The Progress., 1892-12-24
THE PROGRESS
PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TO-
WARD MEN


strikes the hour Of twelve tonight
the curtain Of human events
will rise upon the scenes OF
another Christmas morning. These
scenes will be varied and colOred tC
suit the glasses through which the
various phazes of human natur
will look upon them. With
some, they will be barren
and destitute of all meaning save
to embitter them as they are brough
in contrast with the light thrown from
another's stereopticon.
With others, it will represent j,y-
Gus festivities and light-mindec
pleasures, which have neither senti-
ment nor stability il them. With
still Others, it will open up on ribald
Jy and sensual indulgepcie' .,
which neither nobility Of instincts non
manly loitiness of thought is display
ed. With still others, 1t will portray
pictures Of qniet and thoughtful oh
servnce of sacred thoughts and sep
timeLts. AnG of all, the latter is IN
questionably the true spirit in which
to observe this halIowed day.
True, Christmas sould bring Joy 10
fhe hearts of all mankind 1t repre-
sents a sentiment which should bring
to civilization a peace and JOY which
no other can produce in the human
heart aud soul; but it should be sub
dued by the recollection OF the cost
Of this gift to humanity.
Christmas day of revelry and
coarse pleasure7 Nay, verify. II
surely Was not for IL is that the lonely
Nazarene extended his three and "a
half years pilgrimage, scoffed at by |
those in power, snubbed by those to
whom He went to minister and to of |
fer freedom fIom the bondage of sin
and servitude. Surely the humble
Galilean did not axe his weary steps
through the Jord y plains and climb
the steep ummit If the Jerusalem
hills for this desecl alton of His men,
ory. The very tenor and obje t.of His
life admonish as to forbear from such
q course. The courts Ct Heaven
would not have decreed that the sec
ond IN the line of Imperial ancestry
should be SO subject TO the indigni-
ties OF depIaved mankind as its Hon
cssd One wes, for His memory to be
so dish0noged. No, il was for anoth-
or purpose that one CT the God-head
should become man. 1t was fer
far different end that the star of Beth
lehem cast its luminous halo across
the sky and taught the wise men ,
where lay the infant which was to
dim even the lustre of this luminary
of the firr,ament, and trace across
the sly OF mans destiny living lines &.
Vhsch lead to Heaven, Peace Oh
earth, good will toward men, was the
doctrine that this Master Mind taught
Salvation for ali who would accept
the gift was his theme, and to-day its
truths are rs strong a. ever they we've
when they fell from the lips of Tie
Goldman. The star of Bethlehem is
still shining, though its rays row
point 10 the cross, and the same glad
tidings are heralded over the land .
peace op earth, good will toward men
Therefore. let us all enjoy this hal
lowed Christmas day, but let it lie
such pleasure as comes from hearts
softened by love fer the great sacri-
fce made; love that is mellowed by
the recollection that God Himself
died an ignominious death for the
eternal happiness of mankind. Let
bnr hearts to-day whisper in Joyous
accepts, peach on earth, good will to-
ward men, and let each one of MS
strive to make these truths shine in
some desolate heart and home on
this revered Christmas day
/ 4