The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-25

Jesus Christ our Lord, or Christ
mas day. since the early part of
the fifth century. Prior to that time diff
ferent dates have been observed by the
eastern and western churches. The east
ern church, however, accepted in due time,
the date observed by the western church,
as in all probability the true date when
Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea.
1t is the one anniversary of a birth which
is observed by all alike. There are no ex-
ceptions in the observance. Tomorrow
every newspaper in the land, and every
book-keeper, as well as everyone who has
occasion to write letter will note at the
beginning, Dec. 26, 1891, A. D.; that
is to say, 1891 years since the
the birth of Jesus Christ, 1t will
be a tacit admission of the fact, that long
years ago was born into the world one
whose life and character everybody dis
cusses; one whom the many look upon as
divine man; whose life and teaching
have nodded and influenced the lives of
hundreds of thousands; which have led
men to undergo privations, exercise self
denials, and endure tortures, because of
this we have nothing to do at this time.
We are simply treating of Christmas from
the standpoint from which people in gen
eral regard it. IL is then an universal
holiday; day of peace on earth
and good will to men; day
for the exchange of gifts; day in which
to send sunshine into homes which know
little that is bright and Joyous. How many
such homes there are in Salt Lake to-day,
into which no Christmas joys go, and from
which care and trouble are never entirely
eliminated! 1t is said that one-half the
people do not know how the other half get
on in life. We suspect that this is emin-
emily true. 1t is no doubt true here in our
! own city. Does the reader Of this article
know how the majority of people in this
city live! Does he care aught about the
matter2 Does the reader of this really
know what Christmas Joy isl Has he ever
really experienced it? No one can be in
the best sense happy who has not sought to
make others happy. Those who are able
exchange gifts among themselves to-day.
How much better it would be if these gifts
were sent to those who are not in the habit
of receiving! A ton of coal to one who
needs it, food to another, and clothing to a
third, would bring happiness 20 the givers,
and to the recipients there would come
such realization of the brotherhood of
man as was never before known or be-
lieved
There is in this city much wealth which
has been accumulated here. Do its pos
SCISSORS owe nothing to the community in
which they live, and to the people among
whom it was amassed? There are hos
pitfalls here for the care of the sick; an
orphan asylum for the reception of chill
dren who have no homes; public library
for all. Who cares aught for these insti-
tutions? What have our people done fol
any of them! What might they not do fol
all of them, and SO open them to larger and
wider usefulness! Almost everywhere in
the east evidence may be seen of mems in
terestln humanity. Those who have wealth
spend large portions of 1t for the good of thei
fellows. Large humanitarian schemes arr
planned, not to encourage idleness, but t.
foster self-respect and encourage industry
by providing aid for men and women TEN
porarily. We ought to emulate such goot
examples, and so show our good will t.
men. The Christmas spirit is in order a
any time, and so ii anything which ha
been said in this article shall stimulate any
one to manifest the least part of it then tn
lesson of Gods great gift to the world Of
this day will not have been pointed GU il
vain