Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-25
Christmas.

Another Christmas has come to us and
| it is to be presumed that we are all glad
to be here at the coming Certainly no
day of the year now old has brought so
generous and impartial opportunity for
good cheer. Among the people of the
earth there are none better adapted by
circumstances or better provided with
means for making the most of Christmas
day than are the readers of the Journal
The fertile fields have borne in abun-
dance; blight and epidemic have been
checked in a year with widespread dis
couragements the people of Maine have
been reasonably prosperous; on our farms
the hard times have been least felt, but
in our cities the prudence and foresight
of the captains of industry, the thrift of
the people, all have conspired to make the
best of depressing conditions and have
admirably succeeded; the beautiful and
almost lavish displays in our stores have
brought their reward in almost endless
procession of customers. True, the nip
ping, eager air has reminded us of our
latitude, but at the same time has served
us as a tonic gcrmicide, till we almost
| felt like doing without other physicians
Indeed there is little patience to be had
with those who fail to appreciate today
the fact that we are living in glorious
country, and in one Of the most blessed
parts it.
Christmas is an occasion that affords
theme and inspiration for discussion and
dissertation, for freside chat and for the
sermon; and yet what can be written or
said concerning it that has not been
written and said again and again? In
deed why should we desire the new and
| the novel in discussing it? Isn't it
enough TO say from the heart to all the
world a Z" Merry Christmas and good cheer
and to act accordingly? 1t is good to
think the old Christmas thoughts and
for those of us, who may on other days
have believed that we had outgrown
Christmas meant to us then and to renew
our youth 1t is a time for sentiment
to break down the barriers of the practical
which has monopolized us altogether too
much it may be-
Sentiment has been in the very air the
past few days; it has been radiant in the
r
and fro on the street, it has led us captive
| with hearts full of thoughts of dear ones
| into the places where Santa Claus has
stored his abundance, it has lent new
| interest in life to many careworn soul,
added a fresh charm to every person who
has yielded to the all pervading influence,
| it has banished the fatigue of our routine
life and spurred us to extra exertions, al
ways for others Who that has felt it can
| think it possible to live for ones self
alone and know life, or can deny that
the happiness of giving transcends the
| happiness in receiving? However much
new notions as to the origin of Christmas
may usurp the places of the old notions,
however much opinions may differ con
corning the incarnation the fact remains
that it is more blessed to give than TO re-
ceive, that the history of Christ's life
| leaves no doubt but what he ever acted
/ upon this principle to the end when he
| gave his life. Scientists have not sue
ccedcd in analyzing the cause of this We
! have been taught that one portion of the
brain is the seat of certain emotions, an
never located even in the simple nature
/ of the child that which causes it to de-
| rive the keenest enjoyment in comforting
| a favor upon another. 1t is as real as fact
can be, however, and no better occasion
| for enjoying it in its fullness is or can be
afforded than this Christmas day of 1894.
| No day is so pleasant that it has not its
duties although the duties arising from
| proper recognition of this anniversary
should be very pleasant ones We believe
that no one can come into perfect touch
with the occasion without appreciating
| those duties. And here we can bring the
| practical to the aid of the sentimental.
/ The Christmas gifts the children receive
today win exert great influence upon
them. With the older the thought OF
/ being remembered is the essential but
the remembrance if given judiciously will
be suited to the need. This is especially
/ true in remembering those who seem to
| have Jared hardly in the struggle for the
material blessings. And in thinking OF
some way in which to brighten the lives
| of the poor, it should be borne in mind