The Newtown bee., 1906-01-26

the manager scene, that we might feel, from to-day on, the actual pres ence among us of an actual lord now risen. At last we have come to pay homage to the new born king, at last through the Bible, through history, through literature, through lectures, pictures, through confession, knowledge strength and conviction, we have come to the manager; the star of the east has guided us aright, and now across the many years of turmoil we have come to touch our redeemer, to feel his very presence. He is a reality for he was man once; and this old earth with all it's treasure material, intellectual and spiritual keeps for us our gift in the new born Son of Mary, Son of Man, Son of God, our unspeakable hope of eternal life!
 In the same way our holiday reminds us of the past and links us to it. Now year after year, since the the second century, Christmas, or Christs mass, has been said in the old church, and like the undying fire in 8 Moslem mosque it has remained fact while many other things have changed. Again we hear the bell of the monas- tery of Christmas eve or of Christ mas morning long ago. Again the ACuloCNd1 Su0AU SO0OO OA4OA&u VAV narrow windows of the abbey and hooded monks do homage in penance to a suffering Saviour. Well might the silvery tones of those ancient Christmas bells arouse and gladden. the gloomy age. Curfew may have rung, fires were covered, streets de- serted and the land in slumber at sum- down, yet the midnight chimes of Christmas eve were heard in the vil- lage, and many an ear raised from the pillow hears the glad tidings of "peace on earth, goodwill to men," Those had been discouraging, nay, hopeless days had 1t not been for
 A aLIMMER OF LIGHT OF WHICH
 CHRISTMAS WAS THE SYMBOL.
 What darkness, what a poverty then of condition, of spirit, but what a dawning and what possibility from all the strife, seltiishness and misery. It was not for nought that the Christi mas bells were ringing. God was above and he had his plans for a sim laden world. Men fought and men lived like beasts, yet and yet still a child had been born in Beth- lehem and that as leaven, (murmur- ed at morning mass in Latin or rung out over the iand), was destined to | lCdtSu UuO "uOlO 1uups u was uOV 1Ok nought that the Christ had been born across the seas, that he grew to man. hood and that his whole life, so large and so wholesome, had come down to later ages. Let 1t be, that men were ignorant and coarse, unmindful of the great gift so freely offered. Let it be. that in spite of message of Peace on earth, good will to men, slavery and warfare continued, the message was not forgotten though spoken in dull ears. It came down to us, more ready, more able to appreciate it's signiti- canoe. There were messages given to the Israelites in the days of the Patri- arch: given to be spurned, for the Jews continued to live in the old, old way. There were messages given to the world thro' Christ himself: given to be rejected, for Christ himself was oppos- ed and finally killed, and the historic church, grown corrupt, continued by way of bea autiful ceremonies to hand down to succeeding generations these messages which more and more the Christian world of to-day, enlightened, reformed and convinced, accepts and incorporates.
 CHRIsTMASTIDE MAY WELL BE SEA
 SON OF CHEER
 for it's whole atmosphere is one of comfort and hope; it may we'll be a season of giving, for to man was given long ago life whose influence makes constantly for improvement. He has leavened the whole lump; he has brought peace for turmoil; he has led from darkness to a Modern age; he is great gift of eternal life. l wonder now many did not breathe freer air in the days of oppression when Christmas was at hand. How many did not have more