The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-01-02
THE HOLIDAYS.

''PEACE on earth, good viii to men
are the cardinal principles OF the doctrine
taught by Christ. The annual recurrence
of the DAYS haliowed by the birth of the
Prince of Peace brings good viii to men,
and softens the asperities of ,ife. Gen
crosby is a virtue closely allied to char
ity and the Christmas holidays afford an
opportunity for the manifestation of this
attribute of noble manhood. There is
something so appropriate in bestowing
/ gifts at each anniversary of the birth of
Him who fed the multitude in the desert,
/ that the custom has in it something of
the sacredness Of that true religion which
is based or the beautiful charity taught
/ by the life Of Christ, rather than that
modern sort whose corner stone is con-
ventional goodness. The meek and low
| " Jesus taught charity and not doctrine
and the spectacle of divine affection
weeping over the grave of Lazarus does
more to quicken virtue than does the SER
mon or the mount.
1t may be that those whose love provides
gifts which are designed 10 cause happi-
| ness are not mindful of the fact that Jes-
us is the son OF God. But if they pTac-
| tice that charity toward man OF which
the life Of Christ was a living example,
they worship Him who set more value On
the widows mite, who gave out "of her
perjury than on the large donations of
| those who gave from their abundance.
The sentimental good resolutions for
the new year viii no doubt be a feature
OF the season in which is comprised days
sacred to the christian. Religious feryor
viii 10 doubt be awakened in many and
short lived piety viii be mistaken for
deeds which ennoble and WHY the spirit
Of good Will to men" which Christ in
| troduced. But the heart which is sur
charged with charity to all, is the fountain
of true piety and raises man to the up
lands OF practical religion. Prayer is
but the expression Of thoughts which fill
the soul and deeds not words are its
proper exponent. Jesus the Son Of Man
is light to the slzeptic no less than
Jesus the son OF God is the hope Of the
christian who relies for salvation on the
blood which was shed for mans redemp-
ton. Lofty church spires might not
invoke piety in one whose heart viii melt
in ready sympathy in the presence Of
suffering. Christ ate with Publicans and
Pharisecs. Modern christians perse-
cute opposite sects. Christ wept over
the dead Lazarus. Puritans enjoyed the
suffering Of tortured witches. But that
peace on earth" which was heralded by
Christ coming, is daily gaining strength,
and tolerance, charity and good will are
extending their sway over the minds Of
general humanity.
Solomnity carried beyond due decorum
is no essential part of religion. The
Christmas time is a season Of JOY and
more good comes from the spontaneity
of happy heart than from somber re-
| IICtliOIlC O4I lLIC NICAtlLi1CoS VI I41G hOA-iis
The holiday season with its custom of
merry making and gift bestowing brings
man within the warm precints philan
throphy and developes that part Of his ma,
ture which cannot prosper in the cheer
less rays of business. The expansion OF
the heart at the close of the old and the
beginning Of the new year beauties the
clouds which have reached the western
horizon and lightens the future with the
i golden tinge OF benevolenoe. He pray
eth best who ioycth best. Charity is the
first born of Love and he who conquers
selfshness elevates Charity to the throne
OF his soul. The star which guided the
wise men OF the east to the manager at
Bethlehem may provoke q smile of in
credulity i'll an age in which reason
holds faith in subsection. Bat the be-
nign influence Of the Son of Joseph and
: diary is q star of the first magnitude
: among the events from which are evolved
a system of ethics almost as perfect rs
our ideas OF divinity. The nativity Of
Christ IS an epoch in moral advancement
very properly celebrated by the COM
mission Of generous, charitable deeds.
When mans purse strings are kept
drawn tight they become letters to the
soul. The holidays, the glorious Holt
days to which childhood looks with such
expectancy, and which come pregnant
with pious reflection to the religiously
inclined, are over. But they have not
passed without exercising q benefcent
influence prayer frau5ht with SINGER
ity borne toward heaven on the wings Of
loYo.