The copper era., 1904-12-29

but peace. cOutentmcnt and happi ness in the hearts of all the people. The sweet story of Christ was retold on Christmas day by thousands of teachers wherever Christianity is known. Millions of prayers have been offered to Almighty God to shgwer blessings upon the people. Christ. the saviour of mankind, was born on Christmas day, in Il lowly manager in Bethlehem. and since that day his influence for good has spread throughout the world, and the story of his life and teachings is told in every tongue. Even those who pretend to bc non-bclicvers Tn q Stu prcme Being. freely admit that the human race has been elevated and benefited by the teachings of the bible. Without it, and without the example of Christ ever before Us, the people would soon sink to the lowest order of animals. There are those. and let il be said to their shame, that boast in their disbelief of q Divinity. They pretend to believe
 
 it just ''happcncd:" that man has no soul. and that when he departs this life he will return to m atom of dust of the earth, from whence he came. We Use the words pretend to be- licvc" for really way down deep in their own souls they know better. There k that something in every man which tells him of d future state, where his deeds of this earth will be measured for what they are worth, and judgment rendered ac- Cordingly. The histories of all races of people, from time immcmorial down to the present good hour, tell Us of belief in Supreme Power, d God who rules the univers. It is true that many denied Christ, and still deny Him, yet they had, and still have, faith in God. It has re- maincd for few members of late generations to scoiT at the very ex- istcnCc of God, and to deny that man has an impcrishable soul. They in- ficrr TrTI1CT0TiS doctrines hoping to gain little cheap notoricty regardless of the great harm that may come to those that do not think and reason for themselves. It seems to be d grow ing fad with some, especially with members of the smart set of society to deny God and to lead lives of liccntiousncss and greed. They are to he piticd rather than con- dcmucd. hut their examples are harmful in the extreme. Their time and wealth is spent not in doing good, but in riotouS living, shocking and laScivous conduct which iS d disgrace to civilization, and yet many good l people look on and applaud, and beg l for invitations to these immoral l TCVcl>, that their sons and daughters | may he introduced into the society" | of Nwcldom. Better. far better. would | it he for q mother to follow her | daughter down to her grave. rather | than to Contaminatc her pure soul | with the dcgrcdation and slime of | society aS it exists in many cities. | But let Us bc thankful that these are the exceptions. The human family | iS growing better and purcr in thought and deed aS the years go by. thanks to the Bible. and noble men and women who teach it and follow it aS their guide. The celebration of | Christmas and the holidays, k d sea son of joy. T. k a time to forgive and forget all past differences and to plan new and d better life for the coming year. The old custom of making everyone happy during Christmas is still popular and uni verSally practiced. But more es- peciaGy k it an event in the lives of the little ones. Christmas is their day above all others, and all parents. and everyone. should do all in their power to make them happy. Christ mas k the time for opening the purse. as well aS the heart. The miscellaneous giving of presents is not in harmony with the intent of the celebration of the birth of Christ. except as mere remem- ''''hNN' .'"'iN pNNfiN SlNS bp SNNCS>. and their offerings are useless. It would be better to remember friends with something of little value. and Use the money in buying the necessi- ties of life for the really poor. who are in need, and who could appre- ciate them at their true worth. But at any rate open your purses and give something to some one. And remember that the Lord lovcth q cheerful giver.n Try and do some good during the week, and you will feel the better for it. and make oth- CTS happy, and after all that is the best thing that can be done in this life.