The Progress., 1892-12-24
CHRISTMAS JOYS,
IWritlen for The progrr.s. |

Written for The Progress
This era Of general rejoicing amid
the civilized nations Of the globe ha,
existed for nearl y nineteen centuries
Ihe story of the Star of Bethlehem.
OF the visit OF the angels OF the grand
jubilee when tue stars sang togei her
IS known to the prattling child as
well as the gray-halred octogena-
r!sn. 1t is faith built Oh an immov-
able foundation, presided over by the
white-robed aud transcendently bean
tifnl form Of religion.
At this period there seems to de.
3cend into the sons of the children
Of earth softening and refining in
tiuence that tinges the heart with the
roseate dawn of love, like the blush
ing moon of summer sky. The
glad soul catches up the refrain of
life, like the laughter of crystal wa
ters dashing down from mounts n
cascade, clothed in mists where dwell
the the splendrous tints of rainbow
lines. Hate hides his frowning VS.
age and the dark form of passion dis-
appears into unknown cavernS, bar
ished by the golden rays of light
that proclaims peace on earth.
Peacel aye, when the heart feels
the pulsing throb of new hopes and
joys; when it quaffs the invigori ting
waters of new resolves; when the
mind gathers inspiration from the
beauties that dot the sky and ado n
the earth; beauties that are the voic r
of IL past coming up through the
vista of time dwelling in soft caden-
ces within the charmed arches and
rooms of the present, aud sending
their Triumphant echoes out toward
the dark curtain that enfold7 a mys-
terious future.
Good will to man" what an cpl
tome in four simple wordsl 1t
means that human nature must de
throne its prejudice and passions.
lay ide its hates and its jealou les
forget its ranchor and its malice, dis
robe from the garb of human fra l.
ties, and don the splendrous mantle
of Christian light and Christian
charity EMBODIED within its hidden re
cesses, send pulsing through its arte
ries that divine fCrtitude and couras
which gives to the immortal soul
the taste of eternal beatitude.
1t rebukes the spirit Of hypocrisy
it brings out on the erstwhile
-pctless robes of innocence and puri-
~, the ssaias of hidden sin; it causes
the seemingly pure and snow whine
brow to be tiDged with the crimsop
blush of shame; it rebukes the small |
sins" of human existerce and points
with luminous flyer to the shining
sands along the straight al d marrow
road that leads to eternal happiness
and gives rest to the weary.
Peace on earth, good will to man"
How many will greet the dawn of
this Christian anniversary feeling tn,
the words proclaimed 1892 years ago
by seraphic voices, fad an echo in
their own hearts? Yet this natal
dey of great Redeemer is encircled |
with love, Joy, peace, content, happl- |
ness, hope, faith and charty-ail tne
better elements that make the per
fection CT earthly human existence
and crown the immortal soul with un- |
dying laurels to be Worn beyond the |
portals of the tomb
"A Merry Christmas" How the |
hearty wish bubbles from the lips of |
childish innocencsl How the happy |
refrain is caught up by the ringing |
voices of hopeful youth Fo Is: eff
lug and Joyous influences are Sealed |
with the kiss of love and affection
where manhood and womanhood are
indissolubly linked together at the
happy firesidesl How it sheds a halo |
DER the silvered heads and wrinkled
brows of the aged and honored patri-
arc1s who a.: the reciri ,nts of fila. re-
spect and devotion.
Life il strange admixture hope
and disappointment of Joy ana sor-
row, Of prosperity and adv. ,ify; ol
shadow and light; of peace and dis
content; of storm and clear sky: of |
lurid clouds and roseate dawn, of
rare blooms and piercing thorns; Of
plenty and want Yet its blessings
over-5alance its deprivat;ons, and few
are there who cannot utter with
sparkling eyes, Joyous tones and
smile-wreathed lips the greeting of |
the season "a Merry Christmas.
W.