Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-12-23


The old heather druids were wont,
evergreen, the holly and the mistletoe
from the forests to decorate their tenn
pies, long before the grasses and the
corn leaves rustled about the head Of
that marvellous child in Bethlehem's
stable.
Grave and dignified men, during the
Saturnalian days of southern climes, at
our Christmas period indulged in the
feast of fools" when they gave way
to all of boys abandon hilarity, ages
anterior to that era, when the wise
men from the east" bent in wrapt con-
temptation over the Baby Boy, who lay
in sweet unconsciousness in the manger
midst Judea's hills.
Out of the twilight of heather coun-
tries has come the children's custom of
hanging the stocking near the fireplace
for the good fairy to fill with knick-
knacks so dear to the child's heart.
1t is an evidence of the real character
of our Christmas spirit that it could Sc
cure to its service, for the illustration
of its own spirit, these and other GUS
toms, as it is also an evidence of the
generous breath of Christianity's spirit
to receive, employ and honor every good
custom of man.
Adapted to celebrate the truth Of
Christmas, all these customs were re-
heved of many evil features and exalted
in their whole tone.
light heart, merry countenance,
an elated spirit only are in harmony
with the day.
1t is a day of generosity, too. The
best gift of Heaven was bestowed upon
the earth
They tell us that the angels came
floating down from the heights of
Heaven with rapturous songs Of ioy.
congratulatihg humanity in its great
good fortune. We know that the only
proper mood which a human being
should indulge upon the reception Of
such news, and the commemoration
of such an occasion, is a joyous one
so great as to surpass his power to dis
play it. A tender, loving, vital alliance
has been formed by the Creator with
our natures. Finite are we? But Christ
mas tells us that we are in bonds with
the Infinite. Poor are we, limited to a
little earth? But Christmas tells us
that we are heirs of the unbounded
universe.
not be recognized if the favors be-
slowed, at least some of them, are not
for some more unfortunate person.
The poor, the sick, the outcast, the de-
graded, the weak and defenseless are
the proper ones to excite our generosity.
1t is day also of good viii. Peace
on earth and good viii to men," sang
the angels.
Old grudges are to be buried on this
day. Every human being is to be met
in kindly spirit. A cessation of hos
tilities is to be announced, and a gener.
al amnesty should be proclaimed. The
pipe OF Peace-if any. pipe is to be
smoked-should be smoked first, and
reconciliations be effected.
1t is cosmopolitan day. In celebrat-
ing Christmas we are not Americans.
or Englishmen, or Germans. but citizens
of the world. for this is the only festi-
val ia which the civilized world ioins
Peace on all the wide earth, good win
to every man in every land. is the senti-
ment of the day.
Then it is the children's day. What
immense significance is contained In
that statement But we pause, unable
for space, to utter the thoughts which
rise and the emotions which crowd
within our hearts at the mention of the
children. May everyone Of them have
3 merry ChristmasI