Year: 1873




This is the day fixed upon by those who know
nothing about it, as the anniversary oil the birth
of Christ. But it is accepted and observed as
such throughout the Christian world 1t is just as
well as if the date were positively known. III
properly done, it were we'll to observe the day,
even as an ordinary holiday, if no for no other
reason. There are many pleasant associations
connected with the day, coming down to us from
past centuries, that should be held IN memory
and observed for centuries to come. As prin-
cipIe, it is not well to encourage or perpetuate
superstition; but there are pleasant and harmless
supesrstitions connected with Christmas that it
would be sin to dispel. What, for instance, has
given more exquisite delight to the young, than
the myth called Santa Clausi-delight in antiei-
patton, and delight in the enjoyment of gifts sup
posed TO be of his bringing. Much of the novel
ty and most of the delight would vanish, were
it known that those toys and dainties were the
gifts of common mOrtals, and not of the always
expected and never seen Santa Claus Although
the pocket of the parent must submit to heavy
drafts to supply the novelties accredited to the
mysterious old friend of the little ones, it would
be an outrage upon childhood to do or say aught
that would shake itz belisf la a vsritahle sauta
Claus.


Larger people observe Christmas in different
ways. Nearly all hold it to be wrong to labor on
that holy day, but instead, spend it in the man.
ner they deem most appropriate. One would
suppose that these Observances should be of
nature to commemorate some characteristic,
teaching, or act of Christ. Is it always sol


Christ came to preach peace on earth, and good
will to man; and the wise men of the East
r. AIo
employ Chhristmas in promoting peace and good
will, and in dispensing friendly gifts, the true
observers of Christmas.


Christ on one occasion, turned water into wine;
but he was never drunk. Yet thousands set
apart Christmas as a day upon which to get
beastly drunk, disgracing the day and themselves.


Christ was not a brawler nor a frequenter of
dens of vice. Yet how many are there who spend
Christmas in dram shops, and in rOwdyism that
makes the day and night hideousf


Christ was a man of peace; yet many never
let Christmas pass without engaging in brutal
rows, and carry through the day black eyes and
bloody noses.


Christ was not gambler; yet Christmas is
favorite day for shooting matches, turkey rafies
and all manner Of games of chance, wherein some
lose and others gain, without any consideration
given or received.


Christ was not reveller, a glutton, nor
spendthrift; yet some Of the favorite Christmas
pastimes are low dances, lasting throughout the
night, where gluttOny and excess prevail, and
where the proceeds of hard days of labor are
squandered to minister to vice.


Christmas, properly observed holiday, is
well. But whether spent in any of the common
ways above indicated, or hundreds of other ways
that might be enumerated, we believe it would
be more acceptable to Christ, as becoming the
anniversary of His birth, if men would steadily
pursue their daily labor, earning food aud cloth
ing for their families, or the whercwith to pay
their honest debts.


But christmas comes but once year."


ibis is our Christmas sermon