The Baltimore County union., 1881-12-24
THE CHRISTMAS ANNTvERsARY.

ThE CHRISTMAS ANNIVERSARY.
Again We have the inestiuabie pleasure, or will
on tomorrow. Sunday, December 25th,-if life be
sparsd-of bidding welcome to another anniyersa-
~ Of the birth Of our Savior. What 10 and has
been during several centuries past conceded as the
actual day Of christ's birth, coming this year on
Sunday, obedicnt to long established usage, Mon.
day, the day succeeding, will bs celebrated and
observed In lieu thereof, whilst the actually con-
ceded day Tomorrow, Sunday will command ap-
propriate observance In memory Of the great event
with all Christian nations in every part Ofthe world
in . grateful moral sense.
Our general Government, ever since its estab-
lshment, has with great propriety Acknowledged
this event by the adjournment Of Congress and
such other acts rs were deemed significant Of be.
coming reverence and respect. So Is Il with Gov
ernments Of other Christian nations all over the
world. Il Is eminen,iy fitting that one to whom
oil knees shall bend. one having so exalted an
origin. one whose mission was 90 grand so sublime,
80 benevolent, one who brought life and immortal
ity to light. and finally yielded up Ills life as n
sacrifice for mans redemption and salvation,
should in every sense have all respect and COM
tivity. SO should Il be deemed an inestimabie
privilege with US scjOurners here that the oppor-
tunity Is given US as we journey through life 20
give day in each annual round 20 expressions
aud manifestations Of our gratitude aud giadness
for the gifts and blessings vouchsased to us by
Hin. the anniversary Of whose birth is so near.
II may pcrehance be that many. who, in all sin.
certify aud joyOusness participate in the jubilant
and mirihfal pleasures Of Christmas, often forget
or overlook the countless blessings flowing TO them
from aud through the great Author aud Founder
Of Christianity. Before His coming men were in
comparative ignorance and darkness regar,lin.
theirreai destiny here and hereafter From, there
fore, the dawning Of that morn which gave the in.
fant Savior birth in bethlehem and wise men from
the East went aud knelt down and wor.hippei
Him, to the present hour, civilization and knowI.
eige have been On the increase and the condition
oi the world and Of mankind groxins better and
better. safer and safer. Ilola,ry has given WAY
before the Hood Of moral and in,elg gent ligh, ,ha,
burst forth at this grand event. The thousand,
OF prosecutions, Oftor,ures and Of suffering in con-
sequence Of Pagan idolairy and other institution.
founded upon ignorance. imposed upon men and
vomen-Partieularly the Iat,er-have gradually
disappeared until higher, stronger and more
eonsolns confidence is enjoyed By all in the pro
teetion and safety Of human Institutions. Thi. i.
particularly marked in the blessings and right.
and protection given 20 women who have been
hited out OF the bondage Of ancient heAtheni,u.
or fAgan'sm, to an equality with the loties,. best.
most Intelligent privileged Of the opposite sex.
How joyous therefore mus, be the privilege. no,
alone Of the more tender and delicate ser, but Of
oil who had been kept in suboriina,iOn Ia .un.,.
'u'i'n ana ignorance far back in the ages before
higher morality and better state Of society .prun.
from disseminating the Christian doctrine. Truly
may all sueh-and the whole worid-join glad
so'neiy in the commemoration ani celebration Of
an anniversary such as is near at hand.
Not only II It a day that produces high views
o' gratitude Of veneraiiOn and gladness, bu, one
the annual coming Of which is ever greeted with
JOY because Of i,s many SECULAR pleasure, and
social "reminiscences. On accoun, of the memori..
interviewer therewith the young, the middle aged
aud TO those even 10 lifes "sear and v.Ilow l.,,.
eesets reeOiiee,iOns always delg ghtful, rejavena
hns and cheerful. Il bring. up reflection. linked
with thePas', which, tOthose well onward 10 earth,
Phsrmage are ever refreshing, causing, a. /, were.
the old heart to beat afresh and pul,a,e quicker
with haleyon juveniliy or seeming newpe,, Of az.
istenee. so interviewer are these memori., n,
such season with hours and days and years. with
incidents and circumstance and loved ones. ds.
parted and living, with joys and sorrows. ,ha, all
eeget sacred recOllections and are seen a. beau.
tifui dream.
Ihi' anniversary gives encouraging hope ,ha,
" viii be an occasion Of happiness, Joy and plsa.
te0usns's all over the land en- account Of the abun
dance IN things needed to signai.e such an event.
There has been prosperity and abundance every.
where. Our land has been eompara,iyeIv FREE
from seourges or affection, hence the more sneou,.
agemen' for this being an especially happy Oeca.
"on all over the land. The young and rising gen.
GRAFTON have good cheer upon their side In Il, com
ing and may feeleOnhdent they will improve ,he,.
opportunities. There Is more than the usual ,har.
"i prosperity in business. Wills, life. nsce,,i,is,
are abundant, times prosperous and money being
more Piensiiuliy distributed among the Industrial
classes We. therefore, with these token. Of Mind.
ness almost universal, hoping all may be able TO
Tally rejoice In the coming morrow, mos, earnestly
and cordially wish to our readers and friend. A
Merry Christmas.