Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-24
CHRISTMAS, 1891


Again We are brought to the Christ.
mas holidays special reminder Of the
glorious message Of "peaoe on earth,
good will toward men," No matter
II the date be not the precise annivef-
saTy Of the event which its observance
commemorate; no matter II II dis
agrees by more than three months with
the actual time Of the year when
shepherds watched their flocks by
night" and the Son Of God made His
advent to earth aa the Babe Of Belhlo.
hemj II IL the day which by custom
hll those who revere the name and
calling Of the RedeemeT Of the world
honor In remembrance Of His birth
nm event which dwArfs into insignia.
canoe all question ~ to the month or tho
season when 1t occurred; II 10 IN oou-
neolion with the birth Of Savior that
It is hailed with JOY by Christians, old
and young, great and email, rich and
poor, In every part OF earth.
Among people generally, and par.
tioulArly to the children, Ia II nm occa'
sion for receiving the gifts Of holy love
and pure devotion. The custom Of
bestowiug such presents Ia hut emblem.
ATTIC o, the giving Of that most precious
Of all gifts bestowed on humankind
that conferred through the birth, and
life, and sacrifice OF the Messiah nearly
nineteen centuries ago-ihe gift Of
perfect love from Father 10 all His
children. 1t is appropriate that In this
same spirit the making Of Christmas
presents should 20 on, bestowing that
which IL useful and beneficial In tend
ing 10 produce n full measure Of per-
manent happiness.
The inhabitants OF these mountain
wales hold a position that IN second TO
none Ia honorlng Ia it, truo spirit the
holy Christmas day. Between friends
and relatives their conduct displays an
affection which brings rejoicing and
merriment to the hearts OF the chill
dren, and Is not less peaceful and bliss
full TO those OF more mature yeafe.
Farther than this, they exhibit n
goodly measure OF the divine love
which reaches beyond personal nc.
quaintanco or association, and by
which those who stand In greatest
need Of ear,h's bounlies-ihe poor and
the uniortunAte--Rre made 10 share
the common Joy.
In illustration ofthis latter ieature,iI
may be mentioned that among many
Of the ward organizations OF the Latter
day Saints has grown upa custom o.
Christmas observance by which tn,
people generally have opportunity 1,
contribute Of the nooessaries and
comforts Of life for the benefit Of thos,
who may need. This year the rule
has been followed, and last evening
the Sabbath before Christmas, report
were made In some Of the wards Ia
this city Of the results Of the "Christ.
mas offering for the poor" As I,
what these were, one instance may
suffice: IL was announced by tn,
Bishopric that owing to the prevalen
hard times It had been feared ther,
would be falling Oh, but in THU
respect there had been happy disap
pointment; the Christmas contTibu
tions had not only tqualloi thos'
OF former years wuon money
and employment were more plen
tlful, but had exceeded those o
any previous occasion Of tho kind; Ia,
poor Of the ward had been amply pro
vided for for the holidays, anu Their,
vas surplus to 20 10 the genera
fund, for relief aB future exlgencie
might arise.
This betokons the true Christina
spirit among the people-an exhibition
OF the divine love which accompanies
pure Christianity. In blessing thus
this people nil are blessed, And ma
perfect affection hui place In ever!
soul for relatives, friends and all hu
manity, and JOY abound In every heart
that the closing days OF 1894 indee,
may Afford A MEKRY CHRISTMAS 4,
ALL, Is the sincere wish OF the NEW
az It bids farewell to It's readers unit
tue evening Of December 20.