The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-16
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

ton be not the fact, they observe the deep
concern of our Heavenly Father for our res
cue from sin, and his pleasure that Christ
should be born and thus set in operation the
immediate prelininaries of our salvation.
Then here is proof, too, of the kindlness of
the angelic disposition. The Angels are graft
fed at our being saved from sin and it's con-
sequences. We love TO know others feel con-
Germ for US, and that specially if we be in dis
tress or calamity. Our joy will be Of the
higher type in proportion as those anxious for
our welfare are of an exalted character. What
q happiness to know that beings in Heaven are
elated over the prospect of cur redemption!
We are assured that in some sense or way
Angels are still ministering, guiding US TO the
place where our Savior is. So, St. Paul writing
of the Angels, asks, Are they not all minis
tering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvatiOn?" Heb, 1 IA
Our Savior once said, There is joy in the
presence of the Angels of God over one sinner
that repenteth." (St. Lu., 15:2) st. Peter
assures us the ANGELS desire to look into"
the fact of the Gospel being preached. q Pet,
1 :12) They were present at the giving of
the Law on Mt. Sinai. (Acts. Z: 50; Gal, 3:19;
Heb, II: 1S-21.) Angels foretold Christ's
birth, helped him in his temptation, sustained
him in his agony Of Gethsemane, watched
about his tomb. announced to the women his
resurrection, accompanied him at his ascension.
will return with him ut the second Advent, and
help him on the Judgment Day.
Angels foretold to the hero Daniel the birth
of Christ informed the Prophet Zacharas of
the coming of st. John the BAPTIST; announced
to tine Blessed Virgin Mary the conception of
the infant Jesus; warned and directed st.
Joseph as TO movements for the preservation
of the Child of Mary; guarded JesuS's cradle;
were ut hand when enemies threatened his
life; were at his command from childhood to
ascension, anu are ever about his throne in
Heaven.
The psalmist declares God has given his
Angels charge over US to keep us in all the
ways in which our Heavenly Father would
have US to go, and to protect, in many cases,
from dangers and accident. {Ps., 91:11, IL.
Compare Mt, I:6, and I.u.. 4:l0 IL Our
Savior in his contest with the tempter Endorsed
the psalmists statement. Angels charged to
keep US IN all our proper ways! Blessed as
surance! Aud there is rs much evidence in
the Bible in favor of this doctrine az can
therein be found in proof Of the existence Of
the Being whom we name God. It is much to
/ have Angels on our side. They are powerful,
numerous, wise. They can help US in all our
/ ways; in ways of sorrow in ways of duty, in
\ clouds and valleys, over hills and down sleeps,
| in joys, in tears. in losses, in gains. When we
are ut rest from lonely Wanderings like those of
| Jacob, the Angels form ladders or means Of
communication between Heaven and Ne, max
ing our abodes Of darkness to become Bethels.
/ In tho wilderness of temptation they can
strengthen; at our tOmbs they can watch as
/ they did at the sepulcher of Christ.
,. Verse IL gives us an idea of the state of
/ feeling which becomes us as members Of a COM
mon family. There should be good will among
men. Our Savior has set the example. He
had good reason to be offended at Us, and yet
he came TO earth ont of interest in our welfare,
bringing precious news and blessed gifts. Peace
| on earth! Yea, let it come, st. Paul, writing
| to the Romans. said THE Kingdom Of God is
not meat and drink. but Righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that
III these things wiz, peace etc, serveth Christ
is acceptable to God and approved of men. Let
us, therefore follow after the things which
make for peace, and things wherewith one may
edify another" III: 17-l9 Compare 1 IT..
2: p We are subjects of the Prince OF
Peace. We must be like our Master. The
Angels wish is that mankind may live in har-
mony. They saw in the birth of Christ the Sc
cret OF human unity.
Remembering the condition of our world, we
can see Christ could bring it nothing more pre-
cious than peace and good will.
Holy lovely Peace, with baImy wings,
lis the sweet boon the Spirit brings"
As Christians we are subjects Of Peace and VIZ
must strive for the things which make fOl
peace. 1t is true :" Peace has her victories
not less renowned than War" How much the
BlDle mas 10 say on TINS SUBJECT. r.. p, Tray
for the peace of Jerusalem, viz, for those
who constitute Christ's jerusalem or Church
If it be possible, rs much as lieth in you, live
peaeeably with all men," First pure, ther
peaceable; peaceable because pure; pure, so a.
to be peaceable. Behold how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together il
unity" (Ps., l33:1.)
Fair. infinite blue
O'erarchcs the rain.
Sweet, initiate peace
Lies deeper than pain.
| a sea ever waveless
| SustainS the waves strife,
| And God, ever Changeess,
This change-beaten life"
Good will to men, How many opportuni
ties open in this life to demonstrate such goo,
will! 1t is not without fitness that one of tn
Christian bodies of our land de5ignates Christ
mas as the day for taking an Offering for age,
and Infrm Clergy and Widows and Orphans
Fund" Many of the clergy were for years an
nOuncers of the coming Christ. They Wen
forth telling where Jesus could be found. Go
ing thus forth, most OF them without purse o
scrip. no wonder some in old age or sickness
find themselves without either money or bonds
Outlets for doing good are too numerous t
mention. From each Christian, US a center, "a
date avenues. streets, lanes. on which liy
needy, sick, anxious, tired, discouraged fellow
mortals. We are not straitened as TO person
and institutions calling for help. Our troubl
is as TO means and time. and alas! often as t.
disposition. Let Christmas be n new call to tn
the exercise of good will. Cultivate charity
Away with luminosity. Nurse no grudges
Refuse no proffered hand. Let no one get tn
start ofyou in forgiving. Be willing to explain
Do not stand too much on your dignity.
little cOndescension is better than haughtiness
Humility is worth something in the Christian
market, since it is one Of the factors of exalta
ton. 1t does not require the most noble quail
ties of soul to hate-an Indian can do that.
, does not demand the most beautiful faculties o
mind to be mad-dOgs are capable of that feat
Too great prominence 10 those facial lines en-
abling one TO look cross are not the ornament
of meek and quiet spirit.
3. Remember the source of our salvation
Glory 10 God :" say the Heavenly Messenger.
Human redemption is not self-devised no
self-wrought. 1t is not an invention of man,
tendency upward, q product of human phi
lOsophy, "a survival of the fttest," an out
growth of the schools. We owe to God the dis
covery and knowledge of all the Christia
methods, which are elevating mankind frOT
sin to holiness The Angels we'll knew thil
and so praised our Heavenly Father. We nee
know and acknowledge this fact. The autho
{ of salvation is God. This gives to ehurc
! methods effectiveness We are acting in th
. line of Providence. And the Deviser of re
/ demptiOn has promised TO oversee the method
and assist in executing them. Here is gu
ground for confidence. Nothing can obstruC
I our work. because it is likewise Gods work
more his than ours so far rs regards success
, and worthiness more ours than his as to til
, necessity of salvation; both his and ours so "a
; as it becomes available for our peace and 10
and hope. Had God not interested himself
e faIIau humanity M ono ean tell thu deSoiat,