The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-12-23
The Christmas Spirit.

Surely can we not feel, in our
work, our play. our association with
one another, yea in our very hearts,
an effect of that great spiritual pow
er that was brought into the world
nineteen hundred years ago by the
One whose birth anniversary we are
making such large preparations to
celebrate? The glee of childish
voices. the merry laughing of boys
and girls, the cheerful greetings of
men and women, the loving words
OF father, mother, brother, sister, the
general feeling of good will that is
entertained even for the utter strang-
era thrilling, inspiring atmosphere
accomplishing us all-surely consti-
tute one effect of that great mess
age of love and forbearance given to
mankind by the Savior.
Whatever beliefs may be enter
tanned concerning Christianity
whether by those embracing other
faiths. the skeptics. or the MATERIAL
list. all are compelled to accept the
fact that Christianity has been IA
mighty power for good. a potent in
huence in the development of our
civilization. a great dynamic agency
that has enlightened. uplifted, in
spired and strengthened millions of
people from the time the Christ
gave It.
When the skeptic, or materialist,
takes a retrospective view of the
worlds civilization, notes the moral
and spiritual condition of mankind
at the time of Christ's birth, recalls
that the Nazarene was born prac-
ticslly unknown, in an obscure, un-
important spot of the Roman En-
pfre. and traces the growth and the
fruits of Christian love and teaching
from that time down through the
dark days of the Middle Ages,
through periods of strife. discord.
selfshness, corruption and wicked
ness, while empires rose and fell,
while tyranny and worldly power held
full sway, while man, nations, sup
erstitions, gods and creeds came and
passed away, or changed, while the
forces of good were overpowered by
lack of moral strength and spiritua
faith, when other religions We're COM
paratively inadequate, partially in
efficient-when he thus looks and
contemplates the marvellous, stipend
Gus. prodigious revolution that has
been wrought by the words of the
Master, whose birth we commemorate
on Christmas day, he can but
acknowledge that Christ and his
teachings have truly been OF great
benefit to the human race; and GER
tainly he can recognize strong ar
gument that Christ and his words
could not have been other than of
divine creation.
There ought to be Very few unbe-
levers and doubters of the benefcent
influence of Christianity We know
that it has done and is doing. Sure
~ is It not working, acting, moving
now at the time of a great Christian
festival? Is it not diffused among
the people, does not the spirit of the
season take hold and impress all In
the routine of daily life as we'll as IN
the Preside meditation or solemn re-
ligious Observance? This brthday
celebration has something about It
an almost indescribable influence,
a permeatinG consciousness of love
and charity that cannot be unnoticed
even by the most wretched. 1t seems
to reach right in and touch the heart.
If there are some who doubt and de-
spair let them endeavor to catch the
spirit, the Christmas spirit of peace
on earth, to all men good will. Let
the unhappy, the forlorn, the poor,
the i'll. the unfortunate, cast away