The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-12-26
CmRlsTMAs.

OnrlsLmaS mus the people VI our 0tdt0
restored to the possession of their State
government, at peace with themselves
and the world outside, and with happy
political future-though depressed in
business and with poverty prevalent, re
sulting from the bad political manage
ment of the past and the low prices of
the products which constitute the basis of
worldly comfort and prosperity. But
from these topics, we are prone to turn
on this natal day of the blessed Saviour
of mankind, to Christmas as holiday.
when the troubles and cares of the world
are thrown aside for the indulgence of
only the thoughts that coDduce to happi
ness and the kindling of the kindlier
emotions that warm the soul. Holidays,
properly observed, fall as the sunlight on
those who observe them. And even such
persons as from any cause cannot or do
not enter into the spirit of the occasion
from any inward prompting, carnot
wholly resist the cheerful hustle Of the
world around them. Pleasurable excite
ment is rapidly communicated even to
the passive, and the determined cynic or
the care worn heart cannot entirely es
cape. The streets for several weeks pre-
ceding this day have been study, and
for the last few days have presented a
very cheerful spectacle. If only from
the eager faces that we meet, all alive
with pleasant purposes or amuslngly
grave, it would certainly seem that the
pressure of "hard times" was being sensi
bly, lifted. No doubt gifts presented this
year are less costly than heretofore. In
that very circumstance there is gain. For
the meaning of it is that the same pleas
ure is purchased at less cost. When os
tentation enters into the giving of gifts
the pleasure conferred by no means in
creases with the expense, but rather di
minishes. The spirit of Christian-tide is
as joyous when small tokens are ex
changed as when larger, only the true
spirit must be present-peace and good
will.
Yet, while the spirit of Christmas is
4 home inspiration, it is no bar to sym
patty with those outside of the home
When smiling and happy people meet,
though they know not even each
,ther's names, the consciousness that
heir thoughts run in the same pleasant
direction puts them at once in accord
They look the cheerful greeting, though
lot word may be spoken. But when
even bare acquaintance come
ogether, their ready voices, in tone and
lacrity, show that something more
heerful and hopeful than the everyday
outline of care and toll is the common
minus at Christmas tide.
The founder of Christianity has sad
hat cit is more blessed to give than to
eceive." And this great truth is con-
essed by all who have tasted the luxury
benevolence. If, as the poet writes,
our pleasant vices" are made the means
} scourge us, it is equally true that from
ur self denial for the benefit of others,
omes our highest pleasure. Giving is
the power of all, however INDECENT !
ny may be, for the worth of a favor is
the spirit in which it is rendered,
lther than any money value. The true
hristmas gifts are affection, courtesy,
ltience and that charity which thinketh
} evil, and which finds, even in the
lien, some trace or memory of lost
nocence and happiness. :
If there are sad ghosts of the past, or q
i'm spectres of the present, which will s
1t down at any human bidding-surely t
this Christmas day they may wear a p
ndlier vlsage and speak in milder ac- lie
nts. For this day, $50 calm, SO Il
light; the bridal of the earth and b
y'-is full of hope and promise. il
is dedicated to the best part of our Il
tier nature; it appeals to those intu- d
ons of Immortality implanted in every W
imam breast; it teaches us that the v
.uggle which we call life is only pre- tt
de to a career free from all the OBJ OF
'uction and membranes which i'm o,
de and annoy us here; it tells us that III
en- as from the stable and the Manager a &C
,deemer rose, so may we, from the 70
I'd and harsh surroundings and inexo- ty
Die discipline of this lower sphere,
k onward and upward to a dignity he
an honor which sin and sorrow can tn
! touch, or death destroy. 70
But without moralizing, we will con-
de by wishing the friends of THE
ARIoN-a merry Christmas-and
my happy returns of the day.