National Republican., 1886-12-25
Christmas.

Inc current christmas NUMBER OF an IL
lustrated weekly paper contains the picture
Of q sphinx raised on lofty pedestal with
the Madonna, and n child clasped in her
arms, seated between the forepaws OF the
hybrid monster. The sphinx may be taken
as symbol OF the forces which ancient civil.
zation had developed. In the reposc OF that
massive figure we see physical strength, In.
tellectual power, absolute calm, and heroic
fortitude. We behold, embodied In stone,
the virtues which an early world copied
from gods Of its own creation, and we are
compelled to admit that the virtues repre-
sented are well worthy OF admiration. The
same human qualities which found favor In
mems minds ak thousand years ago upon
the plains Of Northern Africa maintain their
predominance to-day throughout the length
and breadth Of every known continent. TIE
old virtues we have with us still, renewing
daily their perpetual youth with considerable
additions to their numbers and essential
notifications Of their defects. Strength,
physical and intellectual, has learned to as
sociate itself with mercy; superiority is, In
a great degree, directed by sympathy; and
fortitude in enduring ones own troubles is
most generally combined with the earnest
desire to inllct no unnecessary pain upon
others. The gun carriage bears its DEATH
dealing burden across the battle field, but In
the ruts which rushing artillery wheels have
torn up follow promptly the ambulance
wagons, supplied by Christian brotherhood.
The struggle for existence, though under
different conditions, is still as fierce as
when the river god OF the Nile looked out
upon the toiling gangs that reared the pyra.
mids. The race is not entirely to the swift
nor the battle always to the strong, but
every village OF our new world builds a
schoolhouse as training ground for the In.
evitable conflict, a church TO tell Of duties
and the rich rewards for their performance,
and charitable institution to shelter old
age, distress, or failure, and, with the dele
gated function Of divinity, temper the biz
terest winds to every shorn lamb.
The accepted law OF ancient society, as
symbolized by the sphinx, was world wide
anticipation Of the ruthless cry heard on
every Roman battle field, Vac VictiS,-Woe
to the vanquished; dominating feature Of
existing society is pity for the weak, the
poor, and the oppressed.
What is the essential element In this
change Of public feelingY Civilization is
only long word used to sum up those In
iluences which have helped to correct the
worlds blunders, and is composed OF
factors which are by no means entirely
friendly to Christian precept. Science,
with its hypothesis Of evolution, and stern
principle Of survivals, is the natural ally OF
force, OF Bismarck, and OF autocraey. Lit
erature and art have exercised super
Gcallv humanizing influence. Civil law
and legislation have protected the many
against against the few. But the prox-
innate and efficient cause OF the difference
between ancient and modern society Is
clearly pointed out by the artist, who, in
the picture to which we refer, places the
mother and her child on pedestal with til,
sphinx.
There had been devoted mothers before
the time OF Mary and remarkable men be
fore the birth Of Christ, but the Jewlst
mother alone appealed to universal human
instincts by participating in the glory OF {
Son who found his chief companions among
| IOWly nsnefnen, VINO ulsualueu hot Httl'
children, and who, from the mountain top
proclaimed revolutionary dIspensatlon
which, like the melody of fugue, inter
penetrates the tumult Of the world an
raises Its clear notes above the noise ant
discord of our tumultuous life.
Universal peace does not as yet lie silk
a beam OF light athwart the land" but tn
conception Of such a noble vision first be
came possible on that Christmas mornin
when the eastern shepherds heard strang
voices sing Of "peace on earth, good wi
toward men,"