The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-22

he held that the habit OF Industry Is
worth a fortune in itself. lie taught MIN
TO sort the laces. to sweep the floor, ana
even 10 cook 1.-THE bits OF meals And
he would tell him tales OF his own young
dsys.-jayes OF enhancing interest to
Tom, although they always did wind
up with a moral. That moral was, In
general way. that God intended men TO
work in order TO live, and to work good
work that they might be happy; which
was as much Of the higher sort OF wis
dom az Toms small mind could comfor-
tably absorb.
This evening William Potter had gone
10 his son-in-Iaw's house. and asked II
Tom might spend the night with him.
1t was Christmas Eve. and he had sue
| ceeded in carrying off Tom.
Grandfather" said the boy, what Is
the use of Christmas?'
1--WE keep the day in remembrance OF
the Lords BIRTH" he said; we keep 1t
for the sake Of Jesus Christ.
But how's that? They don't dress up
the shops and eat all those beautiful
! things for the sake Of Jesus Christ" said
Tom. mystihed
"Ah. well, that's the other side Of the
thing, There's those-and they're many
who think little enough about the LORD
at ALL They Just keep holiday, and make
fun according to the common custom OF
the country"
But II il is the Lords birthday, they've
no right to forget Him, and take the Tune
lust for their own fun, said Tom' who
had prettv strong opinions some times.
well. well. my boy, 'tisn't for us 10
be a-judging of our neighbors But you
and might try TO keep to-morro" as the
Lords birthday, Tom;
4 cart loaded with evergreens passed
them, and Tom looked longingly az the
masses of shining leaves ana scarlet Der
ries. 49,
cried a CHEEKY voice behind them. VIII
YOUR boy care TO tighten my load bitY
| asked for a shilling s-worth OF you.
green stun. but I'd no notion that shili-
ing would get such a bulky bunch. can
carry all this. IT'S mighty prickly, can
tell ye."
The speaker was a bright-faced woman
clad In a comfortable shawl and gay BON
net. She detached two-good-sized houghs
OF holly from the quantity she had
bought, and handed it 10 Tom
THE old man thanked her. Tom for
once was spocchless But those bright
eyes Of his had the trick OF eloquence'
and the woman did not think MN I'M
grateful.
Never had Tom found himself buster
than that night. There was all tne usual
work 10 do, the sweeping and the run
hing. and all that holly 10 arrange be
sides II was difficult 10 decide whether
il looked best all I'm a bush over me
fireplace. or stuck I'm separate twigs all
round the framework Of the window. Tom
tried IL both ways. and could not settle
with himself as 10 which should he the
final arrangement. II was not much use
asking his grandfather: he only grunted
out. Eyes yes, very pretty, whenever
way IL was.
Tom sat down at last and rsted his
chin on his two fists, as he leant FORWARD
on his stool by the fire.
Il wish you'd tell me about Christmas
he said at last. Il can't rightly under
stand"
NO. my lad and the angels themselves
didn't understand and the wise men
didn't believe And yet after all, us
thing that seems clear enough TO me- y
was the Lord, the Prince OF heaven. He
looked from heaven. His dwelling-place
and pitied us men, lost In sin and sorrow.
SO he came lie offered Himself 10 come
and live a life OF goodness as a man. such
a life as no man had ever lived before
And lie offered 10 die, 50 as to clear MS
from the sin such as He Himself had
never done"
Eyes grandfather"
"WeH, lie came. He lived the holy
life He died the holy death And lie
handed the credit 81 1t all TO ms poor sin
| ners whom He loves. so that all who be-
lieve in Him should not perish. but go %
Him 10 be happy and holy where He has
gone. That's the story. lad. IT'S,
perhaps hard for such as you 10 take 10
in. but when a mans tired, as ! am. tired
OF failing and SHINING and striving. It
! sounds Ike the III OF a mothers song on
the ears. IL does.
And Christmas? o."
Christmas is just the day OF remem-
brance FOR us of the hour when He came
a baby 10 the earth. And all who bear
His name Of Christian should be Joyful
and thankful that day"
Tom, mystified as he was. caught at
those last words I'm his practical way
How can l be joyful and thankful"
he said.
Potter was on easier ground now. lie
answered quickly
Both you and l can praise the good
God for Ills Kindness TO us. and His bless
ed Son for the love lie has 10 us And
tomorrow. boy" he added, laying his
wrinked hand on the lads head-"to-
morrow We VIII see II anyone a-ngh Us
is poorer and less happy than We. and
We can try 10 pleasure them and make
them thankful too. That's one way 10
please the Lord, Tonic be good 10 others
for His sake"
Then II was Toms bedtime so he
brought the brown-covered Testament,
and read aloud about the first Christmas
Eve, and Of the song OF the angels al
Bethlehem.
Tom dreamt OF that wondrous song as
he lay on his pallet-bed that night
Potter's room was in a narrow street
quite near 10 the minister. and on the NOR
row, Christmas-Day. the old man and
the child went to the service there.
Little Tom Dimond knelt by old Pot
| ter's side that Christmas-Day, and saw
the sunbeams streaming through the
arches. he heard the music stealing
through the aisles and echcing from the
misty distance Of the roof lie did not
rightly understand" even yet. But when the
words rang out. Praise We the Lord"
his childish treble rose clear in the re-
Spouse, THE Lords name be praised"
Then he fell to wondering again about
the angels song. The clergyman read
the exact same words as he had spelled
through last night in the brown-covered
Testament. Tom looked at the choristers:
he knew one or two OF them. Their sing
ing was lovely, for sure, but the angels,
he guessed, could beat il.
II ever 1 get TO heaven, they'll have to
teach me hard" thought Tom, FOR
don't know anything much about singing.
l wish l could properly praise the Lord
with singing"
The service was over. and the old man
and the boy passed out into the pale win