The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-24

tablished nave been subjected to search
ing examination, to revision or TO re-
lection. 1t has come to be almost
AN axiom that everything is in a
condition OF fiux, changing 81 rapidly
aud so radically that faith in things as
they present themselves is somewhat
risky.
Yet the truths of that religion which
properly began on the day that Christ
mas commentaries have stead lily de-
veloped. They have not been shaken
from the firm foundations the Man born
1894 years ago placed them upon.
1t is jusiifiable to regard the Christ
religion as new, and as be-
ginning with Che birth of the
Nazarene. 1t is SO radically unlike the
Mosaic religion that the resem blance
seems only to emphasize the difference.
So we allude to our religion as builded
upon Christ's teachings that drew peo-
pie away from the old dispeusaiion and
turned their faces toward joy and light,
away from the gloomy and angry laws
that had ruled them.
lt is the divine side Of life that has
steadily developed and expanded, never
having been subjected to the change and
readjustnent of comprehension that
vexes all other phases of human ex-
istence. While the enveloping atmos-
phere of our intelligence has broken
here and there, and we see the great
facts OF life and of Christianity more
clearly, as though new revelations had
been given, the more time we take and
the more thought we give serves 10
show that the truth is the same as it
always has been-the same in form and
the same in significance.
This great philosophic truth is gradu-
ally simplifying and clarifying our
spiritual natures, while the developments
In the physical world render our mental
and physical natures more complex.
This leads us to the cen trail thought
relating to Christmas-thati it evidences
the growth of our better selves in the
direction of that simplest and most
transparent of all men who have ever
tod the earth, and whose lite was
the humanized Interpretation of the di-
vine plan for men.
The great thought about Christmas is
clothed with the beautiful observances
that have attached to the day, and its
essence is the spirit of love and good
Will which men show them.
Whatever of decency lies dormant
asserts itself at Christmas, and the per-
son who is not affected by the spirit OF
the time may be set down as hardened
py nature or by CIRCUMSTANCES TO a
degree that is most pitiful. Probably
the value of Christmas, in the general
scheme of the upbuilding-the Christ
izing, If you like-of the human race,
lies to a great degree in
the one fact that at that
time we are forced by traditional habit
into acting largely for the benefit of
others. For few days we suppress
self and give ourselves to thoughts and
plans that concern the happiness of
others, and thus we act in strict accord
with the teachings of Christ, and fur
ther, to the extent of our ability, His
ideal of life.
AT Christmas time there comes to the
Christian world an imperfect foretaste
OF the millennium; and though imper-
feet yet keener and sweeter by far than
the general flavor of life. To the extent
that we each yield to the subtle spirit of
the holiday season do we each appreciate
its true significance, and the truth of
what is here crudely stated.
1t follows, then, that the duty laid
upon us at Christmas time is not SO much
the contemplation of the material his
torical fact it commentaries as the ex-
emplification, by our acts aud our senti-
ments, of the spirit of the brotherhood of
man, that historical material fact
brought into the world.
Christmas comes but once year. 1t
is golden opportunity to SAVIOR the fiat
and stale selfishness of the 81 weeks
with brief period OF manifested love
of our fellows. The greatest benefit of
tn is is upon ourselves. The love we
chow is but the fiirhcrfng reflection of
the flame within us; and that flame
needs the fuel of manifestation to feed
it.
So let Christmas be as merry as it
healthfully can be. Let us all try and
do our little part to bring in very fact