The gold leaf., 1902-12-25
TOYS OF # |
ID CHRISTMAS |
Festival Should Be One of Glad
nes,, Said the Late DR.. I.
| De Witt Talma9e
~ ONGs greeted the birth of our

- ONGS greeted the birth of our
~ Saviour. Angelic tongues with
~ living fire sang the incarnation
as they lowered over the hills
of JudHa. The music was resonant
with joy. From the hour that the Nir-
gin laid Eer Babe on pillow Of straw
in the manger all Christendom has
since that time made the anniversary
Of this natal day season of gladness,
q season of UubOundcd joy.
Wreathc the laurel. twine the bay.
Christ was born on Christmas day.
There were special reasons for these
heavenly songs being sung by the ce-
Icstial chorus, for there was JOY in
Gods great heart, joy among the first
born sons Of light. joy thrilling all the
heavenly empire, joy that is yet to be
prt in the new son" sung by redeemed
millions around tine throne Of 'the
Lamb slain from the foundation OF the
world
It was the music Of liberty. When
these heavenly hosts sang the "Gloria
In EXcelsis," the whole world was
resting under CALLING yokes Of oppres-
sion Slavery was universal. Task
masters were everywhere severe to
those in scrvitude. Greece Rome and
Palestine heard daily the groans Of
these III bondage. The world was in
chains. But the song Of the angels
rang the dcathkncll OF bondage. The
Babe was Gods emancipation His
distinctive mission was to set at liberty
the captiycs and proclaim dcliycrance
to the bruised and crushed SONS of toll
Under the mild and genial influence
Of our holy Christianity fcttCrs fall Or
everywhere. until now in this morning
Of our new century there are few ma
tons to be found that hold SCrfs.
Glorious freedom, Triumphant achieve
Inant of the cross. Wherever it is lifted
chains are broken and spiritual cman-
cipation Is proclaimed.
1t was the music Of hope. Until
Jesus appeared all the ancient religions
had offered only Il message Of despair
No light fell upon tie grave or illu-
mined the vast beyond. Darkness
rci%Hcd in supreme, suilcn ma a:csty
and not Il single star Of hope ;slded
the future. The grave was an eternal
prison. i:ut the songs sung by the
heavenly chOrStcrs on that cycntful
night h"raldcd hope to Il lost world.
IIto the soul of SHINING humanity
came the sweet rays Of JOY and peace
AID hlcs>"dncss. and. looking Gown
10 the grave. all fear had vanished,
f.. sin the sting of death, was gone
aId cancelled H. Il glorious Christ the
Lord. The" loo.ed and Hch"ll-
On the cold Chez, of death smiles and
roses are blending.
and beauty immortal awakes from the
tomb.
And this is our Christmas JOY that
Jesus has lifted into immortal hope the
i.Hycs of all our beloved friends who
s.rcp in him.
Ii was the music of victory. When
Jesus came, the great mass of human
j. was in scrfdom, and the dignity of
labor WAS not cOmprchcndCd Toll
N#S regarded as Il dc5radation La
Lorcrs We're dcspiscd and all forms of
manual industry held to be disgrace.
Eut the Son of Mary and Joseph came
to teach the world Il new philosophy
and 10y honorable industry he pro
cialncd the dignity of labor and taught
that
The honest man. tho ere sac poor.
Is King of Tlen for a that.
Jesus counts the beads of sweat
upon the brow Of every son of toll.
lie notes all injustice done the labor
ing classes, and only as his spirit pre-
walls among men Will the great con
1ict between labor and capital cease.
But that day is coming ere long-the
glad Christmas of ages
When man to man the wide world DER
Shall brothers he and a that
Christian Herald.