The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-27

from tie Father
lAsEQ2 RgSsEll1 Of Lights. in
$1,000 ;: - iTs5--7 whom is no varia.
bleness@ NOR shadow of turning"
DANES 1:17. He saId:Js .;iet'.
Christmas is a delightful season in
many respects. Admitting ythe claim
that it is tie date Of tie Anntincia!!
ton, and That our Iiltofd'.s birth wuys
nine monthS later, 10 OCTOBER, Il. mat;
tiers not. tits n deIighttpl:cpstom that
draws the Attention Of the underworld
toAthe BIRTH at Bethlehem. aud me-
morializes 20 men the ,great Gift, of
God on our behalf. We rejoice in 1t,
even though the Higher Critics have
wrought such destruction Of faith in
Christendom that to many the day
aud the events it commentaries have
lost their meaning. The custom Of Civ.
lug little tokens Of remembrance and
esteem is still blessing In the world.
TO the extent that we enter into 1t
heartily, we are exercising Il godlike
quality. God is the great Giver. from
whom cometh every good gift and ev-
cry perfect gift. Z
Some Of Gods Gifts.
Let us begin with some Of the COM
mon things that God bus given all
men richly to enjoy. How delightful
" adapted to our needs is the; air we
breathe! How 1t carries life and re-
frcshment to our lungs and to every
part Of our bodies! Think Of the great
boon Of water-refreShing. exhilarat-
Ing, absolutely necessity to our hab-
Its ana our life. Take the sunshine
and the golden grandeur in which it
clothes the, earti, and tue life. and
vigor which 1t imparts-not only to-
our bodies and minds, but to oil ma
tllre.
Even In the matter Of colors God is
gracious to us. The predominating
colors are well adapted to our sight,
and restfuI to the eye. The variegat.
ed colors Of the flowers brighten the
landscape, refreshing and pleasing us.
Not only so. but the infinite variety Of
these flowers III size and shape is won
derfuE. Even the storm clouds are
beautiful. The Creator. who gave us
tile organs uppreciative of shape.
beauty aud color, provided us alSC
qualification Of these senses. AddltiCY.
ally. He gave us the sense Of smell.
and then provided in all nature Won
derful varieties Of odors to crafty us
DO not all these gifts come from the
Father Of Mercies:
Time would full rs to examine these
common blessings which God has Civ.
en- all men richly to enioy-not only
Ills consecrated saints. but every crea
ture. We Gun readily see that q grand
provision was made for the race in its
original perfection. All, these, things
IRE blessing to mankind. notwith.
standing oursfallen condition. notwith.
standing onrsweaknessaG Oh A4hitieaddl
body which sbtndeH us from prqper'
conception, Appreciation and nee Of.
fthGSeP Whea we remember thqf tts
SICK lose theft appetite and faiein3 an
their powers of appreciation. and when
we remember that our entire race Is
sin-sick. we may well wonder how
much more Il perfect manYmiglit have
enjoyed the various blessings which
are still precious to us.
Richly to Enjoy.
God has given gifts. They are on
every hand. and may be richly enjoy
I'd or not richly enjoyed. But rs 1.-The
majority OF people swallow their food
without richly enjoying its flavor. so
the majority receive and use Gods
favOrs in a stupid. unappreciative man-
Ter, and do not richly enjoy-indeed
Rre unconscious of the blessings that
they have. Whit is the matter? The
reply of the bible is that they have
the wrong spirit, But where did they
get the wrong spirit: The Bible an
swerS that sin vItiateS every good
guilty Of mind and oftbody
"The world, through depravity.
through losing It's relationship with
God. bus IoSt the sense Of apprecia.
ton Of manyyof Gods gifts. AIankind
have them. ahd use them. but do not
enjoy them. consequently they are un-
happy. unhoIS unthankfnl. Alas. poor
world! 1t islushlng madIy hitherand
thither. seeking pleasure. seeking joy.
seeking happiness, but finding disrpn-
tent. disappointment,
Only one class II people are really
able to highly enjoy Heavens gifts,
These have pissed through certain
mental expertcnce which Is for them
transforming aII of Ilfe's affairs. They
have caught n glimpse Of the Almighty