Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-12-26
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

The glad and Joyous Christmas time is
with us once agdn:
Who has a heart-however scared and
cold by contact with the baser side Of crea
tion-that cannot Prish In memory sweet
iMfients Of some Christmas spent in days
or"lang syne," or that cannot appreciate the
loving kindness that dictates the bestowal
of Christmas gifts, even though the gentle
reminders are simple and useless, as far as
utility is concerned, for we know the hand
that gave them was prompted by the purest
motives of love and the heart felt naught
but kindness for US. The thought reminds
us OF the many who know no joy, whose
homes are desolate, whose hearts are blurred
and wearied with the toll Of years spent in
fruitless attempts TO acquire something II
seems fate has decided shall not be theirs.
To them we can only say, God be mer.
cilul.
There are other homes, though they may
he humble, where the beacon light OF love
burns on, where happy hearts decorate the
worn and rugged walls with garlands of
beauty, and the sound of merry footsteps
are heard ever and anon along the olden
corridors.
God has given US Christmas in memory of
the birth Of the one Preserver sent US from
the dark ages OF the past, from whom we
can gain the blessed hope Of immortality
and find pardon for all the sin committed on
this mundane sphere. May He give Us the
faith, the love, the divine inspiration TO
place our frai barques under His guidance
and permit Him to carry us through life
Till we reach the silver strand on the other
side.
The river Of life is flowing on TO join the
mighty ocean beyond Through the valley of
the shadows we must CO." but from the
shadows we will come to the limpid tide of
the "Rver Of Life" and to the SUBMITS of
the invisible hills from whose crested tops
will descend the dews of love, brighter,
purer than the crystal drops from Mount
Harmon.
"Rest and be thankful" was the rather
celebrated piece Of advice given by great
political chief to his followers. Like much
other modern counsel, 1t did not meet with
entire acceptance. Yet the precept must be
admitted to be an excellent one for certain
occasions, and we cannot but feel that no
more appropriate occasion for applying it
could be made than occurs during the pres
ent Christmas season.
A time Of rest is grateful TO the hard
worked farmer, whose crops at length are
housed and saie-to the merchant, who is
balancing his books, and watching for the
promised revival of business, and to the
happy children whom this season has been
looked forward TO with such promises OF
unmxed enjoyment. 1t is time of rest
for all.
We must not, however, forget that there
is one class among us whose members can
not share in the pleasures of this season,
except through our aid and sympathy
The poor are always with US, and to them
the approach OF winter, with its frosts and
scant employment, brings gloom and terror.
1t has often been suggested, but cannot be
too frequently repeated, that il every family
whose means rightly used will afford sur.
plus would assist much want and suffering
would be saved to Gods poor.
During this happy holiday season the
SENTINEL enters the doors of its friends and
readers and wishes all merry Christmas
time, and trusts that every blessing that the
bounty of Providence can yield will be
theirs to cheer them in this time of thank
fitness and rest.