‘Bellefonte, Po. Dec, 22, 1905.
P. GRAY M1 IEEK, - - -
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Onur God—Bles’'t America.
By the Rev. G. W. Mcllnay, pastor of the Metho-
dist church, Spring Mills.
No other festal occasion should have
deeper significance to any Christian people
than that of Christmas. Surely no people
‘have greater reason to enter upon the cele-
bration of Christmas tide with hearts more
truly grateful, than have we. When we
compare other nations of the world with
our own blessed America, and note the
great contrast which must be discerned,
falling to our advantage and comfort, we
ask why this difference? And the answer
to the question comes largely from the result
of the progress of the Christian religion.
. Jesus Christ is the result of the promise
of the Father, and through Him has come
to us the blessings of a Christianized
nation.
There could have heen no Christian land,
no Christian chureh, no Christian blessing,
no Christian life, no Christian hope beyond
the tomb without Jesus Christ. So Christ
became to us the seed from which the
harvest of blessing is being reaped ——the
main spring of all our joys and all our
comforts.
! No people under the shining sun should
be expected to be able to celebrate the great
anniversary— Christmas time—more intel-
ligently than can we, for upon us has
fallen the brightest beamings of the mid-
day splendor of the Son of Righteousness.
No nation whose heart is full of grati-
tude to God for the gift of His Son, can be
able to express that gratitude in any ex-
pression of lips or act of life, for our appre-
ciation of the ‘‘ gift of God’slove ’’ should
be inexpressible.
Our celebration of this gracious and
glorious event, when ‘‘ Peace on the earth
and good will to men ’’ was proclaimed by
angelic voices, should be in the spirit of
deep humility and yet with joy and glad-
ness, that we, even we, who are sinful and
vile, may participate in the joys resulting
from the coming of the ‘Prince of Peace.’
In the giving of gifts let us remember
supremely God’s greatest gift to men.
While we receive gifts from friends let us
open wide our hearts to our best friend—
Jesus the Lord—that we may receive Him
into our hearts and lives.
Far be it from any in this our own gospel
Jand that the spirit of desecration of this
great and blessed event should possess
them. Shame on any man who would
debase himself below that rank of a beast
when song of praise and acclamations of
gladness should fill his soul and find ex-
pression by his lips. God in Heaven, give
to us a spirit of appreciation of thy Son
such as we need !
Observance of Christmas Day.
By the Rev. A. C. Lathrop, pastor of the Baptist
church, Milesburg.
Christmas Day has become the most note-
worthy of the world’s bolidays. Its observ-
ance is more than national, it is world-
wide. It is the day of all days in the year
most fally planned for and most eagerly
awaited. A day of such moment and in-
terest onght to be observed in the best pos-
sible manner.
Christmas Day is set apart for the cele-
bration of the birthday of the most renown-
ed personage born on earth—Jesus Christ,
our Saviour. Hence the best observers
of this day honors first of all, Jesus Christ.
Here is its primal purpose. In Him its
observance centers, Of His birth and the
glad mission on which He came, we should
think, speak and sing.
Its best observance is obtained in right
giving. Itis the world’s great gift day.
It recalls God’s great gift of love to us.
Our giving is not to be prompted by a desire
to get return gifts, but by unselfish love.
, We ought especially to remember the poor
‘and see that not a child in aby home is
(without a ‘Christmas gift. Remember,
Christ’s ‘‘Inasmuch.’”’ In all our giving in
honor of Christ let us not forget that the
‘best and most acceptable gift to Him'is
‘that of ourselves, our love, our service.
The day is best observed when joy
reigns within and gladness fills our hearts.
It is to be a day of “Glad tidings of great
joy. ’? Birthday celebrations are joyous
jevents. We ought to seek to make every
heart thrill with the glad message of our
tlives and the living ministry of our image;
Christmas is best observed when,
'gathers around the hearthstone all -
‘members of the family. With daily toil
‘and cares, so far as possible, laid aside,
grand- parents; parents, children, strangers
and friends within thy gates, should to-
igether mingle in kindred and social fellow-
ship. The memory of these family Christ-
mas gatherings in the old farm homestead
‘along the Delaware are to the writer a very
‘precious heritage. The tendency of our
‘too elaborate and showy public Christmas
.exercises is to weaken the family character
jof Christmas day. Let us not allow the
influences of the Christmas observance to
tbe retarded. T.et it, so far as possibbe, be
the one day when, assembling together, the
whole family shall find joy in the delights
‘and joys each of the other and in the
blessed experiences of giving.
May this be the world’s best Christmas!
May it be the ‘‘best-observed’’ ih every
reader of this paper.
4
{
om —
The Duty of Love and Unselfishness.
By the Rev. H. I. Crow, pastor of the Reformed
church, Hublersburg.
Christmas should bring a message of love
to each one. The message of the angel is
yet being fulfilled. ‘‘Beheld, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to
all people.”” There was nothing selfish in
this message. The thought of others per-
vades it. Selfishness makes people un-
happy. He, who thinks only of self on
Christmas day, will be untbankfal and an-
grateful however numerous his gifts or the
expressions of love he receives. A feeling
of joy is always more desirable than one of
gloom and sadness. Man seeks the pleasures
of life. But how often wrong methods
are used in the pursuit of happiness.
Thoughts are turned inward rather shan
outward. Man needs to see the larger
world around bim. Self is a very small
part of the large world in which we live ;
but it is a very important part if held in
right relation to others. The child finds
pleasure in doing something useful. So
does the grown man or woman. The
greater the appreciation, the greater is the
incentive to do more and better. The field
of man’s activity is his own community
reaching outward to the circumference of
the earth. The *‘ zood tidings of great joy
shall be toall people. ”’
All people have part in bringing this
great joy to others. It isnot a question of
society, or caste, or position. The angels
brought the news to man although man in
tarn was to occupy a place higher than the
angels. If a kind word spoken or an effort
put forth helps some one to a position
higher than we occupy, it is a cause for
joy. Does not the Father rejoice in the
success of the son ; the teacher in the pupil;
and the mechanic in the apprentice ? These
achieve greater things than those who
taught them. Our homes, our schools, our
churches, our government, all the good
and the joy we receive from them, are ours
because others made them possible. They
were given to us without stint and without
selfishness. They are ours to enjoy and
improve that we may pass them on to fu-
ture generations better equipped for the
good they are intended to accomplish. Thus
we render *‘ Glory to God in the highest,
and promote ‘‘ Peace, and good will toward
men. ’
The best things in life are oftimes over-
looked in anticipation of greater things.
It we read the lessons of Christmas day
aright, we are impressed with the little
things which go to make up a joyous and
successful life. The Jews looked for some
great demonstration when Christ should
come on earth ; but He came as a little
child, in lowly birth. Many missed the
rich influence and power of His life, be-
cause they failed to see Him in every day
lite. The angel’s story was a simple one.
It led to a manger, not a throne. There
the shepherds saw the child and glorified
God. A right life, correct ways, mature
minds are not things of a day ; but of a
life time. Many little things enter into
the possession of them. Their acquisition,
furnishes the pleasures of life.
The Christmas message which is a mes-
sage of love, tells good news. It does not
maliciously tell what hurts, but what
causes to rejoice ; not what casts down,
but what lifts up. It is a lesson we can
learn to-day. As we love our friends, our
homes, our community and our country,
we will seek to gladden the hearts of those
we love and inspire all with a greater love
for God and men. How much good there
is round and about us that we can speak of
to fellow man. The good others do us, the
many gocd books we read, the rich experi-
| . .
ences in our own lives, may become the
message from above to those whose hearts
long for sympathy and love. They tell of
Him who loves us. By so doing we ‘‘ eat
the fat, and drink the sweet, and send por-
tions unto them for whom nothing is
prepared. *’
Christmas Day.
By the Rev. I. N Bair, pastor United Evangelic-
al church, Miltheim.
Again we approach another Christmas
Day. How grateful each and all should
be that God has seen fit to prolong life for
us so that we may bail with joy and glad-
ness the approach of another Christmas
Day. A day that should never be forgot-
ten but should ever be held sacred and
kept in memory of God’s gift to us. Oh it
is a great day! Great, when we remember
that it refers to the time when the angels
visited the earth with the grandest message
that was ever brought to man. The angel
said: ‘‘Behold I bring you good tidings of
great joy, which shall be to all people, for
unto you is born this day in the city of
David, a Saviour which is Christ the
Lord; and thus we have a Saviour.
Let ns remember to make it a day of joy
and gladness. As the Father remembered
us let us remember him and one another.
As he strove to make us happy let us
endeavor to make one another happy.
Little gifts, in love, from parents to chil-
dren and from children to parents, from
friend to friend, will cheer and sweeten
life for the present and future. Let it be
a happy day in the home. Children should
gather around the old home, forgetting the
sorrows of the past, live in the joys aud
privileges of the present and hopes of the
future.
What if the little children do think their
pretty toys and books come from old Santa
Claus!jLet them enjoy the gift as from the
unseen for they all come from him who ever
lives and makes intercession forus. Let
all do their: best to ‘make Christmas Day
the brightest and happiest day of all the
year. May it be a day devoted to others
with self left ont. And above all let us
not! forget that our lives should be devoted
to our Creator whose we are.’
ER ES ASAT
The Angel Message.
By the Rev. Frank Wetzel, pastor of the Reformed
chureh, Rebersburg.
The human heart is selfish. Because of
this selfishness, wars and rumors of wars,
persecution and suffering have arisen on
every hand. Oue is made to shudder at
the record of bloodshed, persecution and
wrong caused by this spirit of selfishvess.
How sweet, how comforting, therefore,is
the angel message as it comes to us’ from
out the spirit world through the shepherds
of Judea’s plains, as they annoannce the
birth of Jesus our Savionr!
Thus the angel speaks, ‘‘Be not afraid,
for behold I bring you good tidings of
great joy which shall be to all the people;
for there is born to you this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.”
Hear again the song of the multitude of
the heavenly host as they sing, ‘Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth pegee,
good will toward men.”’
This is truly a message of peace and love.
In it the angels from heaven tell us, not
that a Saviour shall come, but that a child
is born who is the Saviour; and who as such
brings to all men peace. He is the Prince
of Peace. As such, this child Jesus, whose
birth mankind commemorates at Cbristmas-
tide, bas brooght unto the selfish race of
man the spirit of peace.
This spirit has been felt and in a greater
or less degree realized wherever this angel
message has been preached by laying hold
of men’s hearts and moulding their lives.
This spirit is felt and realized in this, the
twentieth century,as never before." It has
made possible the spirit of forbearance and
mutual respect which is found among all
christian civilized nations. It made pos-
sible the peace compact of the Hague; also
the treaty of peace between Japan and
Russia was accomplished at a time when
two large armies stood face to face, both
well equipped for battle, both eager for
battle, neither by any means suobdued,
much less conquered, through this uncon-
querable spirit of peace, as expressed by
the large number of peace loving people of
every christian nation, moved by the spi rit
of the Christ chill.
For this spirit of peace President Roose-
velt became the acting agent, because the
United States as no other nation, stands
today for the principles of peace as inspired
by this child Jesus.
It made possible the large gathering of
ministers, representing thirty different de-
nominations of the church of Chris, which
met in the city of New York a few weeks
ago. Moved by the spirit of good will to-
ward men they, in the spirit of harmony
and love,considered matters of the highest
interests to all mankind.
These are the evidences of the hold this
spirit of peace as contained in the angel
message, has on man in church and State
in this the beginning of the twentieth cen-
tary.
Christmas is the world’s jubilee festival,
when it commemorates the entering of this
spirit of peace into the human race in the
person of Jesus, the son of the Virgin Mary,
whom the angel saysis ‘‘Christ the Lord.”’
Well may and truly does the human
heart unite with the multitude of the
heavenly host in praising God by singing,
‘‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men.’’
The Prince of Peace.
By the Rev. Ambrose M. Schmidt, pastor of St.
John’s Reformed church Bellefonte, Pa.
Was ever a Prince born midst surround-
ings more lovely! Was ever the birth of
the child of a King heralded by messengers
more holy! A manger cradle in Bethlehem
received the Prince of Glory. An angel
host, with glad alleluias, announced the
birth of the child of the King.
Unto the earth He comes, but the wide,
wide world is so fall of sin that it has no
room for the Holy child of God.. ‘‘Peace
on earth,’’ sang the angel choir. ‘‘Peace,
peace,’’ cried the nations of the earth, but
they knew no peace and rejected the
Prince of Peace. Prophecy had long fore-
told His coming. The place of His birth
was announced. His rule shall be univers-
al, declared Isaiah. ‘‘Of the increase of
His government and peace there shall be
no end.”
The voice of prophecy is hushed, the
fullness of time has come. The Prince of
Peace appears on earth to reign!
He comes to his own and his own re-
ceive Him not. A few watching shepherds
hear the messengers proclaim His birth and
intone His praises, A few sages from the
Orient behold His star in the East and
come to worship Him. A few years of lov-
ing ministry and He is rejected of men.
They crucify Him while He prays for their
forgiveness.
Time rolls on. The Kingdom of Peace
is established and the good tidings of peace
are proclaimed to the world. t
Once again, in spirit, we stand before
the manger-cradle. The Spirit of Peace
endures us, and with joy that cannot be re-
strained we break forth in chanting the
“’Gloria in Excelsis’’ of the angel choir.
Will the Christ-child come to our hearts,
in very truth, this Christmas-tide, or will
the pleasures and things of the world
crowd Him out of our hearts and our
homes?
Would you truly enjoy the Cisrisenss
season? Then go to some needy one and
in the name of the Christ-child, carry your
gifts of cheer and love. Go joyously, and
scatter the seeds of good cheer into the dark
places of the world. Thus and thus only
can we realize the blessedness of giving or
taste in small measure the joy of the
Christmas season. Thus and thus only
will the Christmas cheer abide in our
hearts and go with us during the year that
is near at hand.
i ——————————————————————————— ——————————— EE,
Centre County a Real Christmas Land.
By the Rev. ArMrew Carver, pastor of the Preshy-
terian charch, Milesburg.
As the time for celebrating the hirth of
our Lord draws near, past experience
makes me glad I reside in Centie county,
Pennsylvania.
Throughout our native land every place
bas its advantages. There is a difference
in comforts and customs of the people to
whom this Yule-vide brings happiness.
Oar New Eogiand neighbors have al-
readv hecome accustomed to winter’s cold
and snow, and can heartily enjoy out-of-
door exercises and amusements. Here in
the middle Atlantic States we are just get-
ting a vice start by Christmas. There is
freshoess and zest in skating, coasting, and
the merry jingle of the sleighbells that
sets all our hearts aglow as we wait for
Santa Claus and his famous reindeer.
He likes to linger in our county and find
his way to all our homes. = He sees thrift
and prosperity on every side and as he
notices our many schools and churches he
expects noble manhood and womanhood of
our growing generation of boys and girls.
He sees the many railroads traversing
the valieys and the hills furnishing pasture,
rich deposits of iron ore, limestone, brick-
clay, ete., and reflects,— ‘* This is a blessed
country, laborers receive fair wages and
there is a good market for all the products
and enongh rain to insure good crops every
vear. The excellent drainage helps to
purify the atmosphere and afford water-
power and wholesome drinking water
everywhere. Af this time of the year the
long evenings provide for social and mental
culture. So that those who wish it may
improve. Here is opportunity for the best
development of civilization.
But Santa Claus bas a long journey, as
he is wanted farther south and west.
Throughout the sunny south-land he
finds places of beauty and comfort, but he
also finds very many who bave fewer bless-
ings than we have. Bright. dear children
who have never heard a church bell or had
a chance to go to school, men and women
who can not earn more than a bare living.
How would you like to live where months
are spent without seeing one drop of rain,
where the streams are for much of the year
only a succession of mud-holes ?
Should this holy day on which onr Sav-
iour came to us in Jove and mercy be!
desecrated by laying aside self-restraint ?
As Santa Claus reaches far-north Alaska,
he loves to bear gifts to those who have left
eastern homes and at the call of love and
duty now suffer the privations of frontier
life.
Some live in sod-houses, one opening
serving for chimney, doorway and window.
Many are so far away from loved ones
that it takes months for letters to pass
back and forth.
Then let us who live here in Centre
county enjoy the coming Christmas, doing
all the good kind things we can.
“Love the Lord thy God and keep his charge
and his statutes, and his jodgments, and his
commandments, alway.’’—Deut. 11
We wish you all a Merry Christras.
I — |
Christmas Reflection.
By Wm. H. Long, Christian Scientist, Howard, Pa.
Ye can discern the face of the sky; het can ye
discern the signs of the times?—Matt. 1
When the wise men beheld eo “star in
the East, aud were willing to leave their
flocks, {( material beliets,) they were guid-
ed to where the young child (new born
idea of God) lay in a manger.
The child grew and waxed strong, and it
was found that his mission was to redeem
mortals from the bondage of sin, sickness
and death, through an understanding of
God, whom he said ‘To know aright (un-
derstand) was life eternal,’’and in the 16th
chapter of Mark’s gospel he says: ‘‘And
these signs shall follow all them that
believe.”
This star of Bethlehem has ever been
shining, ever guiding all who were willing
to leave their flocks (material beliefs )to the
Christ Truth, which heals and saves.
Through the gross materiality of this age,
For
the Bethlehem star was but faintly discern-
ed until Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy again
discovered it. The wise men are following
it humbly and meekly, and are finding the
healing Christ as they did of old.
How much the world is in need of this
saving, healing principle as taught by
Christ. If the text hook of Christian |
Science (Science and Health with key to
the Seriptures). were rightly stodied, all
contention and strife would disappear.
And why should ‘not 'inharmony cease
among Christians who profess to love and
obey God, when Paul so plainly states
that God is not the author of confusion.
If the sixth tenet as found in Science and
Health, namely: ‘‘We solemnly promise to |
strive, watch, and pray for that mind to
be in ws, which was also in Christ Jesus; to
love one another, and to be meek and mer-
ciful, just and pure,’” were lived all wars
wonld end, and all discords of the human
family would forever be settled.
In conclusion,I would like to ask, would
not this be a condition of thought worth
our working for here and now, instead of
waiting for and expecting only to be able
to reach such a condition of harmony when
we die; would Heaven then be afar off?
The Full Meaning of the Christmas
Celebration,
By the Rev. P. McArdle, priest of St. John’s Cath-
olic church, Bellefonte.
Af this season of the year, throughout
Centre county, on the hills and mountaing
in its beautiful and fertile valleys signs of
Christmas are in abundance.
“Lio! now is come our joyfulest feast,
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is dres’ t
And every post with holly.”
These words of a fine old poet are appli-
sable to every household in Centre county.
Jews:
our civil
of social cheer are eminently hefitting,’ pro-
vided we keep in mind the object they
point to, and of which they are the out-
come—Christmas!
“For Jesus Christ our Savionr
Was born upon this day,
To save us from Satan’s power
When we are gone astray. ,
O tidings of comfort and joy
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day.”
He saved us from where! For those who
ignore this reflection, Christmas is a mis-
nowmer; their celebration of it comes from
rovtine. It isa farce. At least, it is the
shell without the substance, the bark with-
out the tree, the body without the soul
Christmas has its full meaning for those
only who ponder on the spirit of the event
which it commemorates, who make it the
sole purport of their celebration ahd who
lead upright lives, based upon the great
ideal—the life of the Saviour, thus one day
to become partakers of the priceless re-
demption it dearly purchased for us. These
and these only can take up the pron of
the angels; ‘‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo,’’
“Glory be to God on high,” and chime in
with the shepherds ‘‘Venite adoremus.”
‘‘Come let's go over to Bethlehem and
adore:"’
“Grod an infant—born to-day!
Born to live to die for me!
Born my soul, adoring say,
Lord I live, I die for thee,
Hamble then but fearless rise;
See’th the manger where he’ lies.’
An Old Ma n’s Recollections of Christmas
who is
now seventy-seven years old and expresses
most cleverly in rhyme this pretty legend
of the Christmas season,
By Charles L. Streamer, of Philipsburg,
Tis well nigh three score years and ten,
When just a little hoy
Beside the wide, old chimney sat,
His face with radiant joy,
They told him Santa Claus would come
Sometime that winter night,
With presents for the children whom
He knew did what was right.
He gazed and thought how Santa could
Mount on that high, house roof,
And down that chimney find his way,
And what should be the proof
That Santa came—and no one say
They saw the kind old man ;
And how he knew which ones were good,
And what should be his plan
To visit all, make no mistake
In neither house, nor child,
And come through;piles of drifted snow,
The night both dark and wild.
The mother said, “My little boy
Hang up your stockings there
Beside the chimney, when he comes’
He’ll search them out with care,
He'll not forget you, rest assured,
So go to bed and sleep,
Though davk the night and wild the storm
He will his promise keep.”
How well I call to mind all that,
What confidence I had
In mother’s word, she farther said
“Today you were not bad.”
I soundly slept, I did not dream,
When lo! the morning light
With faintest rays shone through the room
Dispelling shades of nigbt,
At once I rose and scarce took time
To dress myself throughout,
And hast'ning where the stockings hung
I scarce restrained a shout
To see them full, I grasped them quick,
And on the floor sat down
Before the blazing chimney fire;
The happiest boy in town.
There was a ball, a knife, a top
A picture book, bran new,
A little watch, a jumping-jack
A poke of candy, too.
“I thank you Santa,”” Father sat
Near mother, looking wise,
And as I looked at them, I saw
The love light in their eyes.
An old man now recalls with joy
Those days of long ago,
His hairs are white, his eyes are dim,
His voice is soft and low ;
But still he loves when Chirisimas comes #
With Christmas tree and Santa Claus
To cheer his children’s homes.
A Christmas Message. 1905.
By the Rev. George Israel Browne, Rector of St.
John’s Episcopal Church, Bellefonte.
The Hymn which heralded to Shepherds
the advent of the Christ on the first Christ-
mas morn, proclaimed.
“Glory to God in the highest,
Andon earth peace to men
In whom he is well pleased.”
He himself declared in the village Syna-
gogue at Nazareth—the purpose of his
coming.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
He hath anointed me to preach the "Gospel to
. the poor, He hath sent me to et at liberty
them that are bruised.
* *
"Later in his blessed ministry he tells the
“‘If the Son shall make you free
then are ye free indeed.”
Ignoring at this time all the sweeter,
deeper, and more far reaching implications
of the Incarnation of the God-man, permit
*
‘me to press home upon my fellow Ameri-
cans of those who read this paper, the ques-
tions: What is freedom ? What is Liberty ?
Are we free? What is it, to be free ?
Yes, we partake of freedom more largely
‘than other nations, and yet in a deeper,
wider sense, ye are nol yet free! Even
liberties are not yes, nor ever
shall be'wholly free from insidious enmity
and disintegrating assault.
Freedom does not mean the absence of
law. That is anarchy, but the spirit of
obedience to the best laws which afford
channels of energy and life, and so evoke
all the nobler activities of our nature.
Law is useless unless behind it there is
good will, the spirit of right and justice
among tig people.
Freedom has its seat in the Beart, in the
possession of right ideals and a righteous
will which seeks to find issue in the broth-
erliness of men of good will.
It is not mere passive geniality, but
assertive,stirring determination that strives
for good in the world, and has clear vision
of what it desires; that is willing to strug-
gle, to serve and sacrifice, to gain an inch
anywhere; that is glad to speed to the aid
of a good cause, is not a selfish or indifferent
Christmas decorations and manifestations
spectator, but is fearlessly, frankly, cour-
ageously outspoken against all forms of
evil and shame and bhaseness.
American Democracy, as well as the im-
mortal heritage of our individual souls,
can only be securely upheld in so far as we
are not base slaves of low living and think-
ing and speaking, but joyous, glad, eager
servants and soldiers of the fair, the true and
the good.
We in this community need to lay His
law to heart that all selfish indifference
and shirking, all contented isolation from
the fellowship of the good in the world as
well as any overt deed which upholds or
extends the rule of the dishonest, untrue,
unlovely forces of life, is in its 1eal nature
and essence an attack upon the life of this
American Nation, as well as upon the
Kingdom of God’s dear Son.
Therefore, that man that sells or buys a
vote, or otherwise debauches the intent of
universal suffrage, the virgin innocence of
our liberty, or in any fashion adds the force
of his example and practice to the gambling
spirit of dishonesty and the rampant dis-
union of isolated and selfish private wil-
fullness in dealings with God or wan, is re-
tarding the advance of our country’s well
being ; is undermining the liberty of future
generations of Americans; is in fact a traitor
to the State whose very spirit is mutual-
ity ; an assassin of freedom in the soul
above.
There is no exception to this lJaw—-that we
must own, 2nthrove and obey some sover-
eign ruler, some silent king—over the
thoughts and intents of our hearts and
either the ule of the good or the rule of
the hase. Therefore are we not yet all
free.
The angels sang to the Shepherd : “Unto
you is born this day in the City of David a
Saviour, which is Christ,the Lord.”
The Children’s Friend.
By the Rev. Henry Schuyler, Pastor of the Presby-
terian church at Centre Hall, Pa.
Christmas is here;
Winds whistle shrill,
Livtle care we;
Little we fear
Weather without,
Sheltered about
The Mahogany tree.— Thackeray.
Does Christmas see any sorrow as it
dawns upon the earth with its merry, mer-
ry bells? Oh! yes; much of it, too mach
indeed! But still no one will dispute that
Christmas is the happiest day of the year.
On that day more people give and receive
joy than on any other; and the chief centre
of all the day’s rejoicing is found in child-
hood. So exclusively has the thought of
Christmas merry-making in some house-
holds dwelt with the children that in
some of them, from which the children
bave gone forth and in which there are no
grand-children to take their place, the day
has become common place, differing in no
respects from the other days of the year;
all in marked contiast to the bappy bustle
of former years in those same homes. This
is no doubt a mistake, but it illustrates
the large place children hold in the Holi-
day festivities.
The prominence given to children in the
Christmas joy is typical of the position
they have attained to in the civilization
permeated by the religion of Him whose
birth Xmas commemorates. It is so natur-
al for us to have and appreciate children
for their own sakes, their simplicity, their
innocence, their trustfulness, their helpless-
ness, that we do not realize that it was not
80 before Christ was born and is not so now
where his spirit does not prevail.
Mothers doubtless must always have had
some affection for their offspring, certainly
such as brutes bave for their young, but
otherwise before Christ children were val-
ued less for what they were than for what
they might become, soldiers of the State or
mothers of soldiers. Hence in some of the
most highly civilized States they did not
hesitate to destroy babes that had weak or
defective bodies, or to offer their children
in sacrifice to appease their angry deities.
All that is at an end when the spirit of
Christ is in the ascendant. Still,
*‘Man’s inhumanity to man
Makes countless. thousands mourn;’
bat that inhumanity is never more severe-
ly denounced and more quickly repelled
than when it lays its fiendish hands upon
the little men and women. Christian States
are coming to feel a special responsibility
for the care and guardianship of children,a
responsibility that does not hesitate to take
the parent’s place when the latter fails in
his love and duty. Children’s charities ap-
peal to indivi duals with greater force than
do any other; but space forbids the enum-
eration even of all the evidence that the
world never before sought as it does now
in Christian lands to make children happy,
keep them pure and innocent and free
from all that would injure and wrong them.
This is all due to Christ, the best friend the
children can possibly have.
THAT CHARITY BALL.—We desire to
again call ‘the attention of our readers to
the fact that the annual charity ball will
be held in the armory next Wednesday
evening, December 27th. Of course it is
generally known, or ‘at least should be,
that this ball is tor the benefit of the Belle-
fonte hospital, and that is one reason why
it should be well attended. On the other
hand, it al ways proves to be a most delight-
ful evening for all and this in itself should
be inducement enough for anyone to go.
There is no exclusiveness about it, as
everybody is invited, and yet the com-
mittee gives assurance that the best of
order and respectability willbe preserved.
The Stopper and Fisk orchestra, of Wil-
liamsport, has been engaged for the occasion
and this is assurance that there will be
good music, not only for the dancing bat
for the balf hour’s concert which will pre-
cede the grand march. Choice refreshments
will be served at 11 o’clock free of charge.
The price of admission will be but fifty
cents to one and all. Don’t fail to go.