The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-12-22

4
queath his fortune, except milk maid. and
she would not know what to do with it ~
Archbishop Usher, himself a wonder of
learning, preaching Selden's funeral sermon,
said that he looked upon the deceased as " so
| great scholar, that he was scarce worthy to
carry his books after him. This at seventy !;
and now a word n.conclusion for our future
counselors and rulers, still in their boyish
jackets. If they visit Selden's birth place, at
Salvngton, they may yet see how he began to
carce has fortune. On the Intel of the door,
inside, rudely cut with pocket knife, the
work of little John, at ten years of age, is
Latin couplet in capitals and small letters,
oddly mingled, the English translation of
which runs thus,
q Thou rt welcome honest friend walk In, make free
Thief, get thee hence, my doors closed to thee"
December 81 is St. Thomas's Day. This
Apostle and Martyr is sometimes spoken of as
" the faithless Thomas" because, being not
present with the other Apostles, on Easter
night, when the Lord visited them, he de-
clared he would not believe the glad news of
Christ's resurrection unless he could have
the evident proof, with his own eyes and
hands, of his Masters death. wounds, the
print of the nails, and the spear mark in His
side. We like, better, the way in which the
Episcopal Church speaks of this demand of
St. Thomas, that Almighty God, for the
greater confirmation of the faith, did suffer
His holy Apostle Thomas to be doubtful in
His Sons resurrection" 1t gave fuller de-
monstration of the truth to Christians In
SELF it was not a cold, hard incredulity a
doubt because he did not wish to believe, but
only the exacting demand, the trembling hesi-
tation Of an ardent love, co-existing with a
certain natural dependency of disposition.
We see the same temper showing itself in his
share the worst, when Lazarus was dead, and
he feared they would Stay the Lord" Let us
also CO. that we may die with him."
st. Thomas had wide missionary field
Parthia Media, Persia, and then the South of
Hindostan, where, on the Coromandel coast,
there exists to our own times dwndled COM
munity of Christians, who still call themselves
by the name of st. Thomas, and claim that
their Scriptures and their peculiar customs
were brought to them by this APOSTLE His
name signifies a Twin, and in the Gospel we
have its Greek equivalent, Didymus, also
given. His death is ascribed to the enmity
of Brahmins, who with some native prisoners
fell upon him, while he was at prayers, and
Killed him WIN stones and darts. The long
Of t1,a -.
India, furnishes one instance of the so COM
mon case, that "the blood of the Martyrs is
the seed of the Church,
Before our next talk with our readers they
will have celebrated the Christmas festivities,
in which we heartily wish them all joy and
rational merrimeut.
The feast of the Nativity is one of world
wide interest, and of almost worldwide COM
memoration. The Christ Child is to be found
by His true worshippers and lovers, first in
the cradle, SO lowly," where the Shepherds
behold Him next " in the house," where the
Wise Men bow down to Him, with gifts ;
then, in His Fathers House. the Temple, with
the doctors, and His Mother and Joseph.
We should give these three seekings and
findings practical rendering, for our own
modern times and customs, and look for Him
in His Church, in our Christian Home in the
persons of tho poor" the Christ. Child at the
door,"
We would suggest once moro to our readers
as timely and pleasant occupation for one
hour of the Christmas Millions magnii-
cent Hymn Of The Natioity }; and to the studi-
GUS and the thoughtful who are won't to be
sad when the Christ-feast comes to their
homes, that have now lost somewhat of the
earlier love-light and gaiety, by reason of
death, we commend Tennyson's In Memorians
as congenial companionship, especially in its
Christmas staDzas.
'sThe time draws the birth Of Christ.
The moon Is hid the night Is still;
| The Christmas bells from h Ill to hill
Answer each other In the mist.
This year | slept and woke with pain,
/ almost wish'd no more to wake,
And that my hold on life would break
Before heard those bells again.
But they my troubled spirit rule,
For they controlPd me when a boy
| They bring touchd with joy,
The merry, merry bells Of Yule"
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