The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-12-30

whom is no varla-
bleness nor shadow of turning. y
James 1:17.) He said
Christmas is a delightful season in
many respects. Admitting the claim
that 1t is the date of the Annuncia-
tion, and that our Lords birth was
nine months later, in October. it mat
tiers not. 1t is delightful custom that
draws the attention of the whole world
to the birth at Bethlehem. and me-
mOrializes to men the great Gift of
God on our behalf We rejoice in it,
even though the Higher Critics have
wrought such destruction of faith in
Christendom that to many the day
and the events it commentaries have
lost their meaning. The custom of CIV
ing little tokens of remembrance and
esteem is still blessing In the world.
To the extent that we enter into ii
heartily, we are exercising a godlike
quality. God is the great Giver. from
whom cometh every good gift and ev-
cry perfect gift.
Some of Gods Gifts.
Let US begin with some of the COM
mon things that God has given all
men richly to enjoy How delightful
ly adapted to our needs is the air we
breathe! How it carries life and re-
freshment to our lungs and to every
part of our bodies! Think of the great
boon Of water-refreshing, exhilarat-
ing, absolutely a necessity to our hab-
its and our life. Take the sunshine
snd the golden grandeur in which it
clothes the earth, and the life and
yigor which it imparts-not only to
our bodies and minds, but to all ma
tire.
Even in the matter of colors God is
gracious to US. The predominating
colors are well adapted to our sight,
and restful 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 in size and shape is won
derful. Even the storm clouds are
beautiful. The Creator, who gave us
the organs appreciative of shape.
beauty and color, provided us also
qualification of these senses. Addition
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 fail US to examine these
common blessings which God has Civ
en- all men richly to enjoy-not only
bis consecrated saints, but every crea-
ture. We can readily see that grand
provision was made for the race In its
original perfection. All these things
are blessings to mankind, notwith-
standing our fallen condition, notwith-
standing our weaknesses of mind and
body which hinder US from proper
conception. appreciation and use Of
these. When we remember that the
sick lose their appetite and fail in all
their powers of appreciation, and when
we reno Der that our entire race is
sin-sick, may well wonder how
much NOR : perfect man might 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
q ar not ri h. en- Dyed. But as TIA
majority of people swallow their food
. without richly enjoying its flavor, Sc
\ the majority receive and use Gods
jfavors in a stupid. unappreciative man.
fner, and do not richly enjoy-indeed
are unconscious Of the blessings that
Hthey have. What 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
quality of mind and of body.
The world. through depravity
through losing its relationship with
God. has lost the sense of apprecia
ton of many of Gods gifts. Mankind
have them. and use them. but do not
enjoy them. Consequently they are I'M
happy, unholy. unthankful. Alas, poor
world 1t is rushing madly hither and
thither, seeking pleasure. seeking joy
seeking happiness, but finding discon-
tent. disappointment
Only one class of people are really
able to highly enjoy Heavens gifts
These have passed through a certain
mental experience which Is for them
Transforming all of Iife's affairs They
have caught glimpse of the Almighty
Father, and have learned that all these
gifts and blessings of nature are of
His Wisdom and His bestowing. More
than this, before their eyes were open
ed to see deeply and clearly, their
hearts were regenerated. They had
given their hearts to the Lord and
He had given them new hearts. With
these new hearts. new minds, trans
formed wills, old things have become
new. They open their eyes upon the
world and the fulness thereof; and
recognizing the relationship between
these and the Heavenly Father, their
hearts are warmed and enlightened.
Tie spirit of love and appreciation is
shed abroad
Gods unspeakable Gift.
The Apostle exclaimed. Thanks be
unto God for His unspeakable Giftr'
He refers to the Gift of Gods dear
Son to be mans Redeemer-to pay the
price, the penalty, of sin-the death
penalty on our behalf. All, yesl that
is an unspeakable Gift, far beyond
anything that could be asked or
imagined. The death sentence passed
upon Adam by the Supreme Court of
the Universe could not be revoked,
and that sentence included all of his
rosterity; for We were flesh of his
flesh, bone of his bone If an I'M
blemished human life could be sub
stituted for his, the majesty of the
Divine Law could stand, and he and
all of his race might be granted a
fresh trial for life everlasting or
death everlasting But no such per-
feet man was in the world. And had
there been such a one, who knows that
he would have been willing TO sacrifice
his life for a race?
The will of the Redeemer was net
ignored. He was not sacrificed Or
the contrary, the Scriptures make very
clear that the Father presented His
Plan for the approval of the Son, and
attached to the proposition exceeding
great and precious promises, and that
the Son willingly and joyfully COOP
Grated in the Plan. As we read, For
the joy that was set before Him, He
endured the cross. despising the
shame, and is [now, as a rewardl set
zmuat the right hand of the Throne
naitipg the still further
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