The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-12-22
THE PACIFIC
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SATURDAY. DECEMBER %.

SATURDAY Y. DECEMBER p.
We HAVE already declared our resolve to alb
stain from all further discussion IN our editorial
columns on the subject of the law in force in this
kingdom for the due observance Of the Lords
Day. We think it needless to repeat our often
expressed belief that the Lords Day ought to be
kept holy by all sincere Christians. We have
thus far published communications on this sub
ject from correspondents, who sought to express
their opinions thereon. But we really think
that it would be better to drop this discussion al
together. as the writer's appear to have lost sight
of the real question at issue,-our Hawaiian
Sabbatic LAWN general arguments for and
against the institution of the Sabbath.
BEFORE OUR next issue, the anniversary of an
event in the history of mankind which is well
calculated to claim a passing notice even IN the
columns of a secular publication, will have been
numbered with one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six preceding annual celebrations OF the
same nature. We abstain from any discussion
on the subject, as We presume that our readers,
like ourselves, believe in the incarnation OF Jesus
Christ, the founder of the religion which we
profess.
IL VI N"S ~-f
has always been held sacred amongst most Chris
tians from the earliest times. The twenty-ffth
day of December has been almost universally re-
ceiyed by Christians as the day whereon the
birth of Jesus took place in a stable at Bcthle-
hem. While millions upon millions of the
human ~race-Kinge, Emperors, potentates and
their people-the great and the lowly-have
mouldered into dust, and their very names have
been obliterated from the worlds history, it is
singular to think how fresh and vivid the memory
still remains of the wonderful babe who was
born in the manger of Bethlehem. Let the inf
del answer why this has been SO? For Chris
tians who believe in the Christ, the anniversary
of His natal day in this human life which we
share with Him, even naturally awakens a gentle
sentiment in the sternest and most prosaic Chris
tian breast, apart from every inspiration of super
natural grace and faith in the Man-God.
The anniversaries of the birthday of our par
ents, our children or dearest friends, are occasions
of more than usual tenderness and expansion of
heart in most households where love is enthroned.
No wonder, then, that the annual recurrence of
the natal day of the infant God of Love and Peace
has formed for eighteen centuries and more, a
marked period in each revolving year amongst
Christians of all denominations. In the Eastern
Churches, such as the Roman Catholics, Greeks,
Russians and Armenians it is usual at Christmas
to place in the Churches 81 cribs, - representing
the gospel history of the nativity of Jesus.
These l." cribs however some may object to
them, form a grand attraction for children in
those countries where Christmas is so celebrated.
Perhaps abuses, almost of an idolatrous nature,
gradually led the reformers to set their counten-
ance against such 80 profanities, and it came
about that Christmas Day began to be regarded
in some Protestant Churches as a Popish festival,
and consequently not to be distinguished by any
special reverence or celebration. An idea of this
kind extensively prevailed in New England, and
1t is only within the memory of the present gene
ration that many New Englanders have begun to
celebrate Christmas Day as a solemnity of the
Church. Even here in Honolulu, some people
remember, not much more than a score of years
ago, when Christmas Day was allowed to pass
almost without notice, and New Years Day
formed the festive epoch of this season. Of late,
more Importance has again begun to attach itself
to the anniversary of the Natal Day of Jesus, in
many protestant communities, as we'll as in our
own. Here, all the Churches now agree to keep
Christmas Day as a Church festival, the Episco-
palians and RomanIsts being no longer exclusive
celebrants of this great Christian commemora-
ton. This is, in our opinion, the right and
proper course, on the part of all our Churches,
and the State very properly declares the day a
secular holiday. Like so many countless mil
lions of human beings, and Christians, good and
bad, who have disappeared since Jesus was an
infant in the stable of Bethlehem, so shall we
also disappear, and most of US leave no trace be-
hind while, in each revolving year till the end
of time, according to our Christian belief, the
anniversary of the birthday of our Lord shall be
hailed with gladness by the coming generations
of Christian men and women yet unborn.
For those, who like ourselves, live to enjoy the
present celebration of 1877, it is our pleasing
duty to wish each and every one OF our brethren
and sisters on this earthly sphere, Christian or
non-C Christian just alike:
A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ;
Ind many, many happy returns of the same.