With much regret we are compelled to say that Christmas, 1896, brings scant joy to the children of mankind, measured by the usual ebullition of merrymaking and giving of presents—because, by misgovernment they have poverty and distress as their portion to such an extent that millions of voices, hitherto joyous on this occasion, will now be subdued or silent. But if this subjection or absence of animal spirits shall serve to bring mankind nearer and into closer communion with the Source of All Life, to a more intimate understanding of Man as the image and likeness of God, then truly will the sadness of a disheartened people be turned into an inheritance of untold wealth. And why should it not be thus? The day commemorates the divine, not the earthly and imperfect; it celebrates the establishment of Love which is Life, the Harmony which is Heaven, in the place of, and to the destruction of sin and death with all the erring children of men who will follow faithfully in The way He trod. Nearing the end of the 19th century, with less means for material enjoyment, may be the open doorway through which to pass to a higher spiritual understanding and enjoyment, a realization of the heavenly mission which gave birth to Jesus 1897 years ago. That this may be so, and that Christmas, 1896, shall bring into accord and harmony, unison and sweet melody the grand organ of the spheres, filling the waste places with music, bringing comfort and sweet peace to the sick and weary, repentance and renewal to distorted and sinful humanity, should be the prayer of each humble seeker for Good; and such is the earnest, heartfelt prayer and greeting of the Watchman for all its readers. May this truly be a happy Christ-mass, happy in the light of Love. Joyous in the realization of a true knowledge of Life. Peaceful in the contented consciousness that the Divine promise is HERE and NOW.—Western Watchman, Eureka, Col.
There are ten things for which no one has ever yet been sorry. These are: For doing good to all, for speaking evil to none, for hearing before judging, for thinking before speaking, for holding an angry tongue, for being kind to the distressed, for asking pardon for all wrongs, for being patient toward everybody, for stopping the ears to a talebearer, for disbelieving most of the ill reports.—Philadelphia Telegraph.
