The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-12-29
CHRISTMAS.


Tomorrow will be holiday throug-
out Christendom, and will be observed
With ceremonies commemorative of the
birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of
the world. If at first the day was
observed only by those who believed
IN the divine mission of Christ, it has
now become of almost universal sig
ui6cance among all classes of people
whether they are practical Christians
or not, and Christmas receives the
same welcome from those who are de-
vou.ly religious as from others inclined
to skeptism regarding the accepted dog
mas. All acknowledge the great ex-
cellence of the character of the Nsza-
rene, and that the reformation be in
augurated was for all time and for all
people. The season is advantageous
for such celebration, because it is
one usually of rest and recreation, and
during the frost and SHOWS of winter
general gift day, in which the unfor-
tunate are especially remembered, is
in harmony with the conditions of life.
The great teacher said "the poor ye
have with you always" and more
becoming celebration of his birth could
not be had than that of generous acts
towards those In need and charitable
deeds towards the erring. This is the
inauguration of the reign of peace and
good will, and the day is of as much
significance now in this regard as it
was nearly nineteen hundred years
ago to the simple shepherds on the
plains of Judea.
Toe Christian era marks an epoch
in the history of the human race be
fore which all others pale into insig-
ni6c,nce. Christ taught heart religion,
and by precept and practice elevated
his hearers above the cold forms and
ceremonies that he'd been the basis of
Judaism for three thousand years.
Motive formed the essence of the sin,
and the act itself was to be judged BY
the heart impulse that was the pro-
pelling force. This was new gospel
that appealed to the higher qualities
of mind and soul, and elevated man
above the sordid and selfish ends of
life. In this Christianity was the doc
trine of the purest, best and brightest
of earth, and its influence pervsded all
conditions of society. 1t taught the
fatherhood of God and the fraternity
of man, and leveled down the walls of
caste and prejudice which had caused
heart burnings and bitter hatreds from
the time the world was spoken into
existence "If thine enemy hunger
feed HIM, if he thirst give him drink"
was the divine injunction, and this
recreates the world on juster and
more humane foundation. Christ's
mission was not fulfilled with the mere
enunciation of precepts; but passing
his life among the most prejudiced of
people, who believed that they we're
chosen by God to exemplify his wis.,
dom and goodness, there has never
been the least stain in this regard on
his character. From the time he
taught in the temple, to the terrible
agony of Gethsemane and the sublime
death on the cross, Jesus Christ was
the exemplar of everything that could
make mankind pure and noble.
Christmas is the anniversary of the
birth of the Savior, ard inasmuch as
the heart responds to generous inpul-
ses, unselfish acts and charitable deeds
i. is becomingly celebrated. The world
should be in peace and harmony, ha-
tired and jealousy should be banished
from all breasts, and on this day the
kingdom of God should reign in every
heart. This is Christmas as it should
be, and the God of love, mercy and JUS
tice will smile upon and bless all efforts
in this direction.