Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-01-06

tfaslSlN N02sLkLJ In the morning OF
December 25th. 1t
was determined. however. that this ad-
iustment OF the calendar should work
no real loss; but that Sunday and
Christmas day should be observed as
one. Pastor Russell was called upon
for n sermon In the interest OF his I'M
mediate hearers and also for his world
wide congregation OF millions reached
through the public press. Responding,
the Pastor said:-
Ii il a new experience TO many OF US
this losing Of day for the rectinca-
ton OF the calendar. And set reflect
that. after all. many OF us have lost
many days each year In very similar
manner As we journeyed westward
we have kept setting our watches back
rapidly, and thus making our days
twenty-five hours long. until now we
have reached the reckoning period. and
must make good all those advanced
hours by striking ont one whole day.
so some oi us have heightened our
DAYS into nights and have iguratively
burned tile candle ut both ends. only
TO iiud that in The end there must be
Conversations. and that we really
have gained nothing over those who
have taken life moderately.
Some have done this In the pursuit
Of pleasure. others IN pursuit OF wealth.
others In pursuit OF honor. We admit
that extraordinary effort In any OF
these directions Is unwise. Only In
two ways could an enforced expendi-
lure Of lfe's energies he approved as
wise and iudicious. One or these
would be IN the service OF our God. the
other In The service OF fellow-men; and
n is not strange that in Divine provl-
dencc what might be termed over
cxertion ID these two directions IS
usually nnninjurious. and that there
are conversations of mental and spir-
iiual rest and refreshment. peace and
Joy obiainahie In no other way. from
no other quarter which the world can
neither give nor take away
Sunday and Christmas Shadows Of
Better Things 10 Come
Since we are obliged to lose sun
day. how fortunate we ARE in having
Christmas day instead. and thus TO
combine IN our experiences the two
DAYS which mean so much 10 us In
commemorative way and rs shadows
~ better things 10 come Hebrews
X. ~ The birth Of Iesus rs the Babe
Of bethlehem already links this day In
our minds with His birth from the
dead on the first day OF the week
And these two events, Inseparable In
their importance TO the Church and
the world. combine peculiarly before
our minds to-day
Christmas day reminds US OF the ne
cessiiy there was for II perfect man 10
give himself n the Ransomprice-the
corresponding price FOR the first
Adams trunSgrrsslon-- before reconcile
alton with the Father could be posi-
bile Hence. ~ the Scriptures portray.
the great Loqns the "first- born ~ ev-
ery creature iColpssians l. In hum
bled Himself laid aside His glory aud
dignity * "a spirit being ana took the
lower the human nature. in order that
He hy the grace % God. should taste
death for every man Hebrews II.
% Begotien - ihe Holy Spirit al the
time Of His conservation nj baptism.
IL was necessary thai lie should be
born Of the Spirit iu the resurrection
that He should become the First
fruits ~ thcm that slept the First
born among many brethren 'thc
First born frnm tile dead q CORN
thians Ky. 20. Romans will -; Colos
SLAMS 1. ISL
The Meaning Of Christmas.
Ms text for the occasion Is the mes
sage 81 the angels who announced the
savlors birth Glory 10 God 10 the
highest. aud on earth peace good win
toward men Luke %. a.
II IS essential thai the dignity the
glory. the nonOr Of our Omnip0tenl
Creator should be maintained and 70
is advantageous 10 the Interests Of an
His creatures 10 know ~ Ills great
ness. 70 appreciate His glory aud TO
render 10 Him the homage Ills glorious
character deserves 70 mas be asked
Why should the angels iay special
stress upou Divine glory and honor az
such q time: Had there been any re
nectlon araiast the Divine glory and
honorg We answer. Yes For more
than four Thousand years our earth