448 
RURAL HOURS. 
witli which men trifle with the precious boon of peace, the -'ery 
sunshine of life ; perhaps there is no one folly which so generally, 
so frequentlj", and so lamentably .reminds us that we are indeed 
“ very far gone from original righteousness.” But, on this holy 
day, when we especially celebrate the Nati\dty of the Prince of 
Peace, the solemn import of that high event, the perfect meek- 
ness, the pure humility, the unfailing fountains of patience and 
charity revealed to us in His sacred character, are not so easily 
forgotten as at other times ; our cold hearts are touched, our im- 
patient spirits are calmed, our evil passions are lulled to pious 
quiet by the noble devotions of the day. Probably, of all those 
who on this festival gather in the places of Christian worship, 
there are none, unless it be the wholly blind and unbelieving, who 
leave the house of God without some touch of pure and healthful 
influences ; carrying with them, for a while at least, something 
more than usual of the liglit of Truth. Upon this holy day, 
there is indeed an increase of “ peace on earth those who love 
already, love more truly, with more of that “ pure and fervent 
affection ” enjoined by the Apostle ; friends draw nearer ; and 
even those Avho in the struggle of life have held themselves as 
enemies, look with a milder eye upon each other — they feel, per- 
haps some drop of better feeling, falling like oil on the stormy 
waves of evil passion. In short, on this day of blessing, the 
Christian meets no fellow-creature with absolute indifference, he 
parts from none with heartless carelessness. 
Merry Christmas ! Throughout Christendom, wherever the 
festival is observed — and there are now few communities where 
it is entirely forgotten — alms and deeds of charity to the poor 
and afflicted make a regular part of its services, proclaiming 
