The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1905-12-22

Christmas has become the
most generally observed re-
ngious holiday on earth. There is
scarcely a land beneath the sun that
does not witness some celebration of
the day set apart to commemorate the
birth Of the Carpenter of Nazareth.
While in many Asiatic countries few
participate in these celebrations, there
are yet enough so that all peoples are
learning the significance of the cere-
mony. Then. too, the number Of actual
participants is increasing year by year,
20 that it takes no very great stretch
OF the imagination to picture time
when Christmas observances will be
practically universal.
The charge Of the Master to carry his
gospel to all the world has been re-
ugiously obeyed, and the prophecy Of
the thousand years Of peace which We're
to follow close on that consummation
should be on it's way. OF the six conti-
nents Christianity entirely dominates
four and is rapidly winning it's way in
the other two. Both North and South
America arc Christian in every part
The same is true of Australia and the
surrounding islands constituting Aus
halasia. All Europe follows the same
faith, with the single exception of the
southeastern ler belonging to Tur
key, and eNc.4 considerable part of
the Turkish e,.. ineiutilnS Armenia
Bulgaria anu o.lers of the Balkan
states. EVIL aces Christianity, while
Christian missions exist in Turkey.
In Africa, where the British govern
Egypt and all South Africa, while
France has virtual control of Morocco
and other European powers have colo
MES throughout the continent. the faith
Of the NaZarene has larger following
than any other religion.
Asia, teeming with it's vast Chinese
and Hindoo hordes, is practically the
only continent in which Christianity is
not the dominant faith. and even here
it has incalculable political and strate
gic advantages that are rapidly work
Ing transformation Siberia, occupy
ing nearly half of the entire continent
ls ruled by a Christian power. India,
on the SOUTH is under the control of
gradually winning their way Tibet
the stronghold Of Buddhism, is under
Russian influence and is being invaded
by England from India Palestine
Syria and Persia contain important
Christian missions, though as nations
they are still under Moslem control
The Boxer uprising was practically the
last gasp of the virulent opposition to
the advance of Christianity in China
The lesson received from Europe at
that time. the important concessions
granted in the chief ports To e." great
Christian powers. the invasion 81, Man
shuria, the introduction of the railroad
md the ever increasing numbers Of
missionaries. all of these things are
gradually working change in the Chi
1ese empire. Mission work is rapidly
Increasing in Korea Japan has bor-
rowed most Of her civilization FROM
Christian nations and is seriously dis
cussing the proposition Of adopting
their religion also The Philippines be-
long to America, and a considerable
portion has been Christianized
Christmas morn in the year of our
Lord 1905 will therefore have a mean
ing to more nations and more people
than any previous Christmas morn in
the history of mankind The fact that
this day will be celebrated by such
widely variant types and in such wide
y separated nations gives a powerful!
suggestion of unity in the human race.