Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1894-12-20
CHRISTMAS.

Next Tuesday the Christian World VIII
celebrate festival which, more tnsn any
other in the yoar, has seized upon the
heart of humanity and touched it with q
kindly spirit.
Around Christmss-tide centre many OF
the sweetest memories, and whether II
come in sunshine or cloud, the pulse OF hu-
man life beats quicker, the common tninsS
of life take on new beauty, and We' ior tno
time, walk in happier ways.
1t may at first sight seem strange tna' an
event 80 common as the birth OF chiio
should have about it power Wnicn naS
lasted through the centuries and stamped
its impress upon civilization. But oeninu
the natal day which we celebrate lies tho
thought that the Life which then came IN
to being was the prophet OF the perfect
man: that it was Lite to be spent in toll,
in hardship and unselfshness, and TO END
in main and sorrow; that it, above all Others
was the incarnation of Love and Charity.
The lessou which it teaches and the e1-
ample which il affor1s have been the foun-
dstions of human progress, broadening
thought, tightening earthly burdens, ,sootn-
ing human suffering. and arching the dark
eat sky with the rainbow of Hope.
Marvellous as are the discoveries oil
,cience, they fade into insignifcance' 30
far as their effect on human lite is concern
ed. coutrasted with the moral and spirit
nal evolution that touched humanity win
the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem.
The Star which blazed in the Orient was
the herald of peace on earth, good Will 70
men. New bopes and thoughts "ere
brought into beng; the blind yesrnings oi
the world for deliTersnce from thraiidom
we're soon to bear fruit; on the ruins Oh
pagan idolatry there was built up new
faith: heaven came down TO earth, and the
fragrance of frankincense and myrrh that
uerfumei the lowly manger was but
foretasts OF the kindly deeds. the acts OF
charity and the words of love that were 10
bring the ststelier Eden back to sartn
ngain.
There ia a beauty about the simple faith
of childhood that always touches the heart;
and something seems to be taken from the
world vhen cold reason takes the place OF
simple trust, and the boy or girl looks
upon Santa Claus as fable. But even
worse then this will IL be for the world
when men and woman shall no longer see
the deep meaning of Christmss-tide; when
its symbol shall be no longer guide and
star. and when cold msterislism shall
mock at the faith which to-day ieaos
myriads of men and women to bend IN
solemn alteration and to lift up tnen
voices in songs of praise. The time that
the angels predicted has not, it Is true' ye'
come. The wall of starving and hopeless
millions still rises to Heaven; poverty
couches in It's lair; crime stalks Ike some
paunt wolf through the darkness OF the
night; the pestilence walks by noondsy'
social injustice too often rules, and pain
and sorrow are merciless in their visita-
tions. Ambitious men are plotting; bsyo'
nets are bristling; new instruments OF
death are beirg invented; and yet, with ali
this we can catch the faint glimmer OF a
better day. The crimes Of men in power
are being frowned upon; the sores that
tester in the heart of society are sought
out to be healed, and men and women are
coming closer together in 1--we and BROTH
srhood. The kindly light of Christmas
that shines on all to-day should teach each
one his duty and help him to come nearer
to bis unreached idea Patience and sym.
psthy, kindliness and selfdenial, are bios
each succeeding flower that shall lift its
head will help the world to better reali-
ration Of universal Christmas, the reign
of the Prince Of Peace.