The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-12-23
THE PEOPLES FORUM.
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS.

firm foundation as that found in the
Lord. If we would rejoice in the bless
ings purchased by the Saviour, we
must be in Him, united to Him by faith,
renOuncing sin and all the false pleas
ures of the world.
This WILDE followed by willingness to
obey, love and glorify Him. If we rely
! on our own merits instead of trusting
in Christ and his atonement we shall
never enjoy peace of mind.
This season of the year emphasizes
the duty of cheerfuness and Joy. There
is no place for gloom now, nor at any
time, for the Christian the joyful spirit
may be cultivated. 1t is contagious.
The joyous person is always sought af-
ter. Nature smiles in the face of storms.
She covers her wounds and effaces all
traces of scars.
General Powell, of the Boy Scouts
said to them, "Smile all the time, in
pain, anger and anxiety. 1t is hard to
smile in the face of disappointments.
but it Is not impossible. 1t is hard to be
joyful when things go wrong. Gods
in the Heaven Ais right with the
world" Troubles will end, why grieve
while they are passing. Too many are
like Giant Despair" so soon as we
see the sun shine we fall into fit
The right kind of joy means peace of
mind, rest of soul, love for others, re-
sistance to the calls of pleasure and the
world, and it shows ITSELF in active
benevolence.
Why should we rejoice? 1t is the
Spring of activity-"A weary heart
tires in a mile" A cheerful christian is
an active one. 1t kills the taste for sin
full pleasures.
1t inc ceases the influence of your life.
Rejoice too, in what the event stands
( for. 1t means to US salvation, resurrec-
ton. victory, even our glorifcation.
But it means here, His presence as a
matter of personal experience, Rejoice
for our own sake. There is no virtue in
| AAiSioH~HOiS. Oui SlooIIl IldheS OIISTS
sad. Gloom makes towards of US and
one coward can demoralize a company.
1t is pleasing to the Lord, to see our joy.
Is it possible to rejoice. Certainly else
we would not have the command. Be-
sides it is provided by the spirit.
But our joy is to be in the Lord. Our
hopes for glory to come fills US with joy.
1t leads to gentleness and forbarance.
1t destroys selfishness; it causes US TO
love His appearing and to prepare for
it. 1t dispels anxious care; concentrates
our mind on the gladness of the pres
ence of the Master. We cast our care
on Him. 1t leads to prayer, sure in
dex of the love of God. 1t makes US
thankfulifo blessing. To see its mean.
ing look at the poor creature, down and
out-prodigal like feeding on husks-
hopeless, helpless and ready to give up.
But voice from the cross falls on his
dull ear, 81 am the way. Look unto me,
come unto me, and l will give you rest.
He hopes, he fears, he ventures, he is
reconciled; receives full pardon and
hearty welcome. Look at such scenes
in the light of theCross. What feeling do
they arouse? Sadness. gloom, discour-
agement? No, but joy, fitness of joy.
Christmas is the glad time of the year.
Joy naturally fills the heart.
Lonely wanderers turn their thoughts
to home and gifts 90 to absent ones.
Sometimes we almost grow weary of
Christmas for excessive gift making
among large circle of friends may be a
burden. We think of the children and
want to make them happy. We think of
the Christ child whose coming has ex-
allied childhood. With what longing
they look forward to the day that brings
them gifts. Even we older ones cherish
the gift because of the thought that
prompted it, and delight IN giving a
small gift prompted by love is more
than large one prompted by duty or
obligation. There Is no peace here to
give for the return they may get That
takes away the very object of Christ
mas.
1t is time for showing sympathy as
well as to come into closer touch with
friends. We should reach out to those
lacking but waiting for Christmas joys.
There will be JOY on this year in millions
Of homes where the little ones will not
hang the stockings by the fire place and
sad hearts will not look for Santa Claus
for the black pail of an awful sorrow
has fallen upon them.
/ The rider on the Red Horse is gallop.
ing through their land, and devastation
and poverty, sickness and untold mis-
cry are following.
They sit by the desolate fire side
weeping because loved ones will never
come again; or they shiver for lack of
the warmth of the old home that has
been destroyed by the ruthless hand Of
war. Peace on Earth has been forgot
ten by the nations engaged in this muir
derous courage. Christianity has been
debased in the eyes of the Pagan world,
our christian civilization has had set