The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-25
A CHRISTMAS SERMON.
a Day for Rejoicing and sinIess
Pleasure.

Remove sorrow from thy hcsrt and put
svii irom thy tlcsh.' Ecc., xi-lo.
God has showa his good will toward
as in special manner by cnGowing va
with fassltics fer enjoyment, and He
kindly provided the objects and means
fer tho exercise and qualification OF
SAoso faeultias. There comes not day
but that We may End some enjoyment,
but in addition to shis how many special
seeasions OF enjoyment wo find in the
present life. But y few weeks ago VIC
were called by orr Presidens to eolebrate
. nations thanksgiving. That has hardly
ceased TO cheer our hearts, and now we
AFRO called by proclamation OF heaven
TO commemorate tho groas fast OF tho
revelation of "Foasc ON oarsh and good
will TO mon"
This we pronounce tho httest occasion
of all the year for putting away sorrow
from our hearts and OWL from our flesh.
Did not God set us tho example when
He, from His great soul, presented the
world with the matohless gift OF His
Son? sic commissioned His angels to
bring US TIE proclamation, saying,
GLORY to God in the highest. on earth
peace and good will toward all men,"
Why should not tho anniversary OF
abis great fact fill our hearts with Joy :?
Tho celebration Of Independence day.
or of the anniversary OF great battle
Alls tho old warriors breast with all tho
old fires of patriotism. The golden
wedding day rcyivcs. after fifty years,
She old flow of affection. Tho faces,
voices and the merriment all revisit tho
chambers of tho old mans soul as he
stands with tottcring form beneath tho
mistletoe, while his faithful wifo leans
Hpon his arm. Despite tho weight OF
years their hearts grow young again.
Let rs yield 10 tho tnticings Of Gods
goodness. and lot the sunshine of happi-
ness flow into and cheer our souls.
Thoro is neither wit or wisdom in that
old idea that makes pleasure sinful.
Many good meaning psoplc have tor
sured themselves with the idea that
there is virtue in long taco and sad
heart, but it is all folly.
OF oil persons tho child OF God has
Inc best of reasons to he happy. The
FIRST principles ofhappincss arc goodwill
towards all men and Il heart at peace
with it's Maker. These tho Christian
must have. These and contcntmcnt
with his lot in lifo IS She hes. for him.
at the came time arc suro to bring hap
pincss.
On, whom will we learn tho lesson that
tho cheerful man has the MOST friends
the happy girl her suitors. tho cheerful
dining room needs no pepsin, while
"bired natures sweet reStorcr, balmy
Sleep" roioiccs 50 fold the happy heart
in arms of rcstful slumhars.
TOt, who doea nos look with torohoG-
ing upon tho coming holidays? but
why7 Simply SO many will go and Stain
sboir hearts with tho Crime OF folly
Along pleasures pathway thcre are 80
many pitfalls 30 strap tho unwary. 1t
rs indeed sad sight to SEQ y man keep
sober, and just because Christmas is the
time of rejoicing, go and Disgrace him
Self with drunkenness. Why should
anyone forget God amid tho rejoicing of
Christmas? DO your children forget
you and curse you because you give
them presents and make them happy.
No, but thoy will love you all the more
for your parental kindness. Then why
ahould any one who is happy amid tho
pleasures OF this world be guilty Of 50
base ingratitudc as TO- forget God, curse
him, and abuse his goodness? Your dog
would not stoop so low.
Enjoy yourselves, but not in doing
those things which you know will iower
you in your own sclf-rcSpoct. Put sin
away from your nesh. Enjoy yourself,
but keep tho honor OF God constant be-
fore your eyes. lest you transgress.
Rev. e. II. BUCHANAN.