Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-23
CHRI9TMAN.

W ~ 0NA@L VI Va bho WcAe
by either the railroad company or the
e)unty,
CHRISTIAN.
The day We al celebrate is at hand
and in its anticipation We reproduce
On ARTICLE from the pen Of our gifted
and cultured friend and former sssoci
ate, Mr.. Morgan Hopson Johnston,
nOw connected with the New York
Herald, is a beautiful bit of word
painting and replete with charming
ideas. The article originally appeared
in the Nashville Union and American
several years ago, when Mr.. Johnston
was a young graduate just from the
University of Virginia. No doubt it
will be read with much pleasure by
thousands Of the LEpGER's patrons:
Al know what Christmas is and no
historic line NEED be written here.
Monuments preserving for centuries
the carvings of fame have fallen mid
the wreck Of years. The strains OF
the CliOsophic muse breathing the
melody of heroism and musical with
the beautiful character of truth and
virtue have ceased the raln mid the
awful t~hunderings Of Time. But this
day, with its sacred beauty and
heavenly grandeur, is wei the same to
the world. Alike its presence is felt
in the gorgeous home of wealth and
splendid elegance, where rosy dreams
of youth and innocence are scarce less
brilliant than the joyous realities, and
to the poor who, shlyeiing, crouch, in
almost despair around the dimly burn
ing hearthstones it brings sweet mem
cries and fond recollections in which
the soul doth love to dwell. To day
merry voices are ringing words of joy,
and thoughts OF love entering as tue
beam of angel beauty, are winging
almost everywhere. prattling limo.
cence with sparkling eyes of wonder,
and hilarious youth with pleasure gar.
landed, are around the dreside gath
cred. Even old age with the recol.
leetions Of its past, its forever past,
ia happy comfort is a lord for
gratitude, enthroned among the
laughing throng and smiling home
circle. Beauty from its couch OF
violet visions awakes TO nee. the
home lit smile OF love. The wan
derer, far away, recalls his home aud
all the gloriel memories in sanctity
Of moral vision TEEN on his enrap-
tured soul. 10 bis darkened cell oil
dreary, v~oiceless solitude, the prisoner
a while forgets his fate aud on him
beams a mothers face Of sorrowine
love. All, as il BY magic instinct, feel
a strangely beautiful peace aud good
will within the heart. The cloud
yelled heavens cast not shadows o'el
the joyous scenes in cheerful homes
lair in all the purities of love as fancy
could der let or happiness suggest
But to the Author of our lie give
praise and let all the earth rejoice
ever mindful that as we are blessed
go forth and others bless. Along the
pathway Of life do we fiud the poor
and tottering frames Of wasted
strength and shivering hope. Tc
these should we go, and to them our
assistance lend. GIFTS brilliant as the
flashing meteor and countless as the
g~littering stars ia the crown of the
heavens are given and are received
Pleasant words and appreciative graf.
itude are with them. But among
these how many bring light and hope
to the doubling mind and sorrowinG
soul. How many have in theiI
friendless grief and unpitied misery
been made to smile; mid the murky
shade Of poverty what kind words
have gone bearing truth and love and
hope to the sad one therel
For in many a lonely vale,
And MANI a hidden nook
, Whose umbfaged beauty had no tale
For Pleasure's ot inquirinR looks
Flowers there, and fades some gem
Pit 70 grace a diadem.
In natures purity, all sinless fair,
Alone MAJ bloom ONE flower there,
II buds, II blooms and lies
here IT greT-uaknown 1t dies.
Mid the lonely places of this life
tender buds With all the grace Of in.
nocence aud beauty of truthful virtue
do live, but not basking in the light o
3 pleasure or among the joyous thronI
of LIES happy creatures silently; sur
r rounded by care and drOoping neat
3 bis weight OF grief, their life is neve
D bright. Among these let your smile
fall as the sunlight of heaven on tn
$ flower, and your words Of love as Joy
GUS messengers Of happy minstrelsy
Long 10 their hearts will the radianc.
D CLEAN and ever the melodies echl
! gratitude and blessing even after al
things have passed away, and forgot
< ten the mound where the good on
sleepeth.
} AN APPEAL.
Il The Germans have a beautiful
3 legend, which they more than hal
believe, thaton Christmas morning ID
child born in a stable, r%evisits cart
for the purpose Of looking after al
: other little ones, What II this wer
5 true2 What if the Holy Child wer
0 actually to enter the myriad homes O
this city this morning? On one stree
be would find beautiful children
I guarded from every harsh word
wrapped in velvets and Dampered will
dainties. Side by side with them. ar
0 hosts Of other children, logging thei
footsteps with hungry eyes aud out
3 stretched hands. They are naked an,
: famished and %sorrowiul. They lool
at their more fortunate brothers Will
awe and wonder, rather than envy
y Some Of the baby faces are simpi
a dull and tired; others who begin 4
4 the cradle TO make a fight agains
: death, are fierce and cunning. Ate
G a while they will begin the desperat
I struggle against late and their richie
! brother, which is the whole Of life {
d them.
Is the German legend indeed
a fsble2 Will not poor children meet u
= to-day in every street and allie
with their pale faces and empty, ioy
y less liver Will not the Christ chill
be there 10 see and judge2 Now, be
fore it is too late, is the time 70
Christian hands to be out stretched /
save them body and soul. We nee
:. not stop with weak sentiment. Thcr
4 are Ways Of carving our symnathie