Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-12-29


nature to be made the subject Of evidence. Its
sacred surroundings approached too near the holy
OF holies 10 have the curtain raised TO profane
gaze. And all the evidence Of such birth would
have amounted TO little II the life to which II was
the introduction had not been distinguished from
all other life. 1t the fulfillment Of his mis-
sion, and not his manner Of entering upon II, that
set off Jesus from all other men. But still, to
satisfy the demands OF just enquiry, to give
completeness to the view Of n mission which Is
mans priceless treasure, to afford opportunity for
reverent and devout contemplation and for Joy
such as thrills the Christian heart to-day, there
was recorded under the inspiration OF the Holy
Spirit the circumstances under which the mission
OF that holy life was entered upon What other
intelligence than that which comes from Gods
theme could have inspired such a narrative
so chaste, so liquid clear, 80 overarched by
heavens unreasonable depth Of light Even
the soul OF an evangelist was hardly clear enough
medium TO transmit the rays of inspiration
upon such theme 1t must be received me-
diately through her who was worthy to give
birth to her Lord. Manifestly only through the
pure consciousness Of Mary has streamed the light
which shaped that narrative which the evangelist
has embodied in his record, luke /: 26-3s)
Surely In view OF this holy revelation recorded
for our comfort and ediication our souls cannot
but with Mary magnify the Lord. The angels Of
heavens grace may lead us by their preaching to
see in the babe Of Bethlehem the Saviour and
Lord Of his people The star Of God guidance
may lead US from afar TO offer our homage to the
King OF the Jews, whose scepter, we have faith to
believe, shall have sway over adj nations. But
when brought by the word Of preaching and by
Gods guidance to offer this worship, we do not
speculate upon, we only recognize the fitness Of,
and adore his virgin birth and his heavenly con-
ception. Without attempting to fathom the mys-
teries Of God still less presumiug to establish or
vindIcate our faith by weighing arguments for
what is withdrawn from the field Of argument; it
is enough for us to reflect with devout yet joyful
contemplation upon the truth revealed to us that
the Word was made flesh and dwelt among u.s.
The purpose Of the incarnation, in its
most general aspect, was shown to be the
creation Of new race out Of fallen man Gods
gracious decree has provided that a holy
line shall replace the descendants Of the
first man whose nature Is poisoned in the
channels Of its descent And 80 there is
given the spiritual instead Of the earthly head
OF the race, and a renewing power goes out from
him which fashions those who submit to its work.
ings into the likeness OF their spiritual head The
first Adam was made living soul of earth the
last Adam was made quickening spirit Of
heaven. This comprehensive view of
the incarnation shown TO lend special sig
nifcance TO Christ's birth by the power of the
Holy Ghost, as a striking symbol of mans spirit
ual BIRTH by the power Of the Spirit into that
race Of which Christ is head Herein we
possess an element of joy in the celebration of
this anniversary beyond that Of the angels who
sang their hallelujahs at Bethlehem. They in
deed could sing for joy at the manifestation OF
Gods glory and the good that was accomplished
thereby for man, in a strain which we cannot at
present reach. But we, unlike them, can rejoice
in the savours birth, because it is symbol Of
wondrous work of the Spirit upon u.s. OF which
they have no experience. This circumstance
suggests an explanation Of the hints which the
Scriptures afford of the high exaltaton which
Christ's people shall attain with him. . .
Why should not all have this hope, because they
see in their Saviour's birth the symbol OF their
own to that life of which this hope is the fair
vision.
In the evening praise service was held Of an
exceedingly interesting character, at which a
large number were present The exercises con-
sisted OF prayer, reading of Scriptures, vocal and
instrumental music, responsive reading, etc,
'7 vice. o "- -" "a e"'' ""'''''
IN OTHER LOCALITIES.
WEST NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. passed oil quietly.
owing To the nuisance law none OF those who in
dulge in the ardent breverage could obtain it.
WATERBURY, Christmas was observed by the
Methodist society. A tree laden with presents
was stripped of its holiday fruit after exercises of
an appropriate character by the sabbath-school.
MoRErowN,-The Christmas exercises held
in this place Friday evening, December "a, passed
off very pleasantly 1t was estimated that nearly
five hundred dollars worth of presents was taken
from the tree. The literary exercises were fine.
PLAISrIrLp.- Christmas was observed on Fri.
dav evening at the CONGREGATIONAL church with a
tree and anpronriate exercises There WAS n
large Neutrality-suspicious. six hundred On Sab
hath evening last Rev q T. Ferrin delivered an
| address, as a memorial service, on the Landing of
| the Pilgrims. The address very interesting,
and listened to by a good house
B,RRp Tho Christmas trees at the IIniver-
salist CONGREGATIONAL and Methodist chnrcbes
Friday evening. were very prettilv arranged and
annronriate exercises ware listened IN hv anita
large audiences Favette Cntler and wife were
| the REGIMENTS of two very nice gold watches
Saturday most of the working class enioved the
holiday. Messrs. Wetmore & Morse sbut down
for the day. In the evening there were trees and
exercises at Goddard Seminary and the Good
Templars' lodge rooms.
w,,rsv,v,nsar,. c,ars has oo,,o and ,,o,a
and left behind him many happy children. The
gathering at the Congregational church was well
attended and the two trees were well filled with
Christmas gifts, among which was a buffalo over
coat for the pastor. Rev. S. Ii. Robinson. After
singing by the choir, reading the Scriptures. a
few appropriate remarks and prayer by the pas
tor the children, the real orators of the evening
occupied the platform The general verdict is
that all did well, but that Harvey McAlster. a
Young man of six or seven summers. "did
weller" A similar marty convened at the
| Methodist church and ALI report good time and
the presents
-cbris,u,as avaro,sas n, tho rr,;o,,
ohrroh on p,;da, o,.a,,n, ,,a,o 49,, a,,,,.n,a
Fverv chud in Tho nar;sb ,v,s Tho ,ocr;sr, 81
.oma ,oIan fr,,n ,ha r,ohi,, Iadan ,raa. and IN
a., c. c,.,,. -. ,...,,aI,, a.
rar,on,harin ,,t, IA aoa ,,oun NJ, auni,ad
,n,.,h,,,;,'s - ,o,,, .aa,a,;os ~ 80 aahIod
| 70 ,,.aaon, Do, Al ua.anha,u,ar ., ,h.
Conora,,a,,onal ohnroh an aI.,an, p,.Ia ana Con-
,,raanea ara..,n, ,o,,n al .I,r,a,, ,asiaas