Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1885-12-22
H0sToEyiiLE. LINCOLN COUNTY.

From force OF habit, or propensity TO
mediate, or a. symptoma,ic OF Q chronic
case OF cneoe,hes Seri6endi or for some less
respectable resson, sl~sys have q desire
10 be one Of the cosy crowd Of correspon
dents. who usually meet and chatter In the
columns Of the INTERIOR JOURNAL at or
near the closing hours OF the parting year.
Now don't be alarmed Mr.. Editor! and you
kind reader accept my assurance that can
not conceive OF such thing as originality
10 Christmas carol. have vague idea
thu, during the last 1900 and odd years the
subject has been mentioned more than once.
True, the classic Heather Of antiquity are
silent Ia reference to it. II was their mis-
fortune ie live and die without the ecstatic
scenes and sounds Of g CHRISTMAS festival.
David, old Isrsel's poetic King, would have
rejoiced to tune his harp TO such a theme,
and With the aid Of an annually recurring
festival, might have weaued his maynard
boys from the frequent escspsdes 10 which
they seen TO have delighted; but David liv.
ed too soon.
During the long line OF ages since the
institution Of the festival it has never lost
its interest for all classes OF people. The
bright genius OF Washington Irving caught
inspiration from it's suggestions, and the
great heart Of Dickens pulsstsd more kindly
as he wove his glowing fancies into lessons
OF gratitude and praise, philanthropy and
fraternity.
The mode OF celebrating the day ia not
always the most appropriate or rational.
Much that has been said and dane during the
festive season is utterly foreign to the ori.
gin and design, the idea and significance
Of the institution. 1t is q birth. day cele.
bratiOn. But why so widely observed, 90
long commemorated? Because it il the
anniversary OF an event OF more importance
to the race, more momentous in its iphu.
encs, more glorious in its results than auqht
else and all else that ever affected the hu
man family. 1t was a voice OF cheer
and hope and deiiverancs from four
thousand years OF gloom and agony. 1t
was solution Of the problem which had
bsfled the wisdom OF every age since the
world began.
1t was the ful6lment of a promise on
which the faithful had leaned, and for
which they had waited for forty centuries.
There was significance in the political
phase OF the earth at the time OF It's occur
renee. The conflicts and convulsions which
had dyed the world in blood ceased for
time to utter their discordsnt notes. The
powers Of earth seemed to have paused for
a time, and to be awaiting a development.
Nor was earth and its teeming humanity
the only interested watchers. The heaven
ly hosts were waiting and watching too;
and when the event took place the choral
angels hailed the advent with the song
"Glory to God in the highest. And on
earth peace; good win to men," Then
was proclaimed the true signi6caucy
Of the incarnation. Then was the initia-
tive and the reason OF the gladness with
which We hail this time. honored festival.
We do not all regard it as a religious cele.
brstiop; but yet we all-toddlipg infancy
and trembling sge, inflated wealth and psllid
poverty, bonyant health and wasting dis
esse-we all look forward with a common
and undying interest to this one festival
We may not all unite in Inscriptions Of glo-
~ to the Bestower Of every blessing-we
may not all take in the fullness and the
vitality Of the expression ION earth peace"
but we may and do, appreciate, dimly,
inadsquately may hap, but still appreciate
and re-echoe! from our hearts the senti.
ment good will toward men," On this
common ground then let us stand. As we
rejoice to-day in possession of health and
friends and worldly comforts, let us con.
slider those less favorably situated. Is
there not a brooding spirit somewhere
which we can reach and warm and cheer
with word or &C, of kindness? Is there
not somewhere a wesried, worn and friend
less one-almost ready to exclaim that
there is no sympathy on earth into whose
despairing soul we can send the glad as
surance of good will toward men, and
whore cherries spirit we can irradiate
with the word and smile of kindly intere est?
Is there not somewhere a little child g'z
ing with longing eye upon the tasteful
toys and gittering gifts Of the season and
learning in its most cruel form the b tier
lesson Of adversely, whose heart we can
make glad by remembrance at this suspi.
cious season? Let US not permit the week
to pass without some record OF word of
comfort spoken, weary burden lightened,
a kindly act performed.
One Of the boarders in private boiding.
house in this city, not over prompt in pay.
ing board.bills, grumblingly observed,
morning or two sgo, in the hearing of the
"boardng missus;" This &C flee isn't set
tied" 81 guess it will be settled before
your bill is settled" she quickly retorted
This was settler he little expeoted. /.