446 
RURAL HOURS. 
But as if expressly to decide the question, we find in the 
prophet Hosea the Avord mirth directly applied to religious festi- 
vals. When rebuking the idolatry of the Jews, and proclaiming 
the punishments Avhich should in consequence fall upon them, the 
prophet, speaking in the name of the Almighty, declares that the 
land shall be deprived of her festivals : 
“ I Avill also cause all her mirth to cease ; her feast-days, her 
new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.” 
Here Ave have the A'ery AA'ord in dispute applied to the great 
religious festivals of the JeAvish Church. The learned theologians 
who translated the HebrcAV Scriptures, held it a fitting term in 
connection with festivals of divine appointment, and coming from 
the lips of an inspired prophet ; those hol}^ days are spoken of as 
a blessing, as the mirth of the land, Avhich the idolatrous tribes 
no longer deserA^ed, and of Avhich they Avere to be temporarily de- 
prived, as a punishment for their sins. After this passage, it were 
Averse than idle to cherish scruples against using the Avord in the 
same sense ourselves. Let us, then, Avith every return of the 
festival, gladly and heartily wish our neighbor, all felloAv-Chris- 
tians, the Avhole broad Avorld, a right “ Merry Christmas.” 
It is, in good sooth, klerry Christmas ! The day is bright with 
blessings ; all its hours are beaming Avith good and kindly feelings, 
Avith true and holy joys. Probably a fuller, purer incense of 
prayer and praise ascends from earth to HeaA-en, upon this great 
festival, than at other periods of the year. Thousands and ten 
thousands of knees are bowed in adoration, from the remotest 
coasts of heathen Asia, to the farthest isles of the sea ; thousands 
and ten thousands of voices ai'e raised among the rejoicing na- 
tions, repeating the sublime hymn first heard upon the halloAved 
