The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1878-12-25
CHRISTMAS DAY.

CHRISTMAS DAY.
No festival in the year is more wei
come to young and old than Christmas.
1t is the season of good feeling, of ten
der affection, and generous symPathies
The heart beats with a warmer throb
when the chimes announce the dawn of
this blessed holiday. Blessed it is by
the holy associations that surround it
the birth of Christ and the newer and
higher civilization and the charity and
rood will which the new religion incul
Gated between the members of the hu-
man family. It marks the beginning OF
a radically different era in the history OF
man and of indefinite progress In che
discovery of truth in the material and
moral world. Within the last eighteen
centuries, notwithstanding the autiquat-
ed abuses that obstructed the way and
the obstinate resistance OF superstition
and bigotry, mankind have made-an im-
measurably greater advance than IN pre-
ceding ages The arts of peace have
brought the different races into closer
relations, produced better understand
ing, and stimulated them TO friendly ri
valry in the attainment of a higher ex-
cellence in all that relates to the better
ment of the human condition. In some
degree Christmas is the festival of uni
versal humanity, for even they who do
not recognize it are benefited by its in
fueDces. Every returning year is sig
naTized by new conquests for Christiani-
n1Ao Of harharicVy1
penetrated to their remotest depths. The
chains are struck from the limbs of the
slave one by one, cruel rites cease to-
be practiced, sacrifices of human victims
to be made, and the traffic in human
flesh to be carried on by sea or land
The Gospel is proclaimed in the wilder
nesslto savage tribes untutored chill
dren of nature are taught the elements
of knowledge and the proper use of their
faculties Hardy explorers penetrate
the African sOlitudes of desert and jun
gle, and, animated by the spirit of the
age, open a way for.the march Of civil
cation. The time is not far off when
every foot of Gods earth will be known,
its hidden treasures and resources re-
vealed, and the regenerating power of
Christianity be felt in every part of the
habitable globe. 1t is such considera-
tions that give to Christmas an unwont-
ed significance as festival in the esti-
nation of all who cherish the hope of
again seeing the various races re united
into one common family and elevated to
tie highest plane of development.
In lesser sense, Christmas is the hap
piest of holidays. The hardest-hearted
and most selfish ofmen feels that it is
time for doing good, for the display of
affection to kindred, for kindness to the
young, and acts of respect and devotion
to the aged. On this day, at least, he
gives himself truce from worldly cares
and meannesses, and opens his heart to
the genial influences that reign around
him. The day that the children have
SO anxiOusly been looking for has ar
rived the expected gifts have come,
and Santa Claus has found his way
down the chimney into their little cham
bers. When they awake theYFwill find
tokens OF love from parents and friends
that will gladden. their hearts to the end |
of the year. Parents find that they are |
not forgotten, and maidens and youths
keep the chain of sympathy bright by |
delicate presents that recall the giver to |
memory. Pleasant it is to know that |
you still have a place in the heart Of a
fellow-creature, that children are affec- /
tionate, and that some half-forgotten
friend sfiT hears voY1 in rAnnauo bropca
All faces wear a bright smile on this
joyous day that reflects the internal de-
light which reciprocal acts of tender
ness have given birth. ~--l
While there is rejoicing and happiness
at home, let net the poor be forgotten.
1t is a beautiful custom that which pre-
vailssin Germany, where the children
are taught to visit the needy and adesti-
tute, and to comfort their distress with
gifts Of food and raiment, and their chill
drenswith toys and good things 1t is
practical lesson in charity that opens
their hearts to kindly feeling, and to
sympathy with the lowly and unfortu- I
nate. Children have eyes and years and
busy brains and tender sensibilities. Let ,
us hope that nolittle heart viii be wOun=
ded this season-that no seed of discon- {
tent will be sown- They are now every
where IN an exstacy of anticipation, and :
we trust none may be overlooked, how (
ever forsaken their lot. The GAZETTE Il
wishes the little and big children, the 0
young and1old children, each and every h
one, "A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY =
SEw YEAR. 4 fl