The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-19
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

Unrest is the word that characterizes
our time. Unrest in India Unrest
in China" Unrest in Turkey "Un-
rest in Egypt, SO run the newspaper
headings. Yes, and there is unrest in
the United States and in Canada and
in Europe; and there is social unrest
among the millionaires and among the
unemployed, among the educated and
among the ignorant; everywhere there
is feVerish pursuit of the quiet heart.
1t is not to be found on Fifth avenue,
nor yet in simple communism; conn
mission is at work trying to find out
why the farmer has it not, and every
body knows that it is a treasure fire.
quently lacking from the palaces of the
very rich. Now at Christmas time we
find this dreadful condition confronting
us, even while the show windows are
full of peace notices. Come, now,
let us go now even unto Bethlehem and
see if there We may discover the secret
of rest.
Peace among men of good WILL was
the Christmas song which the angels
heard. There is no peace for the man
whose heart is not filed with the spirit
which Christmas represents. A deep
sense of brotherliness, and of love for
all the world are prerequisites to peace.
They who love as Jesus loved know his
peace which passeth knowledge.
Whatever heightens the joy of the
common people extends Christ's mis-
sion.
Every Christmas giver is himself
Christmas gift.
The king came in lowliness. The way
of earth is self-exaltation; the way of
Christ is self-abnegation. He emptied
himself, made himself of no reputation.
in order to show mankind that the old
way of selfish striving, of seeking first
of all ones own things, is a poor way
and does not lead to peace. He came
In utmost simplicity, as one of the com
mon people, to put his royal seal upon
the humble ways of life.
Whose eats his Christmas morsel
alone, misses having Christ for his
guest.
By life lived in contact with peo-
pie, so that he knew what was in man,
Jesus emphasized the dignity and worth
of common humanity. He had pas
sion for people. No aristocrat was he:
1t was the Pharisees. who We're a uni
verse removed from him in spirit, who
regarded the multitude as accursed.
Christ loved everyday folk. Most peo-
pie today are trying to show how diff
at pains to manifest his likeness with
the multitude. Is this not Christmas
teaching? Are we not chiefly in need
of the sense of our human brother
AOOd just " SET ClOS0 TO IOIhS, TO
feel our oneness with them, and TO
share our hearts and our substance
with them, is to enter into the reign of
Christmas.
Every life lived in obedience to
Christ's will is an extension of his
Kingdom.
All who sit at childhood's feet, draw
nigh unto Bethlehem.
The world has of late DAYS been
pointing its finger of scorn at a fam
ously wealthy man who has been re-
vealing a little of his business bio
graphy on the witness stand. The
story has been one of get. get, get.
without mercy or scruple. That is the
antipodes Of the Jesus way. This king
came to inaugurate a reign of service
He himself came, Not to be minister
ed unto, but to Minister" and he puts
the same spirit into the hearts of his
loyal followers. Not get, but give, is
the royal law. Today the world is
filled with a shining company of men
and women who are following in the
train of Jesus, and spending themselves,
as best they know how, in labor for the
welfare of their fellow men. Every
RED Cross Stamp" that appears on
Christmas letter is but an expression
of this spirit. So are all the thousands
of Christmas dinners that will be given
to the poor. So are the wide-reaching
ministrations of foreign missions. So
are the multitude of altruistic activi-
ties which, though they are not labeled