New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-25

young Child and His holy mother And He Whom
we remember on Christmas Dav was Himself Gods
unspeakabe gift the highest token that God is our
Father, loving with almighty love bestOwing
His Son upon And He Himself the Child grew up
to give Himself ree for Because it is the name
of Him Who lived for others and not for Himself we
honor above every other name the name of Jesus.
Nations keep the birthdays of their great men
not merely because they were great, but because
they gave great service to their country We re-
member the birthday of Washington not because
he led an army and won victories but because he
the father of his country" We hold as a holiday
the birthday of Abraham Lincoln because he was
Presdent-there have been more than twenty Prcsi-
dents whose BIRTHDAYS have been forgOttcn-bl5t
because he saved the nation. Italy lifts up statue
in every city to Garbald and England places wreath
on the tomb of Gladstone, and Germany looks with
reverence on the rugged features of Bismarck; not
because these men held high Office but because each
wrought noble deeds for his nation
So Christmas tells us of one who counted His
life dear unto Himself Who gave Himself up living
and dying for the good Of men One Whose life touches
every other life since His day with blessing He Who
was the Star of Bethlehem is the Light that lighteth
every man that COmeth into the world
For there IS power going out from Christ Jesus
to change men into his likeness. The Star of His
life shining human hearts makes them tender
loving unselfsh, like the heart of the Master The
world to-day is better than the world wherein Jesus
lived, because muttudcs of people and ever-enlargng
nave been touched by the spirit OF ChSt,
have been transformed and made like unto Him.
They living. each in his measure, Chrst's life
OF love and helpfuness and mercy. Let
Christmas Day think of Him. and thinking OF Him
let grow more like Him
Years ago | read a story which was widely circu-
lated at that time though in the flood of newer books
it is now almost forgotten. 1t entitled Vice
Versa, and It told OF magic stone, which when
held in the hand once and once only would give to
the holder in an instant whatever he wished. \
rich old man. who was fat pompous and selfish and
who did not like be bothered with boys was telling
his that he come home from his boarding
school at Christmas but must stay and improve
his mind, and he happened to be holding the magic
stone he saying Il wish only that | you
with the privilege of being in school and improving
mind In the twinking of an eye he was changed
with only sizpence his pocket for whom the stage
at the door to take him unwiingly to school
Boys understand about magic better than men,
of course and in another minute the boy had the
in his hand, and wishing himself "A Just
like papa, and then he became the portly banker.
with gold chain on his waistcoat and plenty OF
glineas in his pocket So the banker became boy,
and the boy became banker, all in a minute; and
the banker went the boarding school and the boy
down the directors table in the bank Presi-
dent. But each had his former nature in
his new dress: the boy at school
was a man inside, and the big
Era, IS reProaueeo banker was a boy after all and
ne ahgenc inquire terrible boy too as the clerks
toWara Dethlenerl' and customers in the bank
ger OF Inc he"-oTH found their amazement.
CHRISTMAS mor4h3' Neither was comfortable and
sorry time they both had until
society of American Christmas one else held
Sunday Magazine the stone and wished them both