Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-25
edmond PASTORS WHO DISCUSS II SIGNIFIC

His footsteps, and always felt strangely,
sweetly at home in His divine presence.
Faith In the friendship of this Saviour
Is stronger to-day than II was 1.SO years
ago. As students and builders Of history,
we have found out what the truth as It
Is In Jesus can do. 1t has revolutionized
the world.
This IS something to commemorate. II
Is worthy Of d royal celebration. Let the
bells rlngl Let the music roll over the
hills, as il did when the angels sang In
/ the midnight sky near the shepherds Of
Bethlehem.
The divine Christ was born in order
that His human body might enshrine the
purpose OF a God. His infancy wove
around His warm heart tender memories
Of the sufferings Of babyhood. His man
hood gave men a new model 20 copy
I through all the succeeding eras Of time.
He is the conquering hero Of the hour.
| The calendar OF each year blossoms with
| go new wreaths OF honor to hang upon
our Christmas memorial.
Tho Prince Of Peace leads a military
His servants understand 1t.
Some OF them carry Bibles; some carry
guns. Thought, drilled in the armory OF
Heaven, meets thought in mortal combat.
Battle-hags marked the great turning
points i'm the history Of the invisible
Church Of Jesus. Let the drums roll Let
the bugles ring! His cause is marching
oni His kingdom is coming In.
During each annual festival Of the Ad-
| vent, two classes Of beneiciaries ought
always to be remembered-the children
and the poor. Our generosity may turn
poverty into a s~tepping-stone to Heaven.
TO help the helpless is Godlike.
The longest telescope In all the world is
one through which the children look at
the coming Christmas-Day. 1t shines like
a star in a distant sky, but it is always
coming.
At the close OF the civil war I CHANGED
TO pass through one Of the eastern coun-
ties OF Virginia on my way 10 a town not
far off. Night overlook me on the road,
and l sought lodging in a quiet country
home. The time was just two days in
advance OF the Christmas Of 1861. The
eyes of the children were twinkling with
delight at the prospect Of loaded stock.
ingS and a plenty to eat; but their little
hearts were troubled, because mother, who
was the business member Of the firm,
had determined TO send all the turkeys to
market, as there was nothing among the
productions Of the farm so easy to con-
vert into ready money for the purchase
OF necessary supplies for the household.
The rabbit-traps OF the boys had met with
poor luck. and It promised to be a SORROW
ful Christmas with no turkey on the ia
bic.
That day, when the mail was brought
home from the country post-ofice, mother
received a letter from a friend in Wash
ington city, and in it were two gold dol
lars. As she stood on the doorstep dis
playing her gift to the children in the
yard, both dollars accidentally dropped
from her hand. and were instantly picked
up and swallowed by the best turkey in
tho lot.
Everybody was startled. 1t was plain
that something must be done at once. SO
the mammoth bird. with his increased
value, was Immediately cooped in a fence
corner and held there until a council OF
war should decide upon the best course to
pursue. Robbie said: III you send of
that turkey you'll never get your money |
back" Resale said: Mother. when YOU
try to sell that turkey, and tell the peo-
pie he's got s. inside Of him, they won't |
believe you" Husband said: Dear, I'm
afraid some policeman will arrest you for
running a lottery without a license"
So mother decided 10 kill that turkey
for home consumption, and the children
were so happy hat they climbed 10 the
top Of a haystack and slid down all at
once. They were SO thankful that some-
thing had happened-and TO this day their
favorite song in the hymn-book Is he .
one that says: I'm some way or other
the Lord will provide" w. @. STARR.
A Christmas Incident.
Christmas is a time of JOY and glad
ness. especially with little children, and
events may then occur. though trihing in
themselves. which may leave lasting i'm
pressions.
The first Christmas OF which / retain
n distinct recollection came when | was
about 5 years old. II was a cold night.
the log fre burned with a charming glow,
and all the house was agog with talk and
tales Of Santa Claus. The children were
busy searching for some nail or hook on
which to hang the stocking in some weird
niche or corne where Santa would be
sure 10 come. The older members Of the
family. with half a smile on the face.
watched with one eye and took notice
where every stocking was hung. Then
there came into my juvenile mind a bright
thought; IL was original. no one had ever
had IL before, i was very sure. and IL
thrilled me with delight. II was this: IL
I will hang my stocking where nobody
old Santa can find IL, he will give me
something surprisingly nice. So l watch
ed my opportunity and slipped out OF the
door and felt along In the dark for a
nail. which ] remembered In the side OF
the house. kept my secret and told no
one OF my fortunate discovery. but walk-i
ed around with the self-possesssd and
air OF one who knew OF hidden
by the glad shouts OF the other children.