The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-01-05

centres OF population that the question of
interest is dwindling out of sight, and
that of safety is alone regarded. Per
haps the day will come that capital will
assume the position of mere hoard and
not dream of asking usury With all
this present cheer and porospect of com
ing good what wonder that men have
been able to unbend the tension for lit
tie, and chang care, and surround the
blazing fireside with less anxiety than
usual, and more heart to thank the God
who alone can keep us "quiet from the
fear of all evil Surely this Christmas
time should be period of
Gratitude to God for the Year Past and
Courage for the Year to Come.
Indeed to me this is one of the grandest
lessons of our Saviours lowly birth-the
lesson of aspiration and cheer for the fu-
ture. Why but for this did the Son of
God commence his life in time in so hum
BILE form. He might have come on the
wings of the wind with the multitude of
the heavenly host for his attendants
He might have come with chariots and
horses of fire to earth as Elijah went from
1t. He might have come as kings son
and made MS beginning at the top of life
instead of the bottom, in brave palace,
with attendant oourtiers and retinues of
servants, and vast armies to respond to
his beck and command But he came by
the stable door-his cradle not golden
but the manger of beasts, and with no
heart but Mary's to thrill at his birth.
And yet now lie is the real power of this
world, with an empire greater than
Caesars, and millions obey his behests.
Did ever human being have so poor be-
ginning. Birthplace poor-parents poor.
When Jesus started his great and glori-
Ous career his mother for Joseph was now
dead) had nothing whatever to give him
nothing but one poor suit of clothes
which she had woven with her own
hand, (O without seam throughout"
But that gift of a mothers love was more
dear to him than the rich man S purple
and fine linen. He taught in it in Jer-
usalem, though l dare say his uncouth
peasants garb contrasted sharply with
the rich dresses of the city, the broad
phylacteries of the Pharisees, and the
princely robes OF Herod and Plate. But
he needed none Of these things to recon-
mend him. 1t is not the adjuncts, it is
the soul that makes the man. And in
despite of Jesus Iowly beginning, his at
ter poverty, his homely garb, he was and
is, and ever shall be the grandest, noblest
figure, the most remarkable power among
men. 1t was so enacted for our learning
that He might show us every one aDhat
lOe may be and do. A life consecrated to
God, the man who knows how to be about
his Fathers business-the man who lives
high is sure to rise high as Christ did
above all the men of mere pomp and
riches and earthly power
Let US catch something of this encour-
agement for the year to come. Let us
adopt this child whose name is called
Wonderful. into our homes, if we would
have them wonderfully happy and peace
tul and prosperous. Let us take this
child to our hearts if we would be won
derful in our personal force and power.
L care not how plain the man may be if he
welcomes Jesus Christ to his heart He can
make him man of unusual influence
among his fellows. There is nothing
more insipid and colorless than a grain
of clear water. Who would suspect SO
small thing of any pretensions to pow
er? But Faraday lays on it the hand of
his chemistry and forth leaps an electric
force which he estimated at 100000 dis
charges of his large Leyden battery. He
declared that single grain of water on
four grains OF zinc would yield electricity
equal in quantity to a powerful thunder
storm. Let this Christ lay his hand upon
us-let him ilnprison his will in our souls,
and we will thunder and tighten with
strange power. Impotent we will become
omnipotent, mortal we will become i'm
mortal, finite we will become in finite.
A nobody-we will leap a somebody into
the realm and kingdom and equilibrium
OF God. l.. M. c..