Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25
CHRISTMAS. 1895.

This Christmas. which, as time rolls
on. will live in memory as that of the
year Of the spanish-American war. hap
pens to fall on a Sunday. and, .he-e-
fore. ought to be doubly sacred. But,
as a matter Of fact, with many persons
there will be a fierce struggle between
the reverent spirit and the inclination to
indulge in the j~oyiality characteristic Of
the season.
A happy mean, we are satisfied, win
be found by the great majority of our
people, but the precise formula for dis
covering it we cannot give. Much de-
ponds upon ones age. disposition. and
environments; but 1t would be a safe
rule for all to follow, 10 remember that
here we lave two holy days COM
bIned in one. and that Of all
times this is the one when selnshness
and heartlessness are the least excusable.
Whoever disturbs others in the reason
able enjoyment OF the day. and for his
or her w selfish pleasure robs them
OF their happiness has not the slightest
comprehension of the true meaning OF
the word Christmas.
That much. at least, we may say in
furthering the general wish that to-day's
observance may be worthy of the religion
we profess; the Prince of Peace, whose
birth IL commentaries, and a commu-
nifty which has ever prided itself upon
knowing the difference between liberty
and license.
The children OF to-day will be the old
folks some decades hence and will look
back to their ChTistmases as TO the Joy
spots in their lives-if they have been
well observed; with grief and shame, if
I'll observed.
Childhood's Christmases are slow to
fade from memory. Impressions then
made fall upon tablets that are as wax
TO receive and as flint to hold. The odor
OF cedar brings back the fragrance Of
by-gone times, when a poor, patient, plod-
ding mother made every little trinket
for the Christmas-tree that was TO well
come her children's eyes at dawn. A
thousand recollections stored away in the
mysterious cells Of the brain come troop
ing out at the sight Of a row OF children's
stockings hung by the chimneypiece. The
boy with the drum; the girl with a doll
ah. We have known their predecessors.
They speak 10 us of halycon days and Of
q home circle long since broken and scat
tered.
Christmas Is not generally spoken Of
as a reminiscential season, but IL Is. AT
no other time do elderly people think SO
nuch Of their own c~hildhood's days. Many
= boy and girl to-day will receive an
extra fine present. because some old
scrooge has had his ninty heart melted
by turning over IN his memory the recol-
lection Of his own far-past Christmases.
Such retrospections ara not always joy
Gus. Far from Il. There is much to
lament that we nave found out who Santa
Claus SIS, much 10 regret that with in
creased knowledge. increased happiness
has not come. But still our experience
ought 10 be worth something; at least,
IL should teach US the beauty and holi-
ness OF trying TO make others happy.
That is the true Christmas spirit. That
Is the doctrine and l~fe-teaching Of our
Saviour. Envy, ~selnshness, and unehari-
tableness ought 10 have no place In our
hearts to-day. For once in our lives we
should test the plan OF gaining happiness
from the happiness we give others.
IL you are not ready to enjoy Christ
mas. something is wrong with you. Find
out what II is. Search your heart. See
n you are a crank. IL you find that you
are @nd you are more likely 20 get that
information from friends than through
introspection). remember that the true
atmosphere Of Christmas Is a panacea
Tor that malay. II you are poor, bear
u erayeiy, and don't be envious. Enjoy
wat you nigye. and eheerfully hope for
p@itsf thinSil II you are rich and are