The evening times., 1899-12-25
MONDAY. DECEMBER 25, 1899.
Lessons of Christmas.

truce 10 worry and work and troub e
this day. for it is Christmas. Throughout
the broad domain of Christendom glows the
good spirit of the Yuletide- Even where
cannons frown and pickets tramp, the oc-
casion is not forgotten, for the boys in blue
in the Far East are exchanging holiday
greetings over army rations, with some
dainties from home thrown in, and Tommy
Atkins devours his plum pudding a-d
drinks to the health of the Queen on The
battlefield of South Africa.
The greater the progress OF mankind, the
more ardor there is in the celebration OF
The festival which has grown to be one OF
the most cherished institutions of civiliza-
tion. The anniversary is a tonic for the
better nature of the world. Its influence
is rejuvenatiug and regeneratiye. Its motive
is an antidote for selfishness. Its jollity
drives away the phantom of dull care as
the breeze the mist. Its excellent temper is
infectious, and its evidences of the inherent
good cause the optimst TO rejoice and the
pessimist TO seek refuge in the silence that
befits him on this occasion.
Even Old Scrooge today is happy. He
has seen the light of life, the bright side
Of philanthropy, the deep satisfaction that
emanates from the practice of helping hu-
manity. He has realized the folly of sola-
tion and of hostility to the finer instincts
OF human nature, even though that her
mitage may bring an accumulation of rich
es. The gold of Croesus will not buy a
really Merry Christmas, for happiness is
not purchasable. 1t comes from within
and is not quoted on change.
There would be no more certain sign OF
degeneration than the lack of enthusiasm
in the observance of Christmas. An indif
ference to The peace and good will ami
versary would indicate a tendency more
menacing TO the integrity of the nation
than many positive evils. 1t is such ce e.
brations that keep families together and
perpetuate the friendship that spreads is
kindly woof ever the country's millions
like a Thousand invisible ties that bind
them together in social integrity, in patri-
otism, in jealousy for the good and growth
of the Republic.
To some the features OF Christmas Day
may seem evanescent and childish, even
superficial; but the silent influences of the
occasion, the sermons in little things,
permeate every fibre of the age in which
we live. The child is father TO the man.
and lessons learned when the mind is in
the receptive condition OF youth. responsive
10 true sentiment and yielding to the
teaching of simplicity in which there is
often much wisdom, may turn the scale for
the country's good when the rising genera
tion is at the helm of state.
In the glimmering light Of Christmas
tapers are often engendered ideas, if Lot
ideals. and the love of home that comes
as an inspiration from the joy of its cele-
brations is the seed of that greater affec-
tion for the nation which protects that
home. Patriotism begins at the freside:
all the better traits of men and women
find origin in the circle of the family
when the family is what it should be.
The soldier on the distant battlefield,
ready to die for great principles, today re-
calls the time when Christmas warmed his
boyish heart. exciting vague ambitions of
what he would do when he had reached
mans estate. The dreams of that time ce-
ment his determination today and their in
spiration' make him a better warrior and
a better man,
1t is gratifying to realize that Christmas
will never wear out. Its enthusiastic cele- |
bration is one of the best signs of the |
times. Its effects are entirely wholesome |
except when too much astronomical indul- |
gence produces indigestion, and that is the |
fault OF the individual rather than the oc- |
casion.
There are reasons for believing that |
Christmas, 1900, will dawn upon a world |
much better than it is today The tendency |
to expand, to spread the beneficence of i
civilization into the benighted corners OF
the earth, may be taken as an indication
that the next twenty fifth Of December
will find the American style of Christmas
tree in-fasfieR- where it is now compara-
lively unknown.