The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-12-24
THE GREAT CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL.

tomorrow we CeleDraI6 Gn0 IoSOlfhl |
of the christian world. The founder of
the christian religion was born 1894
years since in Bethlehem of Judea,
the child of poor carpenter and Mary |
his wife. They occupied manger IN
a stable at the time this auspicious
event took place. Surely, it would |!
seem, there were to be fonnd none of
the usual accessories to kingly birth
about his lowly acc )uchmeDt They
who took note of the event were shep-
herds, the lowly attendants of the
fiocks which gathered the scanty herb
age that grew in the rocky hilla ad-
jacent. Indeed was it an humble affair
in all of its aspects. Yet the Master
of the world had His origin there.
When we reflect that the religion Of the
Babe of Bethlehem numbers among its
hosts of today hundreds OF millions of
the leading and most potent men of the
world and has done so ever since His
birth, our conceptions of the imp0r-
tance of that lowlv scene in Judea, rise
infinitely above all others that distin-
guish the history of the world since
creation's morning dawned. We note
that today the civilization, the scien-
tific progress, the arts, the literature,
the mechanics, in short the triumphs
of all are found among the people who
follow the lead OF Him who was once
the founding of that Judean manger.
Is iC not wonderful story? Does not
the story arouse in ones breast all the
enthusiasm of ones nature? Recall
the great armies which have marched
TO victory, the victories gained, the
changed face of the world IN conse-
quence, and then ask yourselves as to
the character of the child born on the
25th of December Ammo Domini l.
What matters it whether this child
is really the fruit Of the loins of the
Almighty, the results following His
birth and teachings have been of such
mighty import to men, the system of
morals He established so wonderfully
perfect, the triumphs of the ciViliZa.
tion He set at work so momentous and
of such inestimable worth, that He is
entirely worthy to be worshipped as
the Son of God, though He was but the
unheralded son of Joseph and Mary
only. 1t is true that Confucius, Bhuda
and others have given us systems of
morality following which honestly
many millions of men have been happy,
contented and virtuous; but it is only
within the christian system that has
been found the highest moral develop
ment, the greatest improvements and
the highest triumphs of civilization.
Well indeed is it for the christian world
to celebrate the humble birth of Christ.
His triumphs are worthy all this and
more.
All over christendom the light of to-
morrow's sun will set the bells of ca
thedrsls, churches and chapels to ring
ing calling almost unnumbered thou
sands to worship that once lowly babe
of the manger. What triumph If
all these unnumbered thousands re-
tain in their hearts one single senti-
ment absorbed from The rich gospel He
taught and established while on earth,
what a sum OF good the aggregate
would represent! This simple sugges-
tion contains tremendous thought,
utters a momentous truth, 1t
is an indication and suggestion OF the
silent and unseen power which has
wrought out in 1894 years SO vast sum
of good for man. Let no christian heart
ever grow cold. Let no christian en-
deavor be relaxed until the
the christian religion fings its pro-
tecting arms about and plants its enob-
ling impulses in the bosom of every
human being On the face of the great
earth which the Almighty power has
given us for home.
If it were false religion entirely the
race would be only the better, the
more honorable and yirtuous for its ac-
ceptance.
After you have read thu far, lay
aside this humble paper, put your hand
deep into your pocket and purchase
someGhing-anything which will
make one of His redeemed creatures
the happier because you have lived
amid this christian civilization and
you will have done about all in your
power to testify your gratitude for the
great benefits He has bestowed upon
us. 1t will do you no harm and make
one of His creatures happy.