Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1894-12-21
CHRISTMAS.
Peace On Earth, Good Will
Toward Man.

while it is admitted by some writer's
that there is some cause for diSputing
the date set apart to celebrate the birth
of Jesus Christ one of which is, that III
the month of December in Judea. it is
the heighth of the rainy season, where
it is chronicled in history, neither flockS
nor shepherds could have been at night
in the fields of Bethlehem. \ ct we com
memOrate that date with the same love
and yeneration.
In all civilized countries the annual
arrival of Christmas has for ages been
celebrated with merry-making and fes-
tivities. In none. we believe did it re-
ceive a more hearty welcome than in
England, where even to-day the old
time honor has not been entirely eXtin-
guished.
In that country it was the practice
after the evenings devOtions, to which
great reverence was given, to throw on
the open hearth large log, called the
"Yule Log" or Christmas Block. At
court, or the homes of the wealthy. an
officer named Lord Of Missrule." was
elected to take charge of the revels. In
Scotland a similar officer was appointed
under the title Of "Abott of Unreason." :"
and this office was continued until the
year of 1555, when by an act OF parla-
ment it was abolished.
The functions of these officers COM
menced on All-IIollow eve, and contiu-
ed until Candlemas.
We might extend on this article, Civ
ing the games and sports entered into
by the young and old on this occasion,
but we desIst.
But this day and age how differently do
we observe this occasion. While the
young look forward to the time when
Santa Claus will appear with the good
things for them, and the wild and noisey
boys have by shere force of will be on
their good behavior, yet the masses of
our intelligent, home loving Christian
people view with heartfelt emotion the
approach of that day of all the year
with profound reverence.
We think that Christmas is time of
peace, of joy, of love. In commemora-
ton of the birth Of Him who came from
Heaven to bring peace, joy and love.
1t is the anniversary of the union be-
tween the God and man, Heaven and
this world. 1t is time when hearts
may ring out to each other sweet music
of affection. 1t is the day when the
One in honor of whose birth the day is
celebrated stands by the cradle
and the bed of every sleeping little one
and also brings love and peace into the
hearts of every father and mother. 1t is
the time when the mOroseness and self
ishness of ones nature is thrown out
INTO kindness and charity, and when
everything bears ON its front the inspi-
ration of Christinity. All the chan
nelS of ones better nature are filled with
genial thoughts and higher aspirations
for good. 1t is a time when good resO-
lutions are easily grated with fine
prospect of good growth and fair frui
ton. In every household in the land,
rich and poor alike, the rich benedictiOn
of that life which commenced on earth
in Bethlehem eighteen hundred and
ninety-four years ago are felt and real
lied in, that a life of love is better than
the mere emotions, and all are happy
because of this realization. Men of busi-
ness, full of care and anxiety, are ready
for one day in the year to shut out their
cares and give themselves entirely to
the pleasure of a holiday which is born
of love, and is the harbinger of peace,
and which brings back all the joy and
happiness of their childhood days, with
mother, father, brothers and sisters in
the background. Home never seems SO
pleasant, wife and children never so
dear. BY the general good will of the
occasion, ones neighborS and friends
seem nearer to him and are more highly
priced. The old year is fading out. A
general balance sheet is to be made.
The old put aside, and as with new pur-
poses and better aspirations we step in
to the new year, every one should be
willing to lay aside all animosities and
reach forth an open palm to all who are
of thp same Snirit.
Extension Lecture.
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