Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-12-25
Christmas Day.

This is Christmas day. day that is rich with
hallowed associations, a day that. as the Alb
| ingdon TTrpinian says, will grow grander and
grander unto that perfect day. when all ma
| lions and peoples shall bow the knee to Him,
whose birth all Christendom will soon cele-
brate and "crown Him Lord of ALL" Many
shall run to and fro, and knowledge be increas.
ed. until all shall know him, from the least
even unto the greatest.
Upon this day, the pious will travel over many
an hour OF their lives, as they recall the mem
oriss of "the old, old story" when first, per-
haps, it fell upon their infant ears from lips
they loved. From Bethlehem to Gethsemane.
and from Gethsemane to Calvary will they
follow Him-soms with Joy and gladness-at
the thought that unto us child is born, unto
US a son is given" whilst others will dwell
only in the garden wherein the Sun OF Right
eousness had drawn that dark veil over His
face, to be removed only when He exclaimed
ut is finished"
Why is this? Why should they celebrate the
day SO differently? We will leave 1t to the
theologians and those who think on these
things.
The shepherds, while they watched their
f1ocks by night. sang "Glory to God in the
highest and on earth peace and good will to-
wards men," Their eyes were lifted towards
the Star in the East, and they followed 1t.
They were not bowed down with their mouths
in the dust, but with joyous hearts they sang
hosannas to Him they had looked for as the
promised Savior of mankind.
These words of glad tidings that announced
the coming of Christ should bs the feeling OF
us all. How many will truly celebrate the oc-
casion. as it was intended it should be done. no
npQ I'm 10 nF n
hearts.
There are those whose little feet have not
grown weary in the world nor trodden the
"wine-press OF sorrow" and whose only tears
have been like the "dew- drops on the rose"
These are they whose innocent little hearts,
pure as chastity itself. leap for joy. They may
not understand the grand import of tae occa-
sion, but by intuition, their feelings. their
hopes and their fsars but mirror that full
grown faith, and its fruition, as expressed by
Simeon.
These little children, of whom Christ said
suffer them to come unto me-" are special
charges upon this natal day. 1t is our duty to
make them happy. Here we can pour the oil
OF gladness" upon the hearts Of many. Here
we can catch glimpse. by reflection as 1t WERE
OF true happiness. Here we can feel that we
have made others happy. Here we have not
10 wait latter many days" to get our reward.
Their joyous faces speak too eloquently of the
pleasure we are giving them.
But remember there are other hearts we can
brighten while we call forth the merry, ring
ing laugh Of the child. There are those whom
Fortunes rough glance, and ruder hand. have
made sad. There are those who cannot furnish
their children with those things that bring JOY
and mirth to them. Let this be borne in mind,
a
great idea. then truly, "Glory to God in the
highest and on earth peace ami good will to.
wards men,"
The SPECTATOR extends to all Its readers the
most cordial greetings of this joyous season;
wishing them all merry Christmas and a
happy New Year.
Try STRAIGHT cur CIGARETTES and
CLUB CIGARS. CARTER BERKELEY & Co.
DECEMBER "CHoIcE LIrERATURE."-This
magazine, without any rival in its economy
of cost, continues to occupy its place in the
front rank Of literary periodicals. Among Its
December contents we note: ION Being Piled,
a spicy anonymous sketch, presumably by
James Payne; "The Why and How OF Land
Naturalization" by A. R. Wallace. one OF tn 9
ablest English champions of the theory that
tuC lAAO AlBAbiy polOuSs W Tue WuOl6 pc0ple,
and not to individuals; "Wallenstein and the
Drama" very able critical article, dealing
particularly with the writings OF Schiller, who
is ranked by many as the greatest literary ge-
MUS of Germany and his subject. one of the
most remarkable characters In the great Thirty
Years War; 1.-THE Lake George Tour" by ].
ArbuthDot Wilson, very readable sketch;
Inequality in Punishment" by Lord Justice
Fry, one of the most difficult problems with
which statesmen and jurists have 10 deal, dis
cussed with great ability; "The Towers of ST.
lence.''-a funeral custom OF India; Words
worth and the Duddon," a charming sketch of
a great poet and the scenes OF which he wrote
canadian Home Rule" by Lord Lorne, late
Governor-General; 1.-The Future Prospects Of
Madagascar" by Rev. Geo. A. Shaw, the mis-
sionary whose name was so prominent in the
recent complication between France and Eng
land; "Honeysuckle," nature study, by Grant
Allen. poet-naturalist; 'senilla :" Prose Po-
ems. by Ivan Turgeneiff; Robert Browning
an enthusiastic and scholarly paper. by Hon.
Roden Noel "The New Birth OF Christian
Philosophy" an able theological study, by
Rev. Barry; and "Sleeplessness," most practi-
cal and interesting paper by an anonymous
writer. Does any one even OF the s4.magazines
ever present q more brilliant and instructive
array of high-class literature? el.0O . year;
single numbers. 10 cents. JOHN B. ALDEN,
Publisher, New York.