Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1913-12-26

IHNNk Prince of Peace, the ideal
IU(W of universal brotherhood.
,Et Wars may occur from
NJ, time to time and nations
CESXE1 continue to arm them
l&I7s selves, but steadily the
thought develops in the
s-''i.a-'s - minds OF men throughout
the range of civilization that fight
ing is a wasteful, senseless, incon-
elusive method Of adjusting differ
ences, and that righteousness and
justice can be maintained by other
means.
Over nineteen hundred years have
passed since Christ was born, bring
ing the message Of peace on earth
and good will to men. Before his
time the world knew no such doc
trine. There was the law of might,
and might prevailed. There were
rights. but rights were dependent up
on the strength of arms and often suf-
fered. The strong arm governed in
the affairs Of men. The doctrine that
Christ preached was one of enlighten-
ment, an appeal to the reason, ad.
dressed to the higher self Of man.
That Christianity spread so rapidly
after the first struggling start is
proof that men were eager for such
a teaching. and that they longed for
the opportunity to live their lives
placidly and honestly in spirit OF
brotherhood.
Those who are discouraged by the
occasional outbreaks of strife between
nations should take comfort in the
thought that there is a steadily in
creasing sentiment for pacific adjust
ments, that the essential spirit OF
Christianity is at work throughout
the world to bring men into more
reasonable relations, and that in the
international as well as the private
conditions of life the doctrines that
were first preached in Judea nineteen
hundred years ago are becoming
steadily more dominant.
Christmas day naturally causes 9
reflection upon the state Of humanity
as affected by the teachings Of hin
whose birth is celebrated. Men are
unquestionably kinder and more
thoughtful toward one another nov
than ever before. There Is NOR,
charity in the world, and more jus
tice, and more earnest disposition t.
bring humanity up to higher level
There Is more widespread education
as a result of this spirit OF helpful
ness, and there is less suffering
Men are devoting themselves ant
their lives to the study Of the needs
Of the less fortunate and to tn,
amelioration of their condition. II
all lands practical Christianity 4
working to the end literally of bring
ing peace on earth and good will t,
men.
The observances Of Christmas ar
mere tokens Of the essential spirit o
the day, which is more than the mer
twenty.four hours of this partlcula
calendar time, and extends through
out the year. No matter how elabol
ate or costly the gifts that are e1
changed, how beautiful and impre'
sive the services in the churches
how extensive the decorations, Chris
mas is no more sincerely commemC
rated than by him who on this da
pauses to remember what 1t mean,
who pays tribute in his soul to tn
glorious example of Chrlst's life an
resolves to conduct his own as nearl
as possible in imitation of 1t. It
the personal Christmas celebrate
that counts, the individual effort
apply to everyday life that which u
derlies the occasion, that which bega
at Bethlehem over nineteen centuri,
obO' a 2. ....u -. ..s.,AI 4 4 H..