Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-12-19

lA Such days are the monu-
ments of mental and spiritual achieve
ment. the eternal reminders of the
only true progress-the progress that
enables us to perceive and admire the
moral sublime.
Conspicuously radiant among these
gala days Is the Christmas. standing
as II does for the nativity of One who,
all theological quibbllng aside, was TIE
living embodiment of the most beau
tiful and. at the same time, the most
helpful manhood that this world has
ever seen.
The one who is foremost in our
thoughts at this time was pre-eminent-
" hopeful. From the harp over
which he swept his hand there came
no pessImistic strain. no note of de-
spair.
He gave us the gospel. the "Glad
Tidlngs." To all his word was BE
not afraid" The Supreme in whose
embrace he ever rested, like the babe
in mothers arms, was supreme love.
Hence that other word of his, which
he was so fond of repeating to the
multitude, "Let not your hearts be
troubled"
Religion, so-called, is responsible
for a vast amount Of mental misery.
It has crazed many mind, broken
many a heart. driven countless thou
sands into the throes of despair. but
let II be remembered that the Beauti-
ful One who Is commemorated In the
Christmas season authorized no man.
or combination of men, to speak in
his name the word of gloom.
He who was born In Bethlehem, or
in Nazareth, for it makes no differ
ence where he first saw the light of
earth, grew up to be the most uncom-
promising optimist that ever walked
the ways of earth. Wherever he went,
along with him went gladness, and
from his radiant presence despair fed
as the darkness fees before the rising
sun.
He was like the wonderful river In
the sea, warming and encouraging all
that he touched. The Gulf Stream of
humanity, he put new life and cour-
age and Joy into the cheerless, sor-
rowing world to which he came.
And he was able to do this because
he was so gloriously hopeful, 80
stanchly committed to the belief In
the best.
Looking up, he saw, instead of the
"black, bottomless eyesocket," the liv-
ing. loving glance OF the Father. '
whose eternal goodness would never
do him harm.
Looking ahead, this man saw no
spOolks or bogies. no devils or fiends
In the way. The path was clear, and
over 1t hung no dark clouds of impend-
Ing disaster.
II Jesus had written a poem we
may be sure that 1t would have been
very similar to Whittier's:
1 know not where his Islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
only know / cannot drift
Beyond his love and care.
And SO beside the silent sea
/ wait the uufhed oar;
No harm can come from him to me.
On ocean or en- shore.
Now It is just this sort Of spirit
that every one should feel within the
soul at this Christmas time-the spirit
Of a brave trustfulness, Of a rock.
-ibbed confidence and hope.
Be not afraid of anything. To be
afraid Is to be a sham, a cringinq
menial. a nobody; while to be able ia
believe in the best and to trust that
10 matter what our evil genius may
mggest to the contrary, the ligh,
awaits us on ahead, is to be a hero
and a conqueror. a friend and helper
20 all mankind.
II is well, then, that in obedience
10 old custom we should throw about
the Christmas season the parti-coloret
Mantle or joy and wreathe 1t with tn,
hearts most exurberant gladness.
II would be shame not to be glad
md not to try to make everybod,
else glad, on Christmas dayi
On Christmas day to be a cynic an,