Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-06
Written fnT the CENTEE DIHoCHAT.
Christmas !

""' 'h' t'GoiItCtiouH Vi tHt uhl Will re-
main as the grcenest spot in memory's
garden. For more than a week past
the streets Of Our little village presented
the appearance Of holiday. This is
year OF plenty; in all departments of
uadc there is prosperity, and the peo.
pies gratitude for this boon has been
fully unaffected and appreciated.
A short sermon for the day was
preached in the churches
Greater far than all the mighty rulers
aud heroes of the earth, from the cfea.
ton Of man until the present day, is
the influence OF him whose birth Is eel.
ebrnted throughout all chrstendom to-
day. Even those who do not believe in
His divinity must admit the world is
better oil for the influence Of Christian
ity. In estimating its value, let the
condition of the world be imagined
wi'hou, IT, Before it. advent, every
race had It's own religion. and worship.
pei 'iod devoted to It's own exclusive
interests aud the destruction Of its
cnemlcz.
The very embodiment Of Christianity
is emancipation from this doctrine Of
scltishness and intolerance and the sub.
stitution OF a God OF mercy proclaiming
ard inculcatinr the brotherhood Of
man. And 10 day the man who preach.
es or encourages the prescription or
persecution oi hi. fellowman on account
Of religious faith, i. an unworthy follow.
er Of Him, who, IN ;he very agony of
death, prayed To the Great Father Of al
to forgive the persecution Of those who
hal, out OF mistaken religion. zeal.
sought to destroy Ills life. but 10 whom
the crueihxion Of the soul was impossi.
ble. i, vail not do to answer that any
enlightenment would have brought Us
better civilization, and that toleration
would have necessarily followed. The
civilization of ancient Rome was far IN
advance Of the insignificant tribe. Of
Judea l>>0 years ago. - that Of CHRIS.
tendon is above their defendants llv.
ing there to-day.
Before Christ all religions divided
their followers sYiih ho.tile armies. and
the God Of Israel. like that Of Persia or
Of Rome, was an orfamme Of battle
The Christian God il not evolved out Of
the shadowy legends ot fable, nor frotn
superstition, but l. living God Of flesh
and blood, whose birth, passion and
death Is the most beautiful and touch.
ing Of oil poetic appeals to human sym.
pnthy. No fiction Of the human brain
could equal the Epic which made the
Banner ot the Cross the Conqueror Of
the World and the emblem Of the
emancipation Of the human race from
the slavery Of Intolerance.
In the Presbyterian. Methodist aud
Baptist churches there were special ser.
vices. and worshippers bowed the head
and bended the knee in divine worship,
with the bepediction OF "on earth
peace, good will toward men"
The Sunday.school children in the
village were not forgotten in the midst
Of general festivities There were Christ.
mas trees in all the churches. ladened
With the good things Of the season. and
all were amply supplied. Their little
hearts were full to overfowing, with
gratitude for their teachers and friends.
IL was a merry Christmas long to be re.
membered by the good people of the
place. The ladies, praise be to the good
angels they are, all deserve thanks for
their helping hands. in bestowing the
good things upon the youthful urchins.
Many presents were exchanged, among
friends. The poor were not neglected
or forgotten. They were bountifully
supplied from the good, benevolent
people Of the place.
II was n day of home and ell domestic
sanctity, when mems thoughts. turning
from the haser applications Of life, needs
must dwell in the higher plane of charity
and love, and all that is purest and hest
in their natures rises up to greet and
hsllow earth's fairest dream of heaven.
IL was day Of the golden season of
the heart when home i warmed bv
another fire than that around which
sits the closely gathered circle and in
whose truthful tenderness, sympathv
and gladness, every man and woman
has birthright. As love may daily
renew its youth, 20 may home. founded
on affection thus emphasized on Christ
mas day, daily renew it attraction, and
create tastes that refine our rrosser sle
ments and awaken aspirations that
wander forth from the scis ~ forernu.
neTs OF = worthier future. For this i
The proper bliss Of man. and il in