Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-12-22


Al Christmas plsy, and M ,kr good cheer,
For Christmas CORES but ONE year.
Again tire christian world is prepar.
ing to celebrate the natal day Of Hiw
who came upon earth to save man
Kind. The great feast Of Christmas
counted by the human mode q ealculat
ing time is now ancient but the fteasing
custom Of honnring tho anniversary Of
me birth Of CHRIST, the Lord God. is
sver new. and the heart Of every chris
iian grows gay and jOyfsl as the time
approaches when all may with fervent
rouls give thanks to the Giver of all good
that they are vt among he living on
earth to chsnt III honor Of His coming the
sacred anthem GLORY, be to God
on high" "A merry Christmas" has re-
sounded year after year, over and over
sEaiu since the death Of our Saviour,
IN long and uubroken cries of gladness
the world over and will rcsound forever
unsa the great day Of reckoning is at
ksnd There is music in the chant
sud in the information of every
word a comfort and consolation when.
the stereotyped extension of the phrase
comes from the depths Of a sincere heart.
We love to hear the chant be-
cause il is remindful Of the return Of
the anniversary Of the great feast-a
time when the cares and sorrows of life
are forgotten and our hearts made hap
py in the pleasurabls thought that there
ia born unto the world Of human flesh, a
God, to save we,k and pining souls -
We cherish she kindly salutation be-
cause it marks a new epoch in this
che:kered life. Our enemies in Of
fering the timely greeting mean to for
give as. for the wrongs We may have
done them, and our friends to unite
stronger than ever The sacred bonds Of
friendship and of christian affection.
Christmas day is the feast day Of all
the world save the pagan.
The churches of al religious denomi-
nations celebrate the occasion with great
pomp and ceremony. The Roman
Catholic Church ushers in the day by
the celebration Of three masses. one at
mi'nighi. the seconl at early dawn and
the third in the morning; other de-
nominations do not begis their service
80 early IN the day, but celebrate the oc-
oasion with equally as significant dcvo-
tions and earnest prayer.
The old folks and heads Of families
gather around them in festive reunion
their "kirh and KIM" dispelling all
thought of past and impending niisfor
tame. and in mirtbful, yet innocent pleas
mes, revel in the good things Of the sea-
son, amid mutual interchange Of
good WISHES Tor happier future
The Ii tie ones -cherubs OF earth
following a short morning prayer at
some pious parent or gsirdian's knee,
observe the. feast With an early wild
hunt for the well-G filed stocking from the
beautifully supplied pack Of the proven
bal old Santa Clsu+. aud pursue their
good fortune in childish glee with look
at the bountifal '-yew bursh," lighted
with tapers, and. hung with every con-
ceivable Try AMI p'sytlIing. Their cup
sfjoy grows fall aud upon their young
minds remembran ,e of the birth Of the
Infant in swaddhng-clothes is ma lie LAST
ing.
10 none of these festivities can the
kDEPESDEsr directly participate, but
Indirectly it cheerfu!ly joins in all.
and with the best Intentions and good
will it wishes all A MERRY CHRIST
MAS.