Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-23
BEAUTIFUL cHRlSTMAS-TIDE.
Plea for Proper Observance OF the Ora
cious and Hallowed Season.


RICHMOND, VA, December 20. 1894.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
And now recurs the beautiful Christ
mas-tide, hallowed with its holy associa-
lions and proclaiming anew the good
tidings of great joy" The sweet music
OF the angelic choir that entranced the
shepherds on Judea's plains the first
Christmas morning long, long ago rings
down through the corridors of time ana
with none of its sweet and soul-cheerlnS
melody lost, still joyously procialns
Peace on earth, good will toward men,"
Surely Christmas Is humanity's natal day.
since it Is the anniversary OF the birth OF
mans greatest friend and only Saviour.
Ii Is a time when the great heart or
nature seems to beat closer TO the heart
OF the benefcent Creator. Most natural
and fitting is 1t that at such a season the
better side of our natures should pre-
dominate to harmonic our hearts with
the sweet poetry of the pleasing season.
And though in our latitude this happy
time comes when winter is the season
king" yet IL none the less comes as the
sweet and refreshing summer breeze in
lifes heated battle, or as genial sunshine
radiating the moral universe with It's
bngnant beams OF love and mercy,
cheering the faint, succoring the weak,
raising the fallen, and supplanting gloom
with Joy and gladness. Free from all
faint of selfishness, 1t lavishes its bene-
dictions without regard to age or sex.
nationality or caste. In its joys the poor
may vie with the rich, the weak
with the strong, the lowly with
the exalted. Its cheer extends
from peasants hut to palatial man.
sion. The beautiful delusion Of Santa
Claus" to infancy reality is treasured
through maturer years even TO lifes sun
set. To the toiler Christmas comes as
the oasis in lifes desert Of worry and
care, for although it may not be the
lot OF every one to enjoy a respite from
their daily labors, yet even to such 1t is
a grand and glorious holiday. 1t Is a
time when the ties of brotherhood making
the whole world akin seem TO be more
real.
Good will towards men," IS the In
spring and elevatlng sentiment OF this
season. He will be happiest in the enjoy
ment OF this day whose heart Is most
responsive to the needs Of his fellow-man
Send a CLEAN of sunshine into some dark,
respondent soul, raise up some dropping
spirit, tighten some burden-bearer's load,
and by kindly acts born of that charity
which "seeketh not her own" contribute
common humanity.
Let us remember that Notwithstanding
the truths above written, there is cloud
invariably lowering over this glorious sea-
son. This cloud is the lamentable fact
Of festivities, customs, and excuses en-
tirely out of harmony with the spirit Of
the occasion. Good social cheer is not
dependent upon the punch-bowl or the
eggnog-bowl. Many households not given
to excesses in such matters seem TO con-
slider that christmas times" give war
ranted license in these indulgences. But
alas! 1t is too true that these are seeds OF
evil sown, and from the sowing a harvest
of misery and death is annually reaped.
Many a poor, wrecked life traces its
downward career back to the social glass.
and many a one-"pity tits, tits true"-to
the jewelled hand OF his fair lady love
or the hand of loving mother, who little
dreamed of the poison in the cup. These
evil social customs are more honored in
the breach than In the observance. When
we take up our morning paper the day
after Christmas there is generally a
sickening column OF runs trophes-trage-
dies, accidents. fatalities-due to drink.
Let us, as we value our civilization, our
political life, our social life, and our
spiritual life, turn from the least SEM
blance OF encouragement to any Gus
tom that tends to drag down our rela-
tives. friends. and neighbors. And to
those Of our people not meaning by their
social-glass indulgences to do their kin
dred. friends. or society any harm, let
me beg that IL you will not be convinced
that with the restrictions you throw
around your indulgences any harm can
result. bear In mind that 1t Is your plain
duty to turn your back upon any general
custom that has been abundantly proved
to be prolific OF untold evil.
wish all our people cup trimming
full Of solid Christmas cheer-not OF in
toxicants. but OF solid. substantial peace
and JOY. May the cloud be lifted from
every troubled heart; may peace and
good WIZ reign triumphant: may the
loving arm OF mercy encircIe the drunk
ards home. and even he be brought back
to righteousness and peace, and may the
good people OF this fair metropolis OF the
glorious Sunny South prove themselves
responsive to all earnest en;reaties to
labor for the good OF our common hui
manity along whatever lines are proved
to be practicable and efficient.
w. NJ. BICKERS.
District Chief Templar and State Deputy
Grand Templar. Independent Order OF
Good Templars.