National Republican., 1877-12-25
A Merry ChristH,,ssi

This day, by common consent Is con,-
mem Grated as the birthday of the MESSIAH,
though there is no positive record by which
that event can be charged distinctly to its
account. In this instance custom makes
law, and as the 25th Of December has been
respected as the natal day of CHEIsT since
the fourth century, 1t may with propriety
be accepted and celebrated rs such in the
nineteenth century in the best of faith.
In conformity to this time-honored Gus
tom, we now take pleasure in greeting the
readers Of the NATIONAL REPUBLICAN,
one and all, old and young, rich and poor,
grave and gay ahke-with the kindly
viehes of this festive occasion. We should
all
at Christmas play and make good cheer.
For Christmas comes but once year"
This is q social era, when the links of
friendship are frightened by fresh tokens of
regard, and the golden chain that binds
heart to heart is made stronger by affec-
tons most cherished offerings. 1t is the
anniversary of that day when the MESSIAH
was given to earth and fallen man found a
Mediator between his sins and an offended
Con. CHRIST has become the Christians
hope, and the day of His advent should be
celebrated as season of heartfelt joy. As
salvation is free to all who will accept it on
the proffered terms, so should be the happi-
ness which springs from its contemplation.
Christianity has converted the ancient
Yule-time into Christmas-a most blessed
day, which opens the hand of charity and
Christian benevolence more cheerfully and
widely and spreads its grateful offerings
more abundantly than upon any other in
the calendar of time. 1t develops the bet
Ter part of our natures and bushes for the
time the evil that turks in the human heart.
SANTA CLAUS, the patron saint of the
young imagination, started forth at twelve
last night, heavily laden with his mex
haustible store-house of goodies, beauties,
and novelties, to fill millions of waiting
stockings, in which centre the first faith
of the human heart. There is something
beautiful to contemplate in this Christmas
conceit which prompts and culti-
Yates the early buildings of child
ish confidence and hope. With
what trust the little one watches the pro.
cess of suspending the empty stocking by
the hand of an ailectionate mother or fond
sister in favorable position to await the com
ing of that time-honored beneiactor, who
lives in childish fancy and comes on Christ
mas eve TO fill il with his treasures. And
with what glcesome joy the little one
visits in the early morn this receptacle OF
fondly expected treasures aud spreads its
lap to receive them. Then comes the joy
of believing and the full fruition Of that
faith which had been cherished in the
young heart and built up in its hopes
Chistmas is distinctively the festive day o.
childhood, for from the centre to the circum
ference of civilization and Christianization
SANTA CLAUS comes to palace and hove
with his wealth of happiness and Joy.
And yet the cnjoyments of the Christ
mas season are not exclusively confined b
the young. Accumulated years and tn
hair touched by their scores of frosts awai
their coming with all the asdsncy Of sec
ond childhood. Sons and daughters an