Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-12-19
CHRISTMAS.

The following beautiful article on
Christmas was sent US by a young lady
of a neighboring city. Although pub
lished before it will be new and charm
ing to most Of our readers:
All know what Christmas is and no
historic line need be written here.
Monuments preserving for centuries
the carvings of fame have fallen mid
the wreck of years. The strains Of
the Cliosophic muse breathing the
melody of heroism and musical with
the beautiful character of truth and
virtue have ceased the pecan mid the
awful t~hunderings of Time. But this
day, with Its sacred beauty and
heavenly grandeur, is ever the same to
the world. Alike its presence is felt
in the gorgeous home of wealth and
splendid elegance, where rosy dreams
of youth and innocence are scarce less
brilliant than the joyous realities, and
to the poor who, shiyering, crouch, in
almost despair, around the dlmly burn
ing bearthstones, it brings sweet mem
cries and fond reeollections in which
the soul doth love, to dwell. To-day
merry voices are ringing words of joy,
and thoughts Of love %glittering as the
beam Of angel beauty, are winging
almost everywhere. Prattling inno-
cence with sparkling eyes of wonder,
and HILARIOUS youth with pleasure gar
landed;are aroundthe Preside gathered.
| Even old age with the %recollections Of
its past, its forever past, in happy com
fort is a lord for gratitude, enthrOned
among the laughing throng and smil-
ing home-circle. Beauty from its
couch Of violet visions awakes to meet
the home-lit smile Of love. The wan
derer, far away, recalls his home and
all the gloried memories in sanctity
of moral vision TEEN on his enrap-
tured soul. In his darkened cell OF
dreary, voiceless solitude, the prisoner
a while forgets his fate and on him
beams a mothers face of Borrowing
love. All, as if by magic instinct, fee
a strangely beautiful peace and good
will within the heart. The cloud.
yelled heavens cast not shadows Oel
the Joyous scenes in cheerful homes
fair in all the purities of love as fancy
could depict or happiness suggest
But to the Author Of our life Civ,
praise and let all the earth rejoice 4;
ever mindful that as We are blessed
20 forth and others bless. Along thu
pathway Of life do We find the poo.
and t~Ottering frames Of Wastet
strength and shiyering hope. II
these should we 90, and TO them on
assistance lend. Gifts brilliant as tn.
flashing meteor and countless as th
glittering stars in the crown Of tn
e heavens arc given and are received
Pleasant words and appreciatiYe graf
3 itude are with them. But anon
D these how many bring light and hop
to the doubling mind and aorroWin
e soul How many have, in thei
T f~nendless grief and unpitied miser.
i been made to smile mid the murk
T shades Of poverty what kind wore
y have gone bearing truth and love an
Z hope to the sad opos there
i For in many a lonely vale,
And many q hidden nook.
f, Who's umbraged beauty had no tale
For Pleasures Oft inquiring look;
Flowers there and fades some gem
J. Fit to grace a diadem,
In Natures purity, all %pinless fair,
u Alone may bloom some flower there:
W u buds, il blooms, and lies
N WheTo u greF-pnknown 1t dies.
10 Mid the lonely places of this If
tender buds with all the grace Of i
d nocence and beauty oftruthful virtu
he do live, but not basking in the light
le pleasure or among the joyous throl
@. Of life's happy creatures silently; su
i. rounded by care and dropping nea
n his weight Of grief, their life is nev
in bright. Among these let your smil
n fall as the sunlight Of heaven on {
b. flower, and your words of love as 10
he GUS messengers Of happy minstrel
II Long IN their hearts will the radian
ut CLEAN and ever the melodies &C
~ gratitude and blessing even after
IN things have passed away, and forgc
er ten the mound where the good o
n sleepeth.
&C. AN APPEAL.
lst The Germans baYe a beautiful
nd gend, which they more than half
ng lieye, that on Christmas morning I
90 child born in a stable, reyisits cal
for the purpose Of looking after
ist other little ones. What ii this w
in true2 Whatif the Holy Child W.
nd actually to enter the myriad homes
ng this city this morning2 On one str
he would find beautiful childr0