Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-23
Thn Chri.,mn. FestiYnI.

This is the festival by which all Christen-
dom commentaries the advent upon earth of
the Gospel of peace and good will TO men. 1t
does not greatly concern us toknow how near
ly the observance of Christmas has been
modelled upon the pagan festivals which pre-
ceded the beginning of the Christian era. 1t
does not matter whether the Christian holiday
is like, or unlike, the heathen feasts observed
in the twilight of the elder world. The wor-
ship of God in pagan temples, purified and re-
dedicated, has been held to be triumph of
faith. And the transformation of the satur-
MALTA of ancient Rome into Christmas Day does
not detract one whit from the sacredness of
the anniversary into which the race has GID
ed by easy stages from pagan rites to Christ
ian ceremonies. Whatever happened afore-
time, we celebrate a day which has long been
consecrated as the date of the anniversary of
the Saviour's birth. Old things passed away,
and all things became new, when the Christ
ian religion first appeared on earth.
The universal equality of mankind before
the law, which is now the foundation of the
Christian state, was first taught by the Man of
Nazareth. 1t was partof His gospelofpeace.
With Him also came that care for the weak,
the sick, and the suffering. which has distin-
guished the Christian religion above all others
that ever appeared on the earth. Before the
| Christian era hospitals for the reception of
the aged, infirm, and those afflicted with dis
ease or wounds were utterly unknown. One
of the early orders of the cross was the Knights
Hospitalers. And this siRnifed great deal
For the building of hospitals for the sick and
houses of refuge for the aged and poor was
only one of many manifestations of the pow
err Of the new faith brought to man by the
first preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Those who would substitute for this system
/ of religion some other form of belief should
not fail to consider what Christianity has done
for humanity. They should remember on
this day, which commonly commentaries the
institution of Christianity, that the anniyer-
sary derives all its significance from its associ-
alton with great work of mercy and charity
for man. As Christianity has taught us re-
spect for the aged and those in trouble, care
| for the poor and distressed, and kindliness to-
ward all of our fellow-men, this day is set
apart especially for deeds of generous kind
ness. In the name of Christ, undoubtedly,
many dark and cruel deeds have been COM
mtted But the light of mankind, the best
blessings of civil and religious liberty, and the
| highest respect for humanity, have all been
cared for only by what we call 1.-THE Christian
nations of the earth"
Whatever may have been the original sig
nifcance of Christmas gifts, and whatever
misuse into which the pleasant custom of pres
|
mas feeling is one of generosity. Innumer-
able tales and poems have been written to in
culcate that love of our fellow-man, that sym
pathy for the needy and friendless, which not
only chiefly distinguish Christmas observances,
but which lie at the foundation of our active
| Christian faith. Those who seek to defy hu-
manity, at the expense of Christianity, seem
to forget that the Christian religion first taught
that high respect for our fellow man, and ten
der care for every creature bearing the stamp
Of human nature which mere sentimentalists
consider an all-suffcient religion. 1t is good
to remember, at Christmas time, that we dc
not only celebrate the birth of the founder OF
the Christian religion, but the advent of a
system of morals which inculcates peace and
goodwill among men. And those who give
gifts and make feasts do well to be merry and
generous upon this day. 1t is the festival in
which we commemorate the institution of the
Gospel sent to tighten the burdens of human
| fAy