The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-12-21
Thoughts for Christmas.

Thoughts for Christmas.
We are nearing the twensy-6fth Of Decem.
Der. A few more suns will rise and set snd
the birthday of the Son Of God will be here.
The pulsasion Of every heart quickens with
pnrar and hoiier emotions as the mighty an
niversarT approaches. Already the sosg of
The angels ssPesce on ear,h good will toward
menu penrs its inspiring note of peace and
charity into every humane soul. Eseo now
we catch glimpse Of loves great object
lesson The Manger, the Kingly Babe With
the halo of glory arouad His Sacred Head.
The simple announcement fscm the lips of
the inspired historian, ssNow the birth OF
Jesus Christ was on this wisen followed by
the sweet story Of the incarua,ion now faint-s
u reaches the ear of .sshe listening earth"
Yes. the pnrpling tints of another Christmas
moro have nearly gathered on the eastern
horizon. Like the Indian Summer" which,
IN our Southern cline. brings impronpiu
spring In the midst Of dreary winter, 80
Ch-issmas very breath from heaven dissi.
pstes FOR season with its snperual warmth
The coidness and sel6shness of earth. The
stream of beneyoleace and charity, which DOW
pours its food-tide Of love over eur land, has
10 rise beyond the clouds. As We coniem-
plate that scene in Bethlehem every corroding
care. eYery anxious fosetbought becomes
absosbsd ii the immortal possibilities which
it suggests. Netting can dim the brightness
and joyousress of this great festival. Even
TIE sadness at the absence of some departed
losed enc from our family gathering finds its
antidote in the snrs hope which bis bright
season holds out of eternal reunicn. Not
poverty nor want nor sny earthly affection
can chill the thrill of gratitude wbica Dow
wells in every bosom. The atmosphere OF
kiudslness which setslea down. over earth
could snIv be waited from the home OF God
and. the angels. As our hearts soften
rnder these inspiring influences they
na.uraIly GEEK some practical exprss-
sion Of good viii, some vent for their
sympatbies. Does merely assisting 10 pro-
viding generous repast for the poor satinfy
our Christmas born charity Doesshe angels
song strike no higher key note than that?
Such petty beueyoierce alone is unworthy of
tbe: :day. Not that we object to this, far from
il; ne commend il most heartily. but We
conssr.d our hsaYen.snspired feelings demand
a noslsr and more extended range. Per-
chance We know the extreme poverty within
neighbor's bone. Pride and e proper self
respec. u,ay haze succeeded in screeaipg the
sad ssuth from general knowledge but we,
sneighbor, know it. Perhaps the childish
prattl.s Of some lamb from that home that
mama said ssSanta Claus was not coming to
. = .
their home becanse papa mad debts on
him., may have given us the first
real hat of the manly struggle within
that home TO maintair their honor and good
name at every selfsacvi6ce. Or our Deighbor
mar have taken Us aside aud, conscions of
onr confidence, may haye con6ded to US the
psthetic story of his affairs-msy have whss-
nered 10 us that ssthe wolf was even now
cat the door, that be would soon perhaps
ssbe broken up (and, oh ! the ghastiy ap.
propriatepess of that awfn! term) (: that all
he would save from the wreck would he his
honor. And, he continued, be did not know
ins. what to do-thst be had almost given up
hope, had it NOS been for his bsavs little
wife and bis eye kindled With look OF en-!
courseement az be told us how that noble
woman, With rsaas Of heavenly glory on
her pure face which could only have received
its impress from prayerful contact with the
Holy Central Figure of Bethlehem. infused
into bis dropping epirits some of woman's
he.oism and bade him cheer up, tba. things
would brightsl.
Oh. has not the storm of agricultural de-
preston 10 this section s.rewn around rs
macy such noble wrecks? as you read these
lines does there not rise rp before your heart
and wind some such sad experience Perhaps