West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-01-06
DIR. DALuAGES,s CHRIsTMAS
SERMON.

A'the Brooklyn Tabernacle there wat
so large an attend Ece Christmas morning
that many could not get Inside the doors.
Festoons OF eYergreens. friDged TIE EOS
trum aud the organ. Mary beautiful
evergreen wreaihs and stars of varied
construction were displayed, aud sur
mounting all was a big gss-lit star on the
top Of the organ. There were a few rare
hoTer9, chiefly o~Xotics, in wreaths and
yaoes, the one an the reading desk being
evidently the work OF affectionate hands.
Across TIRE organ, on u red ground friuged
with eyergrecus, was the text: For unto
you Is born this day 10 the city OF David
a Saviour which is the Lord"
There was extra music. Mrs. Flor l. c
Rice-knox sang "Hsrk, the Herald An
gels Sing" composed by herself, and
Gounod's Nazareth" Coruetest Peter
Ali played a solo composed by himself.
Nativity Organisl George w. Morgan
played Handels For into us a Child is
born a selection Of Christmas hymns,
and Moztrt's Twelfth Mass.
DIR. TalmaGe drew a picture of Bethle-
hem n the surroundings of the Saviour.
II showed that indulgence was pot always
significant uf degradation. He SAID that
poetry, science, literature,
laws, contributions, AMI liberty, IKE Christ,
were born in maugers. All these have had
their Herods who sought to destroy them:
their lscariots who betrayed them; their
recreants who crucifed them, and thclr
sepulchres that confined them until they
burst forth in the glory of resurrection
A strong character was like the rhododen-
dron, an Alpine plant, that grew Fastest
in the storm. Men were like wheat. all
the better for being failed.
Another lesson from the story of Chrlsts
birth, DR.. Talmqge said, is that it is when
we are at our useful occupations hat we
have Divine manifestations. If the shep-
herds had left their iocks they would not
have heard the song of the angels. Tine
nun who means to go 10 heaven must
mind his business. Elijah was plough.
ing in the field when the prophets man
tic fell on him. Matthew was ATTENDING
to his custom house duties when Chris,
called him. James and John were fl ,ner-
men. Gideon was at work in the field.
The Prodigal Son would never have re
formed II he had not gone into business.
Those who have nothing to do are in un-
favorable circumstance to receive the
DiYine manifestation.
Aaother suggestion OF the story was
that the religion of Christ is bot dolorous
or grief infusing. It's music is not a dirge
but an anthem. Christianity does moi
frown upon amusemcnts. 1t is as grace
tul in II charade as in holding a psalm
book. Ii sings as well at Surrey Garden
as at 81. Pauls. Christ 1ept that we
might laugh. Chrisl's story impresses
The fact that glorious endings sometimes
follow feeble beginnings. The grace Of
God in ones heart may be but a feeble
spark, but God keeps both hands over il
for fear that it Will be blown out. Christ's
mission had an effect upward and down
ward. The angels called all to celebrate
1t oecauSe 1t was FOR the benefit of all,
Inc thought of peace was new TO Rome
that had trompled on Assyria, Corsica
sardinia, Macedonia, and Egypt, all of
which had crOuched at the CRY of her
war eagies. She had honeEed scin,o
Faoius, and Cesar, all Of them men of
blood. WHAT contempt they must have
pad Tor Christ in his humble garb start
ing out TO conquer the n|ationsi
THE earth, ne continued, has had
buicheries in all ages. Edmund Burke
said that there had been $50, 600, 600. 600
spent in slaughter. But he did net in
clude 10 that estimate SO 600 900 600
spent in our civil war. OH if we could
this morning take our position on some
high point and see the worlds armies pass
by, what a spectacle it would be!
There 20 the hosts Of Israel. There
90 Cyrus and his armies. There goes
Alexander leading forta ais hosts to IN
qler ali the world but himself. There
goes Napoleon leading his armies through
bgypthke a thousand plagEea and through
RUSSIA like a thousand icebtr2s. There
go The butchers Of Delhi and Allahlba
tue inbumaD Sepoys, Oh, tears! Oh, blood.
Oh, long marched Oh, hospital scenes,
On, martyrdom! Oh, death! In view Of
all this what glad iidings-.Peace on
earth, good will 10 men What = grand
thought that 'all men must include IN.
millions upon millions yet to occupy tbi.
broad earth, only Que t~bousandth Of
which is yet cultivated Aye, even wa,
through the snake.infested iuuples
Africa Chrisrs heel shall bruise the
setpents head.
Put your hand on yoar heart. ONE
two, three. Three times less il will beat
is passing like an exhalation over
Ware are sweeping like pelr.ls
over the sea. Death comes down like a
from the mountain. Eis.Drv
folds up years ike wiugs. Heavenly
songs fall 20 us like stars.
"J wish you all a merry Christmas MOI
10 The worldly sense, bu. wholly with
gospel siadDess holy With plrIoncd sin.
holy 10 The hope of reunion 10 Christ.
"God grant that in the ansl moment we
may heYe that bright vision which came
.o o dying gul whr0 she said. .M5fbrr
what is tnat beanui1I land our y9ndrr b,.