The Republican journal., 1877-12-20
Christmas.

here-the tairest, sweetest holiday of all
the circling year, on which the great
world of Christendom lays aside for a
season its cares and labors. and Joins in
rejoicing and thanksgiving over the great
event which it marks. The world has
grown practical and utilitarian-it boasts
of its victories over the forces of nature,
and OF subduing the elements to become
the slaves of human will. The world has
become scientific, doubling and cynical.
1t takes nothing on trust it demands
proof of everything. 1t digs into the
earth, peers into the skies, with doubt
and challenge. and arraigns before 4
pitless logic all old time thoughts, ideas,
opinions and creeds. The fairest and
roSlest associations of our fond belief fall
away before the grim apostles of doubt,
till life stretches before us shorn of its
beauty and poetry.
But the holy associations of Christmas
have not perished in the general wreck.
Modern philosophy has neither destroy
ed nor dimmed the radiance of the day.
Triumphant over traditions and delusions,
it has no victory over the observance of
the anniversary which signalizes the birth
day OF faith, around which cluster the
alterations of mankind in this life, and
their hopes for that which is to come.
Christmas day peculiarly and sacred
ly appropriate to the young, The undying
fact Of the Nativity, of the child born in the
manger, but to whose lowly bed the very
stars of heaven marshalled the way, as
sociate it with childhood and its promises,
to parents the very sweetest of earthly
hopes. Therefore is it fitting that its ad-
vent should annually make glad those lit
tie ones so loved of the compassionate
Saviour, Even the old are young again
in observing the happiness of those buds
OF humanity whom their thOughtfulness
has made joyous.
1t is the day for friendship to be united
by warmer links, and for the affection of
kindred to glow with new fervor About
it are hung the garlands and blossoms of
hope, and joy, and love. 1t is a day for
truce to enmities Of the past, and of good
will and liberation in the future. 1t is
day for testivity, and the enjoyment of
the bounties of Providence; day to dec
crate churches and homes; day on which
to gather about the glowing hearth stone
a day to send blessings to the weary in
flesh, the sick, the friendless and home
less to relieve the afflicted children of
poverty, by those gifts which bless him
that gives and him that takes. So shall
we celebrate the day in it's best observ-
ance, and in conformity to the precepts of
Him, whose coming was announced eigh
teen hundred years ago to the awe struck
shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem.
We trust that our readers, one and all,
will have memories of Merry Christmas,
in the year Of grace, eighteen hundred and
seventy y-seVen.
1t having been charged that man
whose leg had been amputated at the
Maine General Hospital died from un-
skilful treatment, the Directors will cause
an investigation into the matter. We
derstand that this is to be done, not be
cause it is believed there is any ground
for the charge, but from belief that
not even the shadow of a suspicion should
rest upon the surgical skill of such an in
stitution. The Portland Advertiser says:
This medical board of enquiry is the highest
possible tribunal that could be gathered from
Maine physicians, on the score Of impariaity and
competency. These gentlemen all appoint
ed to office before any trouble had occurred at the
HoSpa and are eight in number. none resident
OF Portland, as Drs. Wood and Gilman did not
think it proper for them to serve under the cir
eumstanceS. The president is Dr. T. II Jewett
OF North Berwick, the vice presidents p. S. Has
kell. Stockton. and W. Osgood North Yarmouth
The other gentlemen on the staff of consulting
physicians and surgeons are DrS Hill of Augusta
Swan of Calais, Jewett Of South Berwick Fuller
of Bath Garcelon of Lewiston, and Mitchell of
Brunswick.
There is no doubt that the result of the
will exonerate all connected
with the hospital, and show the charges
to have had their origin in ignorance of
the facts or a malicious intent
Since the foregoing was put in type, the
following has appeared
PORTLAND, Dec. lS. The Board of
Physicians of the Maine Med
ical Association investigated to-day the
charge made by DR.. Files of this city in
that George Eaton Of Lubec,
who recently died at the Maine General
Hospital after the amputation of a leg,
was not properly treated, The Board
found the charges resulted from misap-
prehension and were disproved. They
the complainant for making com
plaint in newspapers instead of to Doctors,
find the hospital records faulty and recon-
mend that they be better kept in future,
and express confidence in its manage
ment.