Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-25
Christmas.
CThe Observations OF a Philosophical
Friend Of Ours)

CThe Observations of Philosophical
Friend of Ours)
We are all IN the midst Of fulfilled and
fulfilling prophecy. In all the past. human
history has been full Of the work OF the
devil the serpent who brought sin into
the world, with all our woes. The war
has been a long one between manhood
and deviltry. between truth and false
hood, virtue and vice; between loyalty
to a righteous God and submission to the
evil one.
The first promise TO our race was that
the seed OF the woman should bruise the
serpent's head; that man made after the
image Of God should triumph over the
adversary ard be re-established IN his
first estate Of holiness and right
eousness. of fellowship with the
Supreme. Satan triumphed at the first
the race was lost In the deluge. One
man of God with his family survived TO
continue the grand struggle. family
and family life were perpetuated by the
ark. And the ark foreshadowed the
Church of Christ, the protector and sa-
viour OF the family. The chosen people
in their time kept the great truths and
principles and germs that clustered
around the faith in the Lord God Al
mighty. The champions Of Israel fought
the common enemy. The two tables of
stone inflicted the first blow that bruised
IN serpent's head. They laid the foun-
dations of our civilization, and are unac-
countable without the full story of Sinai.
The manifestation of power, when they
came into being, was as much in place
as the manifestation of peace and good
will at the birth of the Son of Man.
The best and most authentic history
tells Of persons aid events and promises
all typical and prophetic-when darkness
and dimness covered the earth and people,
lamentation and weeping and tears filed
all ears and faces, and all places. The
fulness OF time came TO make an end OF
sin, TO make reconciliation for iniQuity. TO
bring in everlasting righteousness, and to
anoint the Most Holy. The Sun of Right
eousness arose with healing in His wings;
midway In the stream of time, in the
course OF history.
Tears were turned into dewdrops bril-
liant at the day dawn, and the earth was
bejewelled with light
Blessed are indeed the eyes that see the
things that we see. on all that had gone
before streamed the light from the Day
Star In mans shape appeared the Won
derful, the Counsellor. the Mighty God
the Everlasting Father. the Prince OF
Peace.
The first pair were indicated as
after the image of God; the do
minion of sin, satan, and death
was overthrown; the serpent's head
was bruised; the ark rested in the
mount. the Church and family of God: the
righteousness of all holy men OF old was
honored: the ladder was revealed, the
way to Heaven. the Truth. and the Life !;
the Cross was lifted with its Victim to
draw all men unto it: the Servant chosen
of God. I'm whom His soul delighted: the
Man more precious than gold. than the
golden wedge of Ophir; the King 10 reign
In righteousness appeared. All types ana
events and persons and prophecies in the
dark backward reflect the wonderful
light and glory Of the Lord our righteous
ness. And what has followed? All the
world IL full OF this light. The beams that
shine from lions hill enlighten every
land All the whole earth acknowledges
Christian civilization, In perfection, as the
highest possibilities of the human race, as
ideal manhood The wilderness and the
solitary place have been gladdened. and
the desert rejoIces and blossoms as the
rose And this glorious season. ell full o.
peace and love and Joy and Kindness. OF
reunions and refreshments and delight
full hopes is the bright mirroring OF the
good time acoming. when there shall be
no more sorrow and signing and tears;
when the earth and sea shall give up their
dead and the earth shall resound With the
glad hallelujah Is not all this true? Then
what shall We do but wish to all A Merry
Christmas.