Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-12-25
ChrIstmas as Me GroN Older.

As we grow older. let ms he more
thankful that the circle OF our Christmas
associations and Of the lessons that they
b iny expaupsl Let US welcome e.ory
one Of them and summon them 20 take
their places by the Christmas hearth.
Welcome, cd aspirat ons. z ittering
creatures Of an ardent fancy, 10 your
p aces underneath the hollyl We know
you. and have not out ived You yet.
We'come old projects and cd loves.
however fieeting, 10 your nooSs among
the steadier lights that burn around US.
Welcome. all that was ever real to our
hearts: and for the earncstness that
made YOU rea' thanks q Heaven DO
we bui'd no Chris mas castles in the
Clouds nowP Let our thoughts. fiutter-
inc like butterflies am .ng these flowers
OF chi dren. bear witness.
Before this boy there rctches out a
future higher than we eve looked On n
ar r mantle time, but b light with hon T
and with truth. Ar und tais lit e,head.
on which the sunny ,ur.s lie heaped.
the graces 50 IT a. prettily. as airily as
when thererwa no ssythe wit 'ip the
reach OF Time 20 thesr away the ciie sof
our first u we up an Their giris face
near IL N acider butsmiling bright =
quiet but contented little face. we see
b me fairy written.
shin ng from the word as RAYS shine
from tar. we see how. when our traves
are o q. other h pes than ours e yourg;
other he RS than ours are m wed; how
other waves a-e smothered: how other
happiness b ooms. ripens and de- avs =
no. not deca .. for other homes and
W her bands OF children not yet in being.
M I, ages ye, To be, arise and boom
and ripe1 % the end Of al.
Wei ONE everything, Welcome alike
what has been and what never was aud
what we hope may be TO your shelter
underneath tho holly, 10 your places
round the Christmas lire. where what is
shs oren-heartedi In yonder shadow do
we ses, obtruding furtively upon the
blaze. an enemy's facei BY { hristmas
day. we do forgive HIM II the injury
he has done rs may admit of such com
pan'onship. let him come here and take
bis place II otherwise. unhappily. let
him &c hence. assured that we viii new
err injure or accuse him.
The winter sun goes down over
town and village; on the sea II makes a
rosy path. as II the sacred tread were
fresh upon the water. A few more
moments and IL sinks and night comes
on. and light begins 20 sparkle In the
prospect On the hillside beyond the
shapelessly difiusei town, and the
quiet Keeping OF the trees that girdle
the village steeple. remembrance are
cut In stone, planted in common fow-
ers. growing in grass, entwined with
lowly brambles around many a mound
Of earth.
In towns and villages there are doors
AMI windows closed against the weath-
err. there are flaming logs hcaped high.
there are joyful faces. there Is healthy
music Of voices. BE all ungentleness
and harms excluded from the temples
Of the household gods. but be those re-
mem RANGES admitted with tender en-
couragemelt. They are OF the time
and all its comforting and peaceful re-
assurances. and Of history that reunited
even upon earth the living and the
dead; and Of the broad benefcence and
goodness that too many men have tried
10 tear 10 narrow shreds- = CAariss Dick
(lls.