The Alaska citizen., 1915-12-20

| \, one is constra ined to believe that the most sincere and inflexible Chris 1 tian
 Could not go so very far astray
 Even tho they should Oblations
 make,
 Tn adoration of some Regal Orb
 Of night or day"
 For, according to Christian Legend did not the very stars proclaim the advent of that Wonder Worker of Galilee, whose name and fame are graven upon the Rocks and Mon uments of Time" and whose spir- itual departure we are told shook the very foundations of the uni verse?
 Do they not tell us, (Matthew 2:9-lO) That a great star came they saw in the east came and stood over where the young child was?"
 Guke 2-13-14 "A resplendent angelic choir appeared, chanting an- thcms and praises to God?"
 Is it not closely akin to star wor- ship, indeed, when we entertain the marvellous and startling thought, that Celestial Choir on the | Fely " lHSo Ol llSul, swept tuTOuSl stellar space 10 herald the birth Of a Messiah; and that he chose as guide for those harbingers of peace a Royal unconquerable Sun"
 And what concept could excel this in poetic loveliness? What faith stripped of trivial pomp anl useless ceremony could possess fn due rabellious man? What creed could more surely imbue us with spirit of love and gentle consGnra- tion for our fellow beings than rev erent adoration for the Unconquer- able Sun?
 These questions are difficult of solution to the satisfaction of ea.n and every one.
 There Is, however, one truth that towers far above most others in these modern times-one positi ye conviction in which every optimistic soul may feel a thrill of harmony The human mind is slowly evolving the "Supern'an." Despitet the hid eous and fearsome cloud of strife that hovers above the earth today we are steadily climbing upv ard, and our Christmas anniversary must eventually embrace broader and higher ideals. both in spiritla'lty and mentality than 1t does at the present time
 There are those who believe thc Christian faith, whose secre1 Tes- tival we shall soon observe with un- obtrusve deeds of kindness, Is in state of healthful transition For one thing, the dignatares of this faith throughout the entire world must soon gain the moral courage to shake off the obsolete, enervat- ing, liberty-destroying belief that kings are divinely appointed of God They will scornfully refuse longer to sanction the oppression Of the plain people by some petty n,dg- ling who may boast title, but nothing more.
 The hope is steadily growing that our faith will evolve into the broad and generous religion of humanity, a religion founded upon rattcnalsl1, reason, and moral science. Poets, artists, musicians, scientists end philosophers will be its prophet teachers. The noblest literature ln the world will be it's divine book Love and labor its holy sacrament 1 And when that glorious morn shall dawn. instead of celebrating the natal day of one Saviour, We shall build shrine in the human heart for all who have suffered for man. kind. Then, and not till then, will every vista of life be aglow with hope. Then, and not till then, shall we learn and know our true place in the Universe. Then may we in- deed laugh at the unrealities and phantoms of superstition and fear.
 Our coming Christmas day will be full of memories of the past, but of greater portent to us; it will be prolific with prophecy for the future. And we should make sure rNt tH be found standing still, for there is nothing quite so dangerous as static condition when all the world is moving.
 We all need something to idealize and beautify our lives-lterature art. music and every other graceful study or occupation will often com pei from the most unpromising field the highest beauty and purest eleva- tion of mind. Did we but know how tN use it, We all possess the "Phil- osophers Stone" that can transmute the base metal of grief into the golden reality of joy. "Yes." ,ou say but where can be found the cruel ble?" Ah, the crucible, whe,a we may test the magic power of our wondrous gift, Is simply eyers field of human endeavor that offers an opportunity to uplft and refine-to exalt the intellectual and moral sta ture of humanity. Here all our ef forts are sure to be resolved into the most perfect oblatlon to ,nfinity.
 To those who cherish ideal: to those who strive daily their ideals to realize; to those who seek. speak and live the truth. not counting the cost, we gladly dedicate the con- ing Christmas Day, and the New Year.