The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1891-12-24
Walks and Talks. No. d


disturbs us, for the wOndrous sky with
its limtless space is not only looked upon
by a multitude of trees, but claims our
attention. Nature seems to say, tor
your picture you shall have trees and the
sky OF the former, we find each in
. glad possession Of little spot Of earth
where they are allowed some lowly shrubs
and blossoms TO love and protect, but in
winter the trees having scattered their
: leaves 10 cover the unconscious llowers
have only their bright memories and an.
tlcipati0ns to cheer them. And are the
trees in winter time filled with gloom, and
is there nothing of gladness where the
flowers were accustomed to smile?
Under fine beech which has SO lately
given to the children its delicious store
of nuts. winter ferns are growing luXuri-
antly in great spreading masses, partially
covered with dry leaves and snow, thus
protecting their delicate tips the mosses
IN almost endless variety keep the ferns
company, and the tiny vines, with their
glowing fruits, creep close beside the ev
ergreens belonging TO the "cluo moss
family. If our tall beech ever should
cease to admire what it has so long pro.
tected, surely the fresh young one, grow
ing close by It's side, will not, for the low.
ru set satin, reach out to find the plumY
ferns. See the pine tree near by with its
wonderful wealth of beautiful cones, and
there cedar wearing its December dress
of olive green, holds, just as carefully,
its small, unpretending brown buds, and
the maple, beautiful, though with empty
hands, seems conscious of the valuable
stores 1t yet keeps safely hidden within its
great heart
Here are rows of yellow brches with
their shining trunks, which the sunshine
just now gilds, giving many tiuts to its
frlnged curling bark. Eyergreens, tall
and sombre, try to look bright and as
though they were accustomed to their
present place In society; for they have
been all summer put out of countenance
by their lighter companions. Now we
are glad to see them properly recognized
even appreciated, by the gay beeches,
naples and the proud oak. Yes, there
they stand, each filling its own place, and
how the soft gray tints harmonic with
The dark, rich greens
We see no gloom here in this great
company of trees, which, were it not for
the mighty forces working within each
hta art, we might call inactive and the
words so full OF majesty are remembered
| UeS hlbO serve WHO SfNuu anu Will.
And what of the SKYE AS to color,
blue, with white clouds moving slowly
Ike sails on the ocean, seeming fairy
messengers Of peaceful even Of glad It'd
ugs. The msts, which morning knew.
are entirely forgotten by the glad noon
r, joicing in the splendor of perfect sun
shine. oh, this sky, even more than the
grand ocean, compels our admiration
But as the one with its voice of many
waters" browns and silences our eager.
but feeble questionmgs the sky to which
we lift our eyes, with its nountide light
seems all aglow with knowledge, and
: brightly bids US wait aud see. The bit OF
: earth, 'the Trees gsrden' is not quite all
we have here, for here is also the good
rosd which leads into the broad world
with its life and hustle, alb yes, and It's
quiet hooks and happy retreats.
Surely our December picture has much
in it OF suggestion, and 1t need not seem
narrow, dark, or cold, with lis grand out
look, and in this season, that brightens
all the year, and warns with its Christ
mas altar fires every heart. We seem to
feel its influence as never before, the sp-
preaching Christmas tide, rs we walk
through these lofty, silent tree arches.
Far away in the olden time when Christ
mas bells had not been set to glaf ringing,
when the dear childish voices had no
thought of Christmas singing, what WAS
the world like? Without this glad mclo-
, dy, how cheerless, how dark, until the
Star appeared and in that brightness
let us see where it rested, even where the
Christ child was. Not strange that the
wise men rtjoiced with exceeding great
Joy" and worshiped Offering costly gifts
| ,.rhi fl NJ,rt
adoring their King.
But when the Father looked for reyer-
ent worshipers who should do homage to
his dear Son, radiant spirit was hidden
to tell the wondrous news. God knew
where the angel would Had listeners for
the story, even those so simple hearted
and pure minded that they could receive
the message of a Saviour. "And there
were in the same country shepherds shid'
lug IN the field, keeping watch over their
npck by night And the Father knew
that these quiet souls would be sore
afrald' am DIST this heavenly glory and SO
bade the angel to quickly tell the good
,idipgs of great joy All, how shall these
5 nple folk know where in David's city to
lind their Saviour when even the wise men
had to be guided by q Starr How the
simple words "in manger' must have
appealed TO those careful tenders OF tocks.
OF truth there was no lack of melody
in the glad hearts of those who hid but
inst heard the good news, but heaven
alone was able to sing that glad proclams.
ton, GLORY to God in the highest, and
on earth peace, good will toward men.
And SO the sheph. rds came out of this
s,cond glory, even that OF holy song,
with no shade of fear after this multi
| H.. of oil
land of song, and full softly the shep.
herds spake to each other, Let US now
20 even unto Bethlehem. How they has
tened where their Saviour was to be
found. No one would marvel now, as
some perchance had when seeing the wise
men with their royal gifts of perfumes
rare no one greatly cared that this little
compsny of plain men found so easily the
mauger cradle, and how much at home
they were under that humble roof. No
shade of trouble had the sweet Mary felt
when wise men or shepherds sought their
King and Saviour, for while "she ponder
ed over the things her heart had kept, .
he, the mother adored the Son.
The wise men looked upon that won
drous face and worshiped and otlel ed
their gifts TO the King, but the rever
ent souls who came besring no gifts, had
their loving hearts full of alteration,
and if the bright angel who so lately gave
them alright in his glory was forgotten,
not so the message or the ''heayenly host"
for their song WAS now to remhin with
them. We think these keepers of iloo Ks
could not have iarried long, and too, they
remembered that these good tidings of
great JOY" though first given to them,
were for "all pc ople," and how they glori-
| iAH s.aa 10 tDlj
them" Methinks they remembered full
well the msnner of praisng, the angelic
host had employed,
Let us often go even unto Bethlehem, -
let us though sfar off see that the wisd >m
when 1t worshiped and offered costly gifts
was not sighted, but guided, led by a
beautiful light taking the form of a bright
star and so delightng these Mai. We
hear the heavenly host as they with rap
ture sing to the shepherds to the world
sround GLORY to God in the highest,
IT'S here we lind our notes OF Christmas
praise If we have the calmness OF spiri,
ihe listening shepherds possessed, and
the "pesce and good will" shall be heard
Christmas means the most to the mos,
worshipful, whether that soul is found In
palace or hut, the hand may hold sceptrt
or simple lstatf. God knoweth and hi
doth lead that soul to fair Bethlehem, hui
let it ever be remembered that on tina,
first Christmas heavenly choir attended
. by cloud Of glory WAS not thought toe
, high to teach the lowly shepherds the
. Christmas snthem. Long has the sweet
) peace snd good will' on earth echoed
and will resound untillthe last holy Christ
! mastide rises and swells into the everlast
: Ing full food Of melody where men made
!. perfect shall vie with angels In theil
"Glory TO God In the Highest"
4. n. 8.