The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-12-24

the natal day of Him who taught the
broadcast humanity and the most disin-
terested love. Had Dickens written
only Of Christmas, he should occupy a
commanding place in the affection OF
humanity because of the CHEEKY scenes
he pictured and the CHEEKY halos he
cast about this day of all days in the
year. The very pathos which at times
seemed part of himself, when he
wrote, quickened aud frightened under
the light Of that day until it was nearly
Invested of all its sadness.
The tragedy of Calvary was years
after the birth scene at Bethlehem.
The God-child had need to grow up to
mans estate and wrap about Him the
mantle of infinite deity before He be-
came a man of sorrows acquainted with
grief. The Christ-day tells of the viz
gin mother and her smile of joy as she
looked upon the face of her newly-born
child It recalls the cherubic song of
the angels that startled the shepherds of
Salem and the effulgent star that
guided the wise men to the manger in
which He lay. 1t brings out of the
past the happy circumstances of those
who were led into the Divine presence,
bringing with them gifts of gold and
frankincense and and myrrh. So, too,
clearer than when first uttered, because
now better understood after the lapse
of 1000 years the Heavenly promise of
peace, good will to men; comes also
the teaching of mercy, forgiveness and
charity as substitute for the older law
of eye for eye and tooth for tooth
When He came the dark night Of cru
city and wrong and oppression rolled
away, ushering in the gray dawn of an
endless day Of love for enemies and
prayers for those that use their neigh
bors despitefully-
as gift-bearers is universally followed,
and meet is it that it should be so, be.
cause the heart that gives in love
has a sure promise of a blessing from
the Lord. The inspiring motive Of do
natives is the love that thinks no evil
against the recipient Of the favor, and
love is the dominant ruler of the heart
that is good. The Christ taught moth
ing if He did not teach the infinite
beauty of home life that's builded upon
love. The heart that loves and is
cheerful gives freely, thus communica-
ting pleasure to others i'll the reflection
that they arc not forgotten, and happi-
ness to the donor in that he perceives
he has communicated happiness. Love
is contagious as happiness is conta-
gious, and blessed and thrice blessed is
that household which welcomes Christ.
mas with ringing Of bells and singing
of glad songs, with laughter and merry
voices, and that makes memorable the
day by tokens of affection, whose value
rests i'll the motive which prompted
tie giving Of them. Did He sorrow?
Not for His sins or follies did He grieve
Did He sweat great drops of blood in
His agony? Then was it that men
might be freed from sin and be capa-
bic of approaching and commemora.
ting and initiating the infinite good o.
His nature. The face that was marret
is now lit with the ineffable joy thai
comes of mains redemption. and from
His great white throne He regards
all earth's children in love and smiles
responsive to the gladness Of those
homes which make merry and bright
the Observation-Disclosures.
WILLIAM ROssER COBBE.