The Carlisle independent., 1908-12-17

instincts of humanity. This holiday eclipses all other birthdays, as the sun makes the electric light to cast shadow. At this season large majority find delight in giving. It gives occasion for springs of human kindness and good will to flow. It challenges the charge that man is innately and consistently selfish. More, than is believed practice the truth that is more blessed to give than, to receive
 Christmas is the festival of children and women. Christ's conception of childhood and youth and his treat ment of women made it possible for them No commemorate his birthday with joy and gladness. At the out set of his career he foretold the reg nancy fof the cradle and the glory of the woman. Christmas celebrates the birthf of child to whom the world owes the progress of 1900 years, and whose work will endure so long as ea4 h shall continue and influence oth- eR Rorlds.
 NT NINETEEN centuries ago a peasant IT woman of Judea in a stable gave
 birth to a child destined to do the greatest possible work-to free all women from bondage and all children from slavery-the evils which dis graeed past ages. Jesus influence upon humanity as a child, a man. a teacher and as a Saviour, as one who put the eternal right of man above all established customs and precedents, is the greatest inheritance of the hu- man race. The king of the Jews has become the king of the world. A He brew mind with no racial bias is now ruling the nations. The spirit of the Christ most deeply moves modern life and thought. His name has passed over our institutions and his mind has penetrated into our social and domes- tic existence. The inspiration of true liberty and education, the benediction of the beautiful, the elevation of let ters, literature and morals are ascribed to him.
 HYIS influence upon the centuries is I'll as clearly marked as the cur
 rents of the Gulf Stream bring ing yerdure and beauty to inhospitable shores, light to those in darkness, and making the wilderness to blossom as the rose. Innumerable poems, dramas and songs have been developed through his teaching Art taxes itself fittingly to portray his life, architect ure struggles to build temples suitable for his worship. Universities, col leges, schools, and all systems of edu- cation attempt to realize his esti- mate of the dignity and worth of child hood. Government itself" said Glad stone, lis but the translation of the teachings of Jesus Christ into human laws and institutions" His thoughts and ideas toll like a giant for mans S progress. The single historic vine in Santa Barbara carried to California by priest has changed all the industries of that land, so Christ's ideas carry energies for civilizing worlds. AS the sun upon the horizion rolls forward, pouring forth warmth out of it's in visible urnS, so we perceive an atmos- phere of hope and joy has been poured over the continent out of the heart of Christ and those who loved him." The world celebrates at Christ mas the advent of this wonderful be- ing. It looks reverently upon the face of him, the feeble infant in the man.
 
 he gave so much.
 NHILDREN and Christmas are the V. factors of civilization. Edmund
 Burke defined civilization as "the spirit of a gentleman, and the spirit of religion in a life lived in the presence of man and God"
 The beauty, purity, humility, faith, helplessness and the promise of chil-