The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-15


is, indeed, festival of the nations, "A
time which proclaims peace,on earth,
and the real bond of brotherhood, good
viii among men; and il is not entirely
out OF tine province of a secular journal
to remind its readers of this fact.
The celebration of the birth OF
Christ cannot quote apostolic
command or custom for its support, for
it did not take place until about the
close OF the fourth century. Itwas very
natural, however, that when the essen
tial doctrines of the new faith were
| fixed in mems minds the Christian
church should set apart certain days,
such as Christmas and Easter, to remind
men OF Him upon Whose life and words
those doctrines were founded. History
shows us that in the third and fourth
centuries the ambassadors of the Cross
were being sent with their credentials
among all the nations. In Rome, the
Imperial City, the doctrines Of the
Cross We're making their way among the
the people. There are no truer or more
distinct marks of the condition Of
| people than are offered TO us in those
customs which descend in nations for
centuries, and which, when they die out,
are proofs of social change being
effected. When the customs of the
Romans were transferred from the OBJ
servance of the Saturnalia to rne
celebration of Christs nativity; when
even imperial households fostered
Christianity and Emperors themselves
embraced it; when the old gods Of their
! fathers were turned out OF the Pantheon
we know Of certainty that tremend-
Gus social change was being effected.
The embassy of the Cross at Rome must
have been working nightly, for anation
was being converted. The festival of
the Nativity assumed great and solemn
import; it became the recognition of a
fact. Idols were cast aside and the
knee was bowed to Christ alone. In the
history of Rome we may epitomize the
history of the world. Among all the known
nations, idolaters as they universally
were, the doctrines of Christianity pene-
trated. Since that fourth century, in
which, among the heather, the first
Christmas was celebrated as the event
which brought true light into the dark
ness and ignorance Of the world, when
we trace the record of events for nearly
fifteen subsequent centuries down to our
own, we shall find that the principles
made known by the birth of Christ have
carried everywhere the same influences
as those first produced at Rome. Christi
anity has worked its way into the
thoughts, the hearts, the homes, the
habits, the associations of people. All
the civilization, all the refinement, all
the science, all the art of 1900 years has
been produced and fostered by Christi
anity. Let Mr.. INGERsoLL say what he
will, 1t has to be confessed that it is
Christianity which has tramrled out
heathenism, extinguished barbar-
ism and introduced liberty. 1t is
| Christianity which has established
the sanctity of our homes; for it has
lifted woman from an abject position, as
the servant of man, and has placed her
on level with her partner and she has
brought with her into the nations
of the world refinement where
there had been unbridled sensuality.
gentleness where there had been un--
couth barbarism; in fact, Christianity,
by honoring woman, has civilized the
world.
1t is remarkable to notice how this
wondrous birth which we celebrate at
Christmas was the realization of an
earnest expectation. Everywhere the
world was stirred with q feeling that
something was about to happen-that, as
we are accustomed to say, a crisis was at
hand. The expectation of the Messiah
was entertained by all sorts and con-
ditions Of men. The Persian wise men
came from the far East to
inquire where the Messiah shall
be born. Fishermen -Galilee,
publicans at the receipt Of customs, the
blind beggar on the roadside beat, the
woman of Samaria at the well-all alike
were looking forward to that promised
and expected Deliverer, that redresser
of all wrong, that teacher of all truth.
This is one reason why Christmas Day
is observed by the Church, because in a
certain sense it was an answer to the
longings, condescension to the needs Of
humanity. For thousands of years men
had formed societies, and established
commonwealths, and developed arts, and
elaborated philosophical systems; and
yet, in spite of all the activity and
genius and enterprise of the race, the
final result served only to prove the un-
welcome truth of human weakness, and