The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1886-12-23
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Thoughts Suggested by Chrissnasi.
biblical Recorder


Let all the people be glad. Christmas,
1886, COMES wreathed in smiles. We do
not discuss the question of a December
Christ, a September Christ, or an April
Christ. The time of his birth Is unimpor-
tant. We ought not to know II we did
know, the day would he worShiped. Let
us worship Christ. Baptists especially
should be thankful. God is favoring Us.
No sun shines brighter than our Sun of
righteousness. He not only lights up the
hilltops, but the valleys. Ours is d lloon-
day Christ. Open us unto him, therefore,
our hearts. Shining in upon Us He shall
fill us with all the warmth and glow OF
rejoicing love lie shall melt away all
bitterness. Hatred shall he scorched to
death Sorrows shall be so0thed to sllrm-
| Der Tears shall be dried. Ambition
shall be pursed of its dross and remouldeei
| for heavenly work by means of the heav-
enly fire. New life shall be ours. On
the rushing trains, through the busy towns.
over the country roads. many 90, seeking
| tue old home. Let them go with loye-lit
/ faces and heaven-moyed hearts In these
! glad DAYS Of the holly. the myrtle, the
| cedar and mistletoe. let the thorns and
Calvary he remembered. Not to make Us
sad, but to make us love. Our JOY viii be
all the intenSer. if we shall have in mind
that scene of His victory. That mount has
filled the whole earth. For every thorn
that pierced His flesh, He has million
souls who this day should shout His
praises. To-day we quarrel not with rude
beliefs. All people praise God for Ills
Offering. In his hut of ice and snow the
! Esqumaux strips the scrubhy pine Il
decorate his frozen vault with a greer
memeute of the death of Christ. Under
a schorching sun the native of the Congo
and the 1Oruba gather fruit for a feast II
honor of this same Lord of all. Yates ant
Graves and Crawford and Herring AM
Bryan and the rest of them to-day are tell
ing the story of the cross with create
power, renewed by the thought that sucl
anniversary brings. All Europe, Asia
Africa, Australia and America will to-da'
hear the gospel preached. For us here II
one of the American States, the reflection
should bring great joy. We are waging
glorious warfare. All around the glob
there is the glare of battle for Christ
Every day is victory. On our frontiers
, in heather lands, surrounded by million
: who are against us, men would argue tina
it is wonderful thing to be able even t
hold the posts that have been locate,
there But God makes the conquest
t The years register continual success. lie
, us see to it that our brethren lack not sup
plies and recruits.
And let all spice their Christmas din
: ners with good deeds beforehand. Let II
: one hunger while you are filled. Pres
: into your heart the cordial of carefulnes
for others. To every Baptist man am
woman, boy and girl in the State we sa
send a gift to the Orphans at Townsville
! Count up the cost of your Christmas outla!
e deduct good per cent. of it and send it o
A to Bro Mills. If such procedure does nc
add greatly to the enjoyment of thes
holidays we mistake what it means
} have christian heart.
I And finally, the best wish that we ca
5 make for all is that they may make Chris
! theirs. Do that, unconverted friend, an
e the anniversary will hereafter have In
I more of love and joy and peace than yo
I ever before conceived.