The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1880-12-23
CHRISTMAS.

The anniversary Of the birth Of the
Savior Of Mankind is close at hand, /
but we scarcely hope to witness a
Of that great event, in
perfect keeping with the teachings
OF Him, who spake as never man
spoke. The churches will be decked |
with evergraons and flowers the
piously inclined will assemble to |
commemorate theholy day sermons
will be preached, minutely describing
the varied occurrences, which trans
pired at Bethlehem in Judea 1881
years before; songs Of praise and
thanksgiving viii be sung the beau
tiful German custom ofthe Christmas
tree, loaded with presents for the
children, will be brought into requi-
ton, and in the home circle, the
tiny stocking suspended from the
mantel, to wait the coming Of Santa
Claus in the "Wee small hours" will
occupy very conspicuous part in
the happy festivities. And If this
were al, sin and sorrow would be
banished from the world on that
blessed natal day, and joy and
righteousness reign supreme. But
alas for poor, weak humanity,
only q very small per cent common
crate the nativity Of the worlds
Redeemer, with an unselish devotion
70 His cause, and in a spirit Of charity
towards all his creatures. The great
majority make the day one of levity
and dissipation, giving little heed,
TO its origin, and perfectly indifTer-
ent as regards the cause Of its estab-
lisment. Some, make a display OF
reckless extravaganza without ever q
thought for the poor and needy, and
many, very many, engage in drunken
revelry, which often ends in tbe cry
of murder For a christian people
in a christian land to thus demear
themselves at any time, and especially
during the holidays set apart for The
celebration Of the anniversary OF The
MessiaL's advent, is a blot upor
our boosted civilization, and a re-
proaeh upon the religion Jesul
taught
We would not be the censors o
the church, its membership, or it
ministry, but we venture to sugges
it, and they are not wholly blameles
for this state of affairs. There is
great deal Of preoept and not enougI
example. There is an immens
amount Of gush over the sinfulnes
Of the world and a lamentable deartl
piety at home There's too nue.
SSqsy religion, and not euougI
OF genuine piety There's to-
much sefshness, and not enougI
charity In word there's too man
church members and not enougI
christians. A mild rebuke to the pro
fame; genuine effort to reclaim tn
inebiatei an organized purpose t
suppress drunkenness and debauch
cry and excess of all kinds during tn
coming holidays; a few practices
Illustrations Of that grei test Of a
christian virtues, -Charity-will d
much towards reforming public mol
ais and banishing vice, and will {
once become a glorious adjunct t
pulpit oratory, sacred songs an
humble, peniteut prayers In goo
works and generous deeds, the worl
naturally looks to the church to tab
the lead. Then to the charity Of thos
who are blessed With an abundant
Of this. worlds goods, we common
the poor and unfortunate. Let thel
remember that a load of wood throw
at the door Of the poor widow or
loaf Of bread bestowed upon Il
hungry orphan, is more acceptab
in the sight Of HIM, whom We wo
ship, than volumes Of beautiful decl
nation poured out in sympathy f
the benightened heather, or Ocear
Of tears shed over the unconvertC
in our own land.