The Russellville Democrat., 1882-12-21
CHRISTMAS.

should engender!
 Eighteen hundred and eighty-two years ago, while the shepherds watched their hocks by night on the plains of Judea, the ''angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, l bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saw iour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swad- ding clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying: Glory to God Ill the highest, and on earth peace, good will to man."
 Thus is told by Luke, the evan gelist, the simple story of the birth of the Prince of Peace, the Wonder ful, the Counsellor, and the celebra- tion of the great event by the angels. Could we not learn a lesson from this beautiful story? Will we, as peo- pie and as individuals sing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men?" Or will we celebrate the day according to the custom of the latter days. The day is one that should be devoted to innocent, harmless pleasures. and as the Great Ruler of the universe bestowed on the world the glorious gift of His son, so ought we, in hum ble imitation of His ex- ample, bestow our gifts for the pur- pose of doing good. Look around you and see if there is not some poor, weary one of earth into whose sad heart you could cause ray of sun light to make it's way on Christ's na- tai morn by some little token of re gard-some simple gift that will make the downcast one to rejoice and be glad, and to join with you in singing "Glory to God in the high est" How many in all this broad land-this land on which the Most High has poured out his richest tenn. poral and spiritual gifts-will there be next Monday morning to whom the day will not be happy one And may not such be the case with some in your community, dear read. CT? If there be such one-man woman or child-make him or her glad; do something, be it ever so lit tie, that will make the heartsick weary enc feel and know that there are still some true Christians around him. What feeling of peace will fill your heart, if you thus bestow your gifts with the true spirit oi charity-not as aims, but as an of fering of love for your kind. There is not man or woman in Pope coun' ty, who has been blessed with [ reasonable share of this worlds goods, but who can, if he or she would, each make one person happy on the coming Christmas morn. Out of your abundance, give; and the day will be a doubly joyous one tc you.
 To the readers of the DEMOCRAT we make our bow at the close of tho year; and if by one word or line wt have written, we have been the hum ble instrument of making one per son better, or causing him to be hap pier, we are glad oft and feel tha our humble labor has been amply rewarded. And, on the other hand if by.thoughtlessness we have caused single pang of pain or anger in th' heart of any one, we desire it to b' known that it was an error of thu head and not of the heart, for thu DEMOCRAT has ever striven, whil' maintaining a course that it deemed best for the interests of the who'll
 people, and will always maintain without fear or favor, to preserv' kind relations with all. In the com
 ing year, 1883, the DEaocRAr want
 to visit the homes of all it's old pa irons, and as many new ones as ex
 press a desire for it, and have quiet, friendly chat with each one telling in the silent language of tn little metallic messengers of though all it knows of the worlds doing
 that it believes will be of interest
 And the paper will not forget thu