The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-22
CHRISTMAS PEACE.
(Selectcd for The Times.)

'.Rejoice in the Lord Away; and again
L say rejoce.'-Phil. iv., 4.
This is a. glorious text. and one fit to
be the keynote of Christmas Day. If we
will take it to heart it will tell us how
to keep Christmas Day, and not only
that day, but all that holy season.
st. Paul has been speaking of two good
women, who seem to have had some DIFF
ference and he beseeches them to make
UP and be Of the same mind in the Lord
And then he goes on to tell them, and
all Christian people why they Should
make up any existing disputes. He says
all men are to make friends with each
other, and rejoice in the Lord. Let your
moderation" he says, "be known unto ali
men, The Greek word lie uses here sig
miles forbcarancc, reasonable dealing
consideration for one another, readiness
to give way, not standing too severely
OF ones rights.
Now, this is just the temper in which
VIC ought to meet one another at Christ
mas-forbearance. They may not have al
No more have we to them Let US, once
in the year at least, forget old srudges
Let us do, as we would be done by: givo
and forgive; live ana let live; bury our
past quarrels and shake hands over their
graves.
For the Lord is at hand; close to each
Of us; watching all We do, and setting
the right value on it ali. He cannot mis-
take. lie sees both sides Of a matter, and
all sides-a thousand sides which we can
not. do not see. He can judge better
than we; let Him judge. Why do I say
>le1 Him judge? He has Judged already
weeks. months ago, as soon as each
quarrel happened Perhaps He found us
in the wrong, as well as olii' nciShbors;
and, if SO, the least said the soonest
mendcd. Let us forgive and forget, lest
we be neither forgotten nor forgiven.
And because the Lord is at hand, be
anxious about nottingham is to say, 90
not fret do not worry. do not terrify
yourselves. The Lord is at hand; He
knows what you want, and will He not
give it?
Is not Christmas Day a sign that He
will give it, a pledge of His love? What
did He do on that first Christmas Day?
What did He show himself to be on that
first Christmas Day: Now, here is the
root of the whole matter, and deep
root it is as deep as the beginning of al
things which arc, or ever were, or ever
vii! be. And yet, if we will believe our
Bibles. it is a root which we all may find.
For what did the Angels say the first
goodwill! towards mon! That is what
God proclaimed. That is what lie said
-'ot Ho ',al. and that He would give to
all mankind
you pelseve that Gods will is a good
will to you, then you will have peace on
earth Tor. believe in Christmas Day:
believe that the Lord is at hand; that He
has been made man forever and ever for
you; that to the man Christ Jesus all
power is given in heaven and earth; and
then, if YOU want aught, instead of grudg
ing or grinding your neighbors, ask Him
In everything let your requests be made
known unto God, and then the peace Of
God will keep your heart, through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
You will feel at peace with God, be-
cause you will have found out that God is
at peace with you. God is not against,
but for you; God does not hate. but loves
you. And if God is at peace With YOU,
what cause have You 10 be at war with
Him? So the message Of Christmas vii!
bring you peace
You will be at peace with your neigh
bors. When you see God STOPPING to make
peace with sinful men, YOU will be
ashamed TO be quaTreling with them;
when you see God full OF love. You will
be ashamed to keep up your pevis}1ness,
and grudsiag, and spite.
Go. then, to God himself Thou art His
child. as Christmas Day declares; be not
afraid to go 10 thy Father. Pray to Him,
tell Him all thy needs. all thy sin. Say
to Him: 30, Father, Give me Thy peace:
I fear cannot keep Christmas Day
Alright, for have not a peaceful! Christ
mas feeling in me. Pour Thy love over
me, that may love as Thou lowest. and
live as Thou livest. trust that Thou
wilt do this for me. for believe the good
news Of Christmas Day; believe the
message OF Christmas: That Thou SO
lowest the world that Thou hast sent
Thy Son to save the world and me; be-
lieve that Thy will is peace on earth.
even peace to me, restless and unquiet
as am. and goodwill to men. even to
the chief of sinners
Pray thus and see if His peace will not
lcod your heart and abide there all your
days,
---------------
advertise Virginia. says the Rich
mond Times and so says the Herald, and
SO the Herald is earnestly and constantly
trying to do. Our effort is to write UP
results Of work on our farms, and week