Evening journal., 1908-12-24
Thursday, December "a, 1908
TIE REAL MESSAGE.
ND the Light shineth in darkness, and the
darkness comprehended it not

ddlkneSs cOmprehendcd It not.
Summed up in these words in the Introductory
of that most beautiful of all gospels. is the
Christmas message-a message as grand and
sublime as potent, gentle, as appropriate to-
day as it was when it was first delivered cen
turtles ago 70 that little band in the far East Re-
lgious forms may change creeds may alter, theo-
logians may dispute upon this point or upon
that, foolish persons may say that religion is lv
ing out, that men are not any better to-day than
ever but the persistence of the Christmas spirit
and the broad application of the Christmas teach.
ings are the best answers to their assertions
To the devout Christian the day is the one
day OF the year IN that 1t represents the corner
stone of his faith. his rock, his hope To him it
is solemn as well as joyous day. paradoNical
as this may be. II calls TO his mind his duties
and his responsibilities IL causes him TO review
the past and to peer into the future. 1t is the
birthday of faith that has extended its influence
TO the uttermost parts of the earth To the man
who is not so devout, Christmas day brings its
message which finds expression in the good deeds
done, in charity and in gifts-in the charity of
both words and deeds
The world glows with the brightness Of the
Light The Christmas Light shines brighter and
qiffuSes its rays further than ever. The world
ihoves forward not backward. Step BY step we
are reaching the higher plane The world is
trying to comprehend that Light
VIC arc drawing nearer to it, feeling its gentle
warmth, realizing that the perfect comprehension
Il
Peace on Earth and good will towards men,
From that Light proceeds the brightness en-
bodied in the law of love, in the gospel of ten
dcrness, the gospel of charity, the precepts of
The sermon ON the mount-all making for the
cnobling of man.
True it is that many of us because of the per-
versity of human nature because of the mys-
terry of evil sec in our everyday life that Light
but dimly
That Light is obscured to men who acoumu-
late great riches without thought or care for their
fellowman. The mammon worshipers, the ma
terialists, see it not.
That Light is a snuffed candle TO the persecu-
tors OF their ellowman-persecuted because OF
differences of opinion, even in religious matters
That Light is utter darkness to those who live
seltishly, giving no heed to their fellows, caring
for nothing save their own pleasures.
That Light is beyond comprehension to those
who never think Of how man may be helped and
advanced how economic conditions can be bet
tered. how this world may be made better world.
For that Light shines to brighten this world as
we'll as to illuminate the world TO come.
The world is slowly but surely comprehending
the larger meaning of that Light Its benehcent
rays that have radiatcd down through the long
centuries are finally penetrating the hearts of
men and influencing nations. And when Peace
and Good VIII reign upon earth, when wars shall
have been abolished, when the life of man shall
be according to the precepts of the Golden Rule,
that Light will have at least been partly compre-
hended. Hastei. the day.