dr. Talmage, in his Chris
tian at Work, would not have the Christ of
life and light and JOY dismissed from our
homes and our society when the Christmas
bells and the Happy New Years greetings
have subsidized into silence. The Christian
life, he declares, is not a form of worship,
nor an order of doctrine, nor an act of
sacramental homage, but cultivation of
that spirit which brings its possessor into
real fellowship with Him who came to es-
tablish peace and good will among men.
Mr.. Beecher, in his Christidn Union, this
week has an editorial which sounds like the
bugle blast of the coming conflict between
himself and DR.. Talmage, growing probably
out of the opposite views which each
holds regarding the expediency or righteous
ness of retaining the Bible in the pub
lie schools. The editorial is review of
previous one by DR.. Talmage on Pins and
Prayers" in which the latter took the ground
that not o single prayer was ever lost, but
that God has treasured them all up and
in some future time will answer
them all. Talmage is set up as
teaching Universalism, and is ridiculed
pretty freely all the way for his illogical
utterances and conclusions. 1t will be his
turn to reply next week. Mr.. Bowen, whose
Independent is beginning to be more unmis-
columns this week and last has only words of
good will for Mrs. Moulton and the opposite
for Plymouth church and its pastor, is
amazed that, after all these driving and
driven centuries since the angels song fore
told good will, peace and glory, there should
be neither among men. They are still far
far before the editor, who, like Mary, fore
bodies many cross between. Mr.. Donahoe
looks through the Boston Pilot with bust
ness eye at this Christmas, which, he thinks,
indicates year that will be unusually
memorable in American history. There will
be a great influx Of money and people from
all countries, revival of business, a reduc-
ton in the prices OF the necessaries of life,
and an increase in the wages of mechanics
and laborers of the land. This is at least a
hopeful prophecy to make, and we can only
hope that it may be fulfilled so as to en-
courage the prophet as well as his patrons.
The editor Of the Catholic Revieto, being in a
pious mood when he wrote, and not having
received his Christmas box, thinks Catholics
ought very devoutly to commemorate the
day, and for two principal reasons
viz, because it dates the foundation
Of the Church, and because the Church
is at present enduring persecution
throughout the world. He would have
MS all therefore weep and pray instead Of re-
ioice and mae merry on this occasion. Very
differently does the Jesoish Times view this
Christmas festival. 1t is allied in point 81
time to the Jewish festival Of Chanukah, or the
dedication Of the Temple under the Maccs-
bees, and as that has always been season Of
rejoicing Jewish children have come to look
upon both festivals alike, and no Christian
household in the land observes the custom
Of giving Christmas gifts to the children with
greater regularity than do our Hebrew fellow
citizens. And this is just as it should be.
DIR. Wheeler, through the Methodist, presents
his congratulations and good wishes to his
readers, and thinks that besides giving gifts
to our children we should ourselves accept
Gods great gift Of His Son. Dr. Thompson
makes civilization, which has felt the infu-
ence Of the Gospel, ask through the Church
Journal if Christianity can do nothing more