Year: 1877

With rcvcrential thanks TO the Ruler
OF all things do | take up my pen to ex.
press my thoughts as they go out to the
little band that is left on earth to enjoy
the Christmas blessings of this new cen.
tennial year in our country's history
Thanks that | am allowed to address
thee on the anniversary of so momcn.
tous a day in the history of the world
at large. On day when joy and
gladncss have ever seemed the purpose
of assembled friends and relatives, who
at Christmas strovc to cast all care aside
and look but to the present enjoyment.
Many and many time have myself and
friends at my and their own fire-sidcs
and fcstive-boards, with our children
and relatives, in joy and gladncss, feel
ing no apprehension of the future, but
using, as best we could, the moments
given us in such manner as to produce
the greatest share of harmony and love.
intuitively perceiving, although not ac-
tually demonstrated to us, that our rem
iniscenccs through eternity would be
green and fresh as bcautious gems OF
thought, in after life.


And thus we view these scenes of the
present and the past, often dwell on
them in fond delight, that those we low
Cd on earth and in heaven can still ell
joy the same. In all things pertaining
to our life on earth the same undying
interest continues, and will, throughout
the endless cycles of years. No forget
fulness of all that is good, but an entire
oblivion of all that seems to us as sill
ful. TO the few associates that are still
behind, think you that earthly scenes of
benevolent and yirtuous practice can
ever be forgotten? Oh, no! Methinks
| hear the good angels whisper: "In
heaven they are as valued gems laid up
in store to decorate the brOws of those
who have earned thcm-treasure i'm
perishable and valued above ALL"


| feel more like addressing those few
who are still allowed to dwell among
lis on earth, that have shared together
or in sympathy the many blessings and
sorrows of near threescore years and
ten. Born when we were born into the
sphere of earth, only about one in every
two hundred still remain to tell the tale
of past experiences. We visit the
scenes of our childhood and look
around to find that few, if any, living
there to repeat the tales of youth. For-
getting the past, let us advert to the
condition of the present hour. Sur
rounded with friends innumerable-a
happy thought-if not of earth super
abundance, but look above where your
steps are tending. Host upon host wilt
thou find whose love thou'lt realize as
sterling. genuine love, unalloyed by
prejudice or aught Objectionable, not
transient, but, continuous through the
stages of ETHEREAL life, will be admins
tered in bounteous measure, but suited
TO the capacity given thee to enjoy it.
Thou wilt not tire with aspirations be-
fore thou art fitted to receive and enjoy
them. And herein lies the beauty of
that heavenly condition. The sweet
contentment thus engendercd makes
the meanest cottage a much happier
home, even in Christmas holidays, than
palatial mansions. howc'cr grand So
let all your thoughts be conferred there,
for there your lost treasures lie. We
have nearly done with earthly gifts,
loaned only to lis for use, nothing here
is ours, however worldly we may feel.
All these good gifts are handed down
from generation TO generation, howc'cr
much or little we may appreciate them.
Let our aspirations all tend toward a
HtLurc and in",-s ti.~ ucuu past hnL:..d.


My old friends, another Christmas is
passing. Enjoy it, VIC would say, as if
1t were your last. And yet another
may be ours. Let not the loss of earth
ly existence trouble thee. Thy mind
should look beyond it. Let time. alone
accomplish the end. Let us strive to
establish a government OH earth as it is
in heaven, where universal peace and
harmony Is the basis, that will stand
immovabc as the rock of ages.


:. W. j.


Shepherd Home. Vt.