Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-12-25

Bells indeed iung out on the frosty air,
but how differeut from the chimes of old
They were the hand bells of the heralds
in simple gar0 passing iron street to
street and shifting the air and crying
out:
No Christmasi No Christmasg'
Heads Iilled the windows and figures
the doors. Crowds stopped on the COR
ners of the streets and in the SQUARES.
The cry went on:
No Christmas! No Christmas"
1t smote the hearts of those who loved
the old ways ond customs. But the spirit
of the time was not lost. In the silence
of the long procession of English tests
walls, the Law of Christ was not the less
ooeyed. 1t was period of great moral
lty and fruitful piety. 4 period when
the nation was conscientious and strong.
The Star of Bethlehem was still shining.
A great change followed the Restora~
tion. The Christmas bells rung out once
more The waits again sung their carols
at the gates of the old feudsl halls. There
were merry makings under the ever
greens. 1t was at one Of the Court Christ
masses OF these years that Charles knight
ed loin of beef, and gave it the name of
"Sir Loin." The festival in the DAYS OF
this "nerrie monarch" became a reyel,
after the Puritan silence.
A Genosse mariner believes himself
born to carry the gospel of Christ to an
unknown people and an undiscovered
world, world lying in the mysterious
waters Of the West. He travels from
city to city seeking powerful patron
until at Sante Fe in theS South of Europe
takes place the memorable meeting with
the king and queen of spain.
With an equipment of three ships he
looses from Palos and sails to the nys-
terioas waters whose secret shores no
eye has seen. Golden days come and go;
nights of calm, and new stars. Near
midnight on the eleventh of October.
1892, he sees light in the far horizon,
knows his destiny is accomplished, is
sure God has fulfilled the prophetic
of bis Columbus, the
seeking dove. Morning comes; the New
World stands revealed; he leaps OF
shore, unfurls the banner and cross of
CASTLE and sings Te Deums.
The missionary mariner sails away
again. He discovers Hispaniols, and
here he and his followers offer the irst
Christmas devotions in the New World.
Sante Fe, on the Rio GraHde, was
probably the place where the first Christ
mas anthem was sung in our own land.
Coronado visited the region in search of
The Seven Cities of Gold almost one hun
lred years before the Mayfower sailed
INTO the Christmas-tide storm of Prov
Hcetown Bay. The Franciscan mission
aries soon followed Coronado.
How poetic must have been the first
Christmases in the new born town. The
mission church is surrounded with
whose SUBMITS are covered
with eternal snow. The sun of the fitful
December day goes down leaving every
peak colossal monument of light and
'plendor. Evenings curtains fall. 1t is
Down the light ladders of the
DueblOs come the descendants OF a race
Unknown. and make their way to the
,aurch. Music tells the tale of the Vir+
gin and the Child. Then arises the Glo-
la, and it floats cut. like breath from
he Bethlehem angels over the mighty
that are to become the habita-
ions of the dominant race of the world.
rhe moon rises over the mountains and
.urns into whiteness pueblOs and chapel.
IN tho bright air stands the mystic sign
If the cross like a shadow. and there as
lends heavenward IN the silence the
'weet words. in the Latin tongue, -On
,arth, peace" The Star that shone over
Bethlehem and the nations of the East,
las risen upon the West.
So the Christmas Days of the New
World begin. Cbamplain died in the
Jastle of st. Louis, Quebec, on Christmas
Day. The French Christians celebrated
he day at Port Royal, Canada, and in all
he settlements of New France.
The Christmas of the Maytiower was
doubtful and dresry day-a day of toll
nd hardship. Christmas night brought
storm of high wind and rain. the vessel
ossed, and although PuritaDs in senti>
nent and life, the Pilgrims must at the
vening Bible-reading. have thought of
he sweet chimes of Lincoln, the white>
towers of the brightly lighted
English fanes. and the glad household
estivities of the heme country.
In the Chronicles of the Pilgrims may
g found the following extract:
Munday the 25th day we went on shore
0 fell some timber, some to rive (hew),
nd some to carry. So no man rested all
hat day.
Munday the 25th, being Christmas
)ay, we began to drink water aboard,
ut at night the Master caused us to have
ome Beere, and so on board we had di>
erse times now and then some Beere,
ut on shore none at all.
The Pilgrims were severely temperate.
ut on the rocking ship, with the wind
eating against, and the rain freezing
pom the masts. the Master of the ship,
is heart warming with the memory Of
le Merry Chaistmases of Old England,
roffered to his stern and sorrowful pas
,ngers the best cheer he had at COM
Iand. To this, it would seem, Carver,
radford. Winslow and Standish did not
Djeet, although they would not allow
leir men to pass the Christmas In idle
ess and ease, when some of the men
'ked for rest on the ancient holiday.
Te may imagine the scene under the
Vinging ship>lamp of that tempestuous
ight, and we must feel thrill of friend
ness and gratitude towards the Master
the vessel in whose heart stirred the
le Christmas sentiment, even if it could
nd no other expression than dsanght
"beere."
There were dark and silent Christ
ases III the times of the Puritans. But
u natural joy and glad observance of
Ie gladdest event in the annals of earth
on began to grow; and now under the
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