The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-05

the town that day. In every home
shadow rested, cast BY the thought Of
his home. In which the gloom OF his
death could not at once be frightened
by the glow Of his heroism.
A Baltimore boy hazardcd lis life.
some months ago, to save his friend
from drowning. He received medal
from a society and letters Of common
dalton fcom the President of the United
States. from the late President. from
Senators aud Governors and divines
and men Of renown in every pursuit in
life. He deserved them all. But the
self-denial of Willy Lynch made Of his
life not only.a venture, but sacrifice,
and lifted him to height where the
praises Of earth greatest voices cannot
be heard. No one who knew the facts
ever doubted that his life could have
been saved, if he had seized the oppor-
tunily offered; no one has ever doubted
that he laid down his life for his friend.
This is an example worthy OF your
remembrance, my boys. The world
will one day tell you that the working
principle of success is, Let every man
take care Of himself " This is the IN
stinct Of tho selfshness which is in us
ell. II lies at the bottom Of most Of
the cruelty and the suffering in the
world. Christianity sets before us 0
nobler example in Him who, while
we were yet sinners, died for US" II
TO be is worth more than to hare, If
character is worth more than wealth.
how poor are all the money-kings when
compared with that boy who sank into
death that Christmas DAY. And does
not his heroic example enable Us TO un-
dcrstand in part what the Savior meant
when he said, "He that loseth bis lie
for my sake. the same shall find it unto
lfe eternaly"
II any of you who read this true mar
rative shall ever find yourselves in the
town Of Lexington, Virginia, you viii
naturally ask to be directed to the
chapel under which lie the remains OF
General Robert Z. Lee. AS you walk
around the audience.rooiI, you will no
tice a marble tablet on the wall, which
will remind you Of this story, and you
will read
IN Memory OF
William G.. Lynch,
OF
Louloun Co.. Virginia,
Drowned in an
Heroic Effort
To Save the Life ola
Fellow student,
On Christmas Day,
1878.
And as you read, you will feel that no
Philip Sidney on the field Of Zutphen,
no Roland at Roncevalles-not even
Surgeon Amber. Of the Jeanette,
whose memorial tablet sill be just be-
hind you-died a nobler death, or holds
firmer title to be lovingly remem-
bered, than the brave boy whose memo
rial you will be readiDg.-Sunday-
School Times.
Lexington, Va.
CHRISTMAS THE YEAR THROUGH.
How closely the sentiment o. Christ
mas comes home to us And why ?
Because il is that of fraternity. IL isl
the day which is every year consecrated
to recalling the central truth that all
men are brothers. Do we sometimes
forget it on other daysY In London in
the Whitechapel region, in New York
when there is striking ON the railroads,
is there an active and efficient septi-
ment of fraternity Is this hummiug
city a hive Of peace and good Will, and
do brethren dwell together here in
unity
Mr.. Howells has been printing every
week for the greater part Of the past
year, chapters of "A Hazard of New
Fortunes, story Of profound inter
est. and is as vivid a tale of distinctive
American life and character as we have
had. 1t answers the question Of the
kind and degree of our urban fraterni-
ty. Can that have been the au-
thors purpose? Can ne have
been, so to speak, stulling a lit
tie Of the story week by week
into our slockings-that Is to say, into
our minds and hearts-thai by Christ
mas morning they should be full, and
we should be cornered by the wonder
whether we do merry Christmas every
day, or only wish it on single morn
ing in the year, Is this our new-fash-
toned wait beneath our cottage caves 2
Is this the nineteenth century carol
that we cannot choose but hear
However that may be, the burden Of
Christmas is fraternity? The feast of
gifts commentaries the charity that
never faileth. Perhaps there is not
general going to church. But the les.
son Of the day is preached by the
thoughts and associations. by the senti-
ment Of the day. The bells that ring
on Christmas eve and chime on Christ
mas morning, the universal good wishes
and worship Of Santa Claus, they are
the modern way in which we hear the
notes Of the angelic choir--peace on
earth, good wall to men.
And brethren-for somehow the easy
chair seems to have assembled the Christ
mas pulpit-how much do we need
them How much Of the Christmas
spirit and Christmas conduct do we
carry into every other day of the year