The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-12-12
Says willis ]. Abbott:

The great need of the world today Is that there
should be unity OF thought and endeavor among
nations strong enough to impress their eonvlc-
lions upon the whole world. and this need can only
be met If those convictions shall be of a nature
to bring good to mankind as a whole an not TO
advance selfish national interests.
Surely all men can join in this Christmas prayer
by Jean S. Milaer. Second Presbyterian church,
Indianapolis:
Our Father. as we bow before Thee IN this glad
season Of the year, in which the whole world does
honor to the day Of birth Of the Great Teacher Of
Men. We pray that the ears Of all mankind may
hear again as If upon the midnight stiffness, brood
ing over star-lit hills Of ancient Judea the song
of the angels who sang. and on earth peace. good
will toward meni"
Almost two the sand years have come and gone
since the echo OF those angel voices fell softly. like
falling snowhakes upon the ears OF a listening
world. And yet, 0 God. how. far We are from put
ting into terms OF concrete living the sweet and
tender beauty Of this ideal. good will toward
men" Teach s. we pray Thee, that within the
compass OF those few words there is comprehended
not only the essence of the Christian religion, but
of all that is true and noble and enduring in all
religions.
our world is torn and broken. 1t is filled with
hatreds. jealousies and sinister suspicious. Where
the red curse Of war has killed ard burned and
DESTROYED. o merciful God. bring peace. Where
famine and disease stalk in CHASTITY company with
the grim reaper. Death. o God, bring health and
life and plenty. Grant that nations may be more
and in the place OF selashness which has divided
the nations Of the earth give. o God, to all govern
ments and to all peoples that good will toward
each other which alone will unite and bring endur-
Ing peace.
The painters brush, the graver's tool and the
~sculptor's chisel have been busy with representa-
tions Of Jesus. But in all the world is there a
likeness of Him with any claim, however remote,
to authenticity? Read. then, this word picture Of
Jesus, attributed by tradition to Publius Lentulus,
said to have been a Roman centurion in Palestine
during His lifetime:
There has appeared in this, our day. a man OF
great virtue. named Jesus Christ, Who is yet living
amongst us. and with the Genties is accepted as
a prophet Of truth. but His own disciples call Him
the Son OF God. He raiseth the dead and cureth
all manner of diseases: a man Of stature somewhat
tan and comely. with a very reverend countenance;
such as the beholder may both love and fear: His
hair is OF the color Of a albert, full ripe. and plain
down to His ears, but from His ears downward
somewhat curled. and more orient OF color. waving
about His shoulders. In the midst Of His head
roeth a seam or partition Of hair. after the manner
~ the Nazarites: His forehead very smooth and
plafn; His face. nose ID mouth so framed as moth
ing can be reprehended; His beard somewhat thick,
agreeable to the hair OF His head for color. not OF
anv great length. but forked in the middle; OF an
innocent and mature COX His eye7 gray. clear and
quick
In reproving He Is terrible; in admonishing cour-
teous and fair spoken, pleasant In speech. amidst
gravity. It can not be remembered that any have
seen Him laugh. but many have seen Him weep.
In proportion Of body well shaped and straight
HIS hands and arms most beauteous 10 behold: in
Of singulsr virtue. eurpassing the children ofenen.