New-York tribune., 1889-12-25
CHRISTMASTIDE.

Gus Christmas tlme,, has Tor thOusheim hiihuS
and should have for all significance far be-
yond the selection of toys for the little ones
and keepsakes or works OF beauty for the
mature The rarest and choicest presents, IN
which the good of man for man may De
expressed, are of kind not measurable IN
money value-of a kind too, which cannot
always be bestov ed on a single day IN the
wear. The works which change for the better
the face of the whole world and bring lasting
happiness TO millions, must be accomplished
when opportunity is ripe, and often after years
of devoted effort. The grand ideas which heip
to uplft and ennoble the race must be gwen
to the world when the soil OF human thoughU
is prepared to receive them, and IKE many Oh
the choicest presents received this morning
will only disclose their whole worth after the
larse of time and the slowly acquired mastery
of constant use.
The blessing of all blessings to our race,
which has made Christmastlde dear 10 inc
heart. seemed to eyes not inspired an event
of small significance, as the resurrecuoh
seemed at first to the sad followers OF cruci-
fed Redeemer only brief and almost 1rulV-
less return to bid lasting farewell. But the
life and suffering and resurrection have
changed and blessed the world beyond all pos
sibility of human understanding. SO the deep
est meaning of Christmas time is that 1t I'M
plants and chershes in human hearts that
spirit of willing sacrifice and devoted effort Tor
the good of others by WHICH the laDors oi 'ie
whole year are directed, enlightened ana
made fruitful in human happiness when the
little child foregoes a pleasure in order 10
bestow a gift and pleasure upon another'
there is sown the seed which may produce
noble life. In like manner, when the mature
employer in French village, who had risen
from the ranks of toll to become the head OF
thousands of workers, o1ercd each of them one
Christmas Day yearly share thereafter IN the
profits of the works. he set in motion an IN
dustrial revolution which has brought nch re-
suits in many establishments and many coun-
tries and in one form or another is steadily
extending. To the employers and workers the
Christmas lesson is suppression of selfish strife
and beginning of willing and hearty co-opera-
ton for mutual good. If that spirit could fully
rule in the counting-room OF employers ana
in trade organizations throughout any coun-
trv. how far that blessed land would soon
seem to have advanced toward the millennium.
The best Christmas gift that any one OF us can
give to mankind is a new spirit of mutual con-
fdence consideration and helpfulness. Wher-
ever that supplants the warring greed OF in
diyiduasm the good seed is sown again, to
multiply in other minds and other works and
shops without number
The spirit of Christmas should bring, into
the councils of all in authority and all charged
with the making of laws, kinder and juster
purpose to defend the rights and care for the
welfare of the millions. Often no other task
can be set which calls for more devoted self
sacrifice. for what the millions ask is not al
ways that which will promote their welfare.
Often the multitude which cannot see are fore
most to revile and trampe upon those who
struggle wisely for their uplifting. 1t hap
pens not rarely that the measures which will
do most good are those which are most un-
popular But it is not those who see, but those
who are blind, who most need a guide and
helper. The ignorance of many should be the
strongest appeal to the devotion and the wis
dom of those to whom light and opportunity
have come Laws and institutions, not merely
of the people and by the people, but for the
people and especially for those who either
cannot know or cannot act for themselves, will
make this happier and more prosperous land
for all than any can now realize Laws to
bring justice near sure and cheap to the poor
and helpless would confer blessings on all.
Laws to defend each industrious man and
woman in freedom of choice and of labor with
out oppression by individuals or organizations,
would make life richer and more prosperous
for every citizen.
If the kindly and tender spirit of Christmas
Day vanishes the next morning at the first rude
contact with the hard world, if the greed and
the habit of strife come back and the impulse
of mutual helpfulness disappears the day will
have failed in such hearts Those will know
its blessing best who carry with them through
the year. in fields and workshops and count
ing rooms and legislative halls its highest and
nOblest inspiration.