The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-23

not uecayh, iuF Otner MONIES ana othe
bands of children not yet in being nor 70
ages yet to be, arise and bloom and ripe
to the end Of all
Welcome eyerythingi Welcome, aIik
what has been, and what never was AM
what we hope may be, to your shelter un
derneath the holly, to your places roun'
the Christmas fire, where what is sits open
hearted ! In yonder shadow do we see
obtruding furtiyely upon the blaze, al
4 enemy's facel BY Christmas Day, we d,
forgive him If the injury he has don,
us may admit Of such companionship, le
him come here and take his place.
otherwise, unhappily, let him 60 hence
assured that we will never injure or accus,
him.
On this day we shut out nothing
"Pause," says low voice. 'sNothing
Think r.
"0n Christmas Day we will shut ou
from our freside Nothing" 4
"Not the shadow Of vast City where
the withered leaves are lying deep?" the
voice replies. sNot the shadow thai
darkens the whole globe2 Not the shadow
Of the City Of the Dead ~
Not even that. Of all the days in the
year, we will turn our faces towards that
City upon Christmas Day, and from its
silent hosts bring those we loved among
US. 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 to the promise, we
will receive, and not dismiss, thy people
who are dear TO US |
Yes. We can look upon these children
angels that aight, 50 solemnly, 50 beauti
fully, among the living children by the
fire, and can bear to think how they de.
parted from US. Entertaining angels un-
awares, as the Patriarchs did, the playful
children are unconscious Of their guests
but we can see them--can see radiant
arm around one favorite neck, as If there
were tempting of that child away.
Among the celestial figures there is
one, poor mis-shapen boy on earth, of q
glorious beauty now, of whom his dying
mother said it grieved her much to leave
him here, alone, for SO many years as il
was likely would elapse before he came to
her-being 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, fal
away, upon burning sand beneath o
burning sun, and said, aTell them nj
home, with my last love, how much ]
could have wished to kiss them once, but
that | died contented and had done my
dutyp Or there was another, over whom
they read the words, Therefore we com.
NIT his body to the dark |" and so con.
signed him to the lonely ocean and sailed
on. Or there was another who lay down
to his rest in the dark shadow Of great
forests; and, on earth, woke no more. O
shall they not, from land and sea and for
est, be brought home at such time
There was a dear girl--almost woman
never to be one-who made mourning
Christmas in house Of joy, and went her
trackless way to the silent City. Do we
recollect her, worn out, family whispering
what could not be heard. and falling into
that last sleep for weariness? 0 look
upon her nowl o look upon her beauty,
her serenity, her changeless youth, her
happiness The daughter Of Jairus was
recalled to life, to die; but she, more blest,
has heard the same voice, saying unto her
"Arise for ever r.
We had friend who was our friend
from early days, with whom we often
pictured the changes that were come upon
our lives, and<merrily imagined how we
would speak, aud walk, and think, and
talk, when VIC came to be old. His des-
tined habitation in the City Of the Dead
received him in his prime. Shall be be
shut out from our Christmas remembrance?
Would his love SO excluded US Lost
friend, lost child, lost parent, sister, broth
or, husband, wife, We will not so discard
you You shall hold your cherished
places in our Christmas hearts, and by
our Christmas fires /; and in the season of
immortal hope, and on the birthday Of
immortal mercy, we will shut out nothing.
The winter sun goes down over town
and village; on the sea it makes rosy
path, as if the sacred tread were fresh upon
the water. A few more moments, and it
sinks, and the night comes on, and light
begins to sparkle in the prospect. On the
hillside beyond tho shapelessly -diffused
town, and the quiet keeping Of the trees
that gird the yilage-steeple, remembrances
are cut in stone, planted in common low-
ers, growing in grass, entwined with lowly
brambles around many mound Of earth.
In town and village, there are doors
and windows closed against the weather,
there are flaming logs heaped high, there
are joyful faces, there is healthy music Of
voices. Be all ungentleness and all harm
excluded from the temples of the house
hold 50, but be those remembrances
admitted with tender encouragement.
They are of the time and all it's comforting
and peaceful reassurances, and of history
that reunited even upon earth the living
and the dead, and Of the broad benef-
cence and goodness that too many men
have tried to tear to narrow shreds.