Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-20
CHRISTMAS.
lWritten for Enc RepuhIIcan.

day leads us to reflect on the time
and the era of good cheer which it
marks. What tides of emotion rush
upon us from the sea Of the past, and
with their buried hopes and cOnse-
Grated sorrows they linger on the
shores of the present, -then calmly,
silently recede, giving place to pas
sing events, whose waves ceaselessly
rise. To all how pleasant is retro
spection; in its hidden folds lie
countless jewels, ready to sparkle to
memory's eye. Splendid anticipa-
tions realized, whose lustre will never
tarnish,-loving hearts whose ten
drills are our own, though they may
forever pulseless be,-the entire pic
ture is captivating, dark shades
and its light, its roses and its thorns,
all are dear,-a sanctifled memory in
whose solemn chamber one loves to
dwell.
But times rushing pinions, bears
each Of us on, and we are warned to
let the dead past bury its dead" and
to grasp with firm hand and firmer
resolve, the things of the present
What are these?-What does the
present ask OF each and every one Of
us? OIL surely there is call forall, a
realm of action for each living SOUL
a sacred something to be done. To
truly rejoice at this approaching fes-
tive time, a heart must be pure and
free from selfish aims, must rejoice
as true christians should, with soul
unspotted by the world. To do this,
something more is requisite, than
merely yielding to the natural i'm
pulses OF the heart. IL is natural at
such a time, that tender love OF wife and
husband, parent and child, sister
and brother, even friend to friend,
should find expression in testimoni-
ais and gifts. appropriate for such an
occasion. These observances do in
deed bring Joy to the heart, and are
of high commentator; but the no.
bier Joy comes to that heart. whose
love OF Jesus, has led 1t to initiate
the divine heart In works Of mercy
in every virtue which should adorn
a christian soul. That is the 'call,
the sacred something" to be done,
Ito turn with loving and yearning
hearts to Him, whose birth we COM
memmorate in glad rejoicings. and to
remember, in substantial effect, His
@little ones,' committed to our care.
These ~little Ones" the poor, are
always with you, says our Savior,
and we should not forget their claims.
lin remembering them, and in fulfil
ng other duties belonging to this
particular sermon, the present will
have no last moments, no ungathered
treasures.
To strive for the mastery Of our
ASSIGNS and humors, is no idle work,
Pnd il on this advent OF Christmas,
we can lay to rest one passion, which
has been the disturber OF our peace,
and an offence to Him, ~the Prince OF
peace" then our work is not in vain (;
for in "our realm Of action" we have
at least striUep to perform our part.
To children. with hearts and
minds yet bathed in the dew of in
nocence, and untarnished by blight
ing cares, Christmas is ever as it
should be, the happiest time Of the
year. From then We catch an in
spi.a ion of gladness, that is irresista-
BILE, long after time has robbed us OF
such innocent, child-like pleasures.
For them we create the pleasure
which yields to kind and loving
hearts. complete and sweetest recon-
pense.
For ourselves, We should all re-
cognize the time, as one most ap-
propriate for the beginning OF new
lives,-for the casting aside Of any
thorns OF dissension or ill-will which
may rankle In the heart, and for
the making Of good resolutions, to
abide for all time to come. To all
we would say:
go boldly on. Dowhat il right,
Ask not for private ease or good;
| Let one bright star direct thy sight,
The polar star of reetitude.
Go boldly on And though the road
| Thy weary, bleeding feet may rend,
| Angels shali help the bear the load,
| And God Himself Thy steps attend.
In doing this, may all rejoice in the
blessing Of a very happy Christmas
and ever prosperous future.
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