Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1896-12-30
You'll use 1-3 less of Harmless soap.
ION EARTH PEACE. :"

Christmas Sermon by Rev. FIR. Reynolds afte
Celebration of High Mass at St. Charlie.
Church Christmas Eve.
By the courtesy of FIR. Reynolds we are
able to give complete the thoughtful anc
timely sermon delivered at the celebration
of high mass in St. Charles church Christ
mas eve. 1t is especially appropriate te
the Christmas season and careful perusa
will repay even those who week after week
are accustomed to hear the eloquent and
earnest words Of FIR. Reynolds.
"And suddenly there appeared with the
angel multitude of the heavenly army
praising God and saying, GLORY to God in
the highest and peace on EARTH to.men
Of good will. st. Luke chapter 2
Dearly beloved brethren-A great day
in the history of nation is that on which
it broke the chains which held it captive in
the degrading bonds of slavery and pro-
claimed to the world its freedom and indie
pendence. It's memory is cherished in the
hearts of grateful people and its anniver-
sary is celebrated with patriotic joy. Such
in the Christian church is the great feast of
Christmas, for it is the anniversary of our
independence, both temporal and spiritual.
Nearly 10 centuries have elapsed since
the stiffness OF the night was broken with
the song of triumph announcing the end of
our spiritual desolation and temporal woe :;
the bondage Of mankind to the tyranny of
earth and the slavery of hell is forever
broken; the long, dreary night of 1000
years is at an end and the bright dawn
of freedom ushered in; hence the feast of
Christmas year after year has been cele-
brated with joy and triumph by every
Christian nation. Under whatever sky the
cross of Christ has been raised, there his
birth has been celebrated with special
splendor of ceremony and deep devotion in
the church, while the smile of gladness, the
cheerful hearth, the plenteous board have
ever proclaimed that the great anniversary
has once more come around to the Chris
tian home.
But do we allow the full significance of
this great mystery to penetrate our hearts
and impress our minds? 1t is related of
certain nobleman that on the occasion of
his anniversary he was accustomed to visit
some poor families and generously relieve
all their wants. He was looked forward to
with joyful anticipation and loud was the
praise and deep the feelings of gratitude
bestowed on the royal benefactor, and
when he was called to his reward, even in
death, he was not unmindful of them but
made provision that his generosity towards
them should be continued the gifts are as
gladly as ever received, the festive board |
proclaims day of joy, all enjoy the bene-
factions, but the benefactor is soon forgot
ten. In this picture may be traced the
conduct of many Christians towards the
great feast Of Christmas benefits long re-
celved become matter of course; graft
tude and thankfulness for their enjoyment
is seldom thought of. This is not always
attributed to want of faith and devotion,
but also to the fact that we are accustomed
to the enjoyment of these gifts from our in
fancy and do not reflect on the source from
whence they emanated.
In order then to excite in our hearts a
feeling Of gratitude, let us compare the
security in which we live without fear of
injury to life or property, the compassion
Of man for the sufferings of his fellow men,
with the demon of cruelty and selfshness
which ruled the world before the coming of
Christ and then with grateful hearts You
will thank God for dis Christmas nights
gift to man.
Read the history of pagan Rome, the
mistress of the civilized world; Rome that
10 swayed the world by its might and
power, its learning and wealth, that the
'roudest boast, the greatest glory of civil
zed man was to be able to say 81 am !
roman citizen" Yet when judged in the !
ight of Christianity, by the writings of its Z
the decisions of its statesmen.
he commands of its emperors, and last but
lot least the amusements otit people and it
Will appear hideous monster of cruelty.
The writings of its philosophers and states n
nen about poverty, women and slavery I
vould freeze the blood in any human heart. :
The condition of degradationt to which the Sc a
night lawfully be reduced is too terrible
Or Christian ears to hear. Deformed
outh and crippled oil age were by the
OF an emperor carried on board
essel and drowned at sea.
But it may be said with truth that the
cry best criterion by which to form cor
ect judgment of people is the amuse-
lents they delight in; it is this which dis :,
lays in its true nature and genuine col Il
urs the real character whether of the indi-
ldual or the nation. Here may be seen 81
tho or what rules the heart of man, God a
r the devil, virtue or vice. In this mirror
reflected the Christian and the man ruled b'
y faith and reason or the animal guided N
y the instincts of passion. Keeping in
ind this standard, picture to yourselves =.