Arizona republican., 1890-12-25
CHRISTMAS-TIpE THOUGHTS.

The custom ot celebrating Chrlstmas Day by proper Christian observances, as in vogue by that great mother church. the Catholic--is beautiful one. How ever much we may be opposed to cer- tain of the dogmas of Catholicism, all must admit that the church has many features that the Protestant world might well have retained. Why shouldn't the birthday of the man of Judea be equally as sacred day in the calendar as the Resurrection Day. Custom, however, has brought about many changes in the observance of Christmas, yet to all it is unquestionably holy day.
 To the man of the world it brings memories of the childhood home. It presents before his mind visions of those happy mornings when, as boy, ne would get up early to come down stairs and inspect the stockings hanging by the side of the big fire place. How Santa Claus had anticipated his wishes. On chair, maybe, was drum that he had been longing for for days, or per haps wagon or sled that he had talked to his mother about so many times, and wondered if Santa Claus would think to bring him what he most desired. What a sublime faith he had in the omnipotence of that fabled god of the Christmas-tide. He was to the boyish fancy the great Tam of the universe. And then those pleasant comparisons of gifts with brothers and sisters. Perhaps a Christmas dinner at grandpa's, where all the children and grandchildren had collected, and where the day was spent in that hearty good cheer that Christmas should bring to all.
 But change comes. The merry, light-hearted boy has grown to be a man. The old home has been visited by the grim reaper, and is no more. Am bilious and energetic, he seeks new fields, and Christmas again comes round finding him far away from all old ties of youth and home. Perhaps his pathway in the world has been a thorny one. Mayhap he has fallen into we will not say evil habits-but rather, into carelessness regarding his appearance, his pride and his good name. But now on this day of the year he is aroused again. He remembers that old, old story, "l will have mercy and not sacrifce"; remembers that away off in far distant State there is at least one who waits for good tidings from him.
 What if in these meditations he be- comes morose and disheartened and commits errors, who shall condemn him? Away from all the tender in- tluences of mother, of sister, of home, the wonder is not that 80 many young men fall, but that so many refrain from temptation and continue, in the main, to lead honorable lives. Here in this Western country, where there are thou sands of young men thrown into contact with all the evils imaginable, few there are but either are, or become, good citi- zens. Others that seem lost can be reached il only the proper means are used. Not by exhortation, not by prayers, but by good works. By reach ing out and taking them into the home occasionally. By surrounding them with the good influences of a library, of music, and of refinement, for down in the heart of every man is found some sentiment, some reverence for that which is truly good and ennobling.
 On this bright Christmas Day, the man without home is especially sus- ceptible to outside influences, either for good or evil. Should it not then be the pleasure, or rather, the duty, of those who can exert an influence for good to select some one among their numerous acquaintances whom they can help for the day. Help to make the day still brighter for him. Help to make him think that this old earth of ours is not all cold and calous after all, but that along the journey of life one will find some bright oasis that shall for many years cause him to turn back the leaves of memory and gaze upon them with longing and with renewed pleasure.