The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
CHRISTMAS SER MON
 BY REV. MR. HENDRIX
PASTOR OF ST. JOHNS CHURCH DELIVERS AN ELOQUENT SER MON AT HIS MORNING SERVICE. THE CHURCH WAS FILLED.

The Rev. ". R. Hendrix, the pastor of the St. Johns Methodist church, preached an eloquent Christmas sermon yesterday at the morning service. The church was filled with people. His text was Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, and good will toward men" Luke ii 19. He said, in part:
 We are in the midst of a holiday sea- son, in some respects the most remark able feature of human history. That nations inheriting different traditions, living after different customs, and separ- ated by thousands of leagues of land and sea, should come to celebrate one of the myriad events of past history Is pro- foundly sgnicant. The general suspen- sion of business operations in the great nations of the earth, adds immensely to the significance of this holiday season. It is in the bounds of sober reason to say that no conceivable occurrence of the present could so effectually stop the hum of machinery and suspend the oper- ations of the business world as the com memoration of this event has done. Once a year the busy world lays aside tenn poral affairs, to celebrate the advent among men of great David's greater son.
 Not Idle Sentiment.
 Tt Is not an idle sentiment that per- petuates this festival among men. That manager cradle around which the world s date lines are bent has lessons of im- measurable importance for universal hu- manity.
 l. It hallows childhood Among the heather, where the light of the gospel has not yet come, and among the heathen of Christian lands, who choose darkness rather than light, children have only a commercial value. People of this type may thrive upon civilization, but con tribute no more to it's growth than the mistletoe to the oak. Christmas is the children's festival. Since Jesus was wrapped in swaddllng clothes. the nur- sery has become a hallowed spot
 ?. The common people. Human pride and sef-sufficiency are rebuked God passes by the great and the mighty and chooses from among the common people those whom He delights to honor Not arbitrarily, but because it has always been that the earth's benefactors have sprung. not from the crown nor feet of humanity, but from her throbbing heart. That faithful multitude unhonored and unsung among men, are not forgotten be- fore God.
 The Third Lesson.
 Thprp Is a lesson of att,lip,a no atiapro which we ought to learn from Him, who in order to be touched with a sense of our infrmities. was willing 10 accept the con- ditions of slow and tedious growth that He might attain unto l perfect human sympathy. Would that this lesson might rebuke effectually the impatence with which our people rush forward into the arena of business before we have become adjusted to our relations
 Our Unseen Friends.
 The revelation of the fact that the multitude of the heavenly host Is bet ter acquainted with our highest interests than we ourselves. and are so disposed to- ward us as to tune their harps and sing their loudest anthems of joy over our best blessings, is one of the many rea- sons why an increasing number each year study with delight the Bethlehem object lesson To know that the affection ate sympathy of one person is ours Is an inexpressible comfort and inspiration to us. But to know that the municipalities and powers in heavenly places are on our side. transflgures this life in even it's most adverse conditions.