Middletown transcript., 1876-12-23

we see home fairly written.
Shining from the word as rays shin
from a.star. We see how, when our grave
are old, other hopes than ours ar
young; other hearts than ours ar
moved; how other waves are snothered
how other happiness blooms. ripens an
decays-no, not decays. for other beme
and other bands Of children not yet i
being, nor for ages jet to be, arise an
bloom and ripen to the end Of all!
Welcome everything! Welcome alik
what has been, and what never was an,
what We hope may be, to your sbelte
underneath the holly, to your place
round the Christmas FIRE, where what i
sits open-hearted! In yonder shadow
do we see. obtruding furtively upon th,
blaze. an enemy's face! By Christmal
day, We do forgive him! If the injury
he has done US may admit of such com
partnership. let him come here and tax,
his place. II otherwise, unhappily, le
him 60 hence, assured that We viii
never injure or accuse him.
On this day We shut out nothing!
Pause" says low voice. Moth.
ing? Think"
"On Christmas day We will shut oul
from our freside nothing"
'Not the shadow Of vast city, where
the withered leaves are lying deep?" the
voice replies. .'Not the shadow that
darkens the whole globe? Not the
shadow of the City of the Dead p
Not even that. OF all the DAYS in
the year, We will turn our faces toward
that city upon Christmas day, and from
its silent hosts bring those We loved
among rs. City of the dead, in the
blessed name wherein we are gathered
together at this time, and in the Presence
that is here among US according 10 the
promise, We will receive and not dismiss
thy people, who are dear to us
Yes. We can look upon these child
rem angels that alight. 50 solemnly. SO
beautifully. among the living children
by the fire, and can bear to think how
they departed from US. Entertaining
angels unawares, as the patriarchs did,
the playful children are unconscious Of
their guests; but We can see them-can
see radiant glow around one favorite
neck. as if there we're tempting of that
child away
Among the celestial figures there is
one. poor mis-shapen boy on earth, of
a glorious beauty now. Of whom his dy-
ing mother said it grieved her much to
leave him here alone. for so many years
as it was likely would elapse before be
came to her-belng such little child.
But he went quickly, and was laid upon
her breast, and in her hand she leads
him.
There was gallant boy who fell, far
away, upon burning sand beneath
burning sun, and said. .sTell them at
home, with my last love, how much 1
could have wished to kiss them once,
but that | died conteDted and had done
my duty! ]" Or there was another over
whom they read the words, "Therefore
We commit his body to the dark I" and
10 consigned him to the lonely ocean |
md sailed on. Or there was another
Who lay down to his rest in the dark
hadow of great forests; and. on earth.
Yoke no more. O shall they not, from
and and sea and forest, be brought home
t such a time?
There was dear girl-almost wo-
nan,-never to be one-who made
Mourning Christmas in house of joy,
nd went her tracklsss way to the silent
'ity. Do We recollect her worn out,
aintly whispering what could not be
card. and. falling into that last sleep
Or weariness? o look upon her now
look upon her beauty. her serenity,
or changeless youth. her happiness |!
he daughter Of Jairus was recalled to
fe, to die; but she, more blest, has
card the same voice. saying unto her.
Arise forever!" /,
We had friend who was our friend
'om early days, With whom We often |
ictured the changes. that were come
pom our lives. and merrily imagined I
ow We would speak, and walk, and I
link, and talk. when we came to be old.
is destined habitation in the City of |
'e Dead received him 10 his prime.
hall be be shut cut from our Christmas !
membrance? Would his love so ex-
ude us? Lost friend. lost child, lost !
trent, sister. brother. hueband, wife, I
Q will not so discard you. You shall ]
I'D your cherished place in our Christ q
IS fires; and in the season Of immortal I
'pe, and on the birthday Of immortal .
ercy We will shut out nothing. '
The winter sun goes down over town :
ID village; on the sea it makes rosy l
th. as if the sacred tread were fresh =
ION the water. A few more moments II
d it sinks. and night comes on, and 8
'ht begins to sparkle in the prospect. q
the hillside beyond the shapeIessly n
fused town, and the quiet keeping Of r
trees that grid the village steeple, ?
membranes are cut in stone. planted q
common flowers. growing 10 grass, t.
twined with lowly brambles around .
my a mound Of earth. CT
In town and village there are doors
d windows closed against the weather,
IRE are flaming logs heaped high there n
joyful faces. there is healthy music 81
voices. Be all ungentlessss and d
rm excluded from the temples Of the b
usehold gods, but be those remem- L
lnces admitted With tender encour- ol
sment. They are of the time and all A
comforting and peaceful reassurances
Of history that reunited even upon
th the living and the dead. m