The Goderich Signal-Star, 1953-12-24, Page 7A
..r
an .Ito
-421
with Sants in wishing
it Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year to All.
er period
the:: shine
of goods
:eased by
value
used - by
1
CHRISTMAS DINNER
The teachers" of Goderich -Public
School field a Christmas dinner
recently in the school. Twenty-
eight teach-" were present. The
tables were fittingly decorated
through the' kindness of Miss
George.
After dinner, there was a draw
for gifts. A. quartette consisting
of Misses Videan and.. Brereton,
Messrs. Harris and McIntyre fav-
ored the guests with two carols.
"GREAT EXPIiCTATIONS"
A Christmas Meditation
(Ey Rev. D. W. ,Williams,
Victoria StreetUnited .Church)
Many have read with interest
thebook bearing the title
Expectations," written bCharles'
Dickens.:. ,It is a' title w ch' does
much ' more : than introduce, is book.
It is exciting in itself, kindling the
emotions audliving one a pleasant
feeling of optimism• that, there. is
'something "just around the
corner." °: "Great Expectations;"
What a sob ject for pre -Christmas
medtatlonsl
The birth of Christ was the .ful•
fitment of expectations held for
long centuries by,' the Jewish
people. Many of the 'prophetic
utterances of :.the Old Testament
are too applicable to. . events that
ultimately transpired, for us to fail
to see that many were looking
forward to the coming of such a
one As Jesus of Bethlehem proved
to be. Hear Micah: "But thou,
Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou
be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he
come forth unto me that is to be
ruler - in- Israel." ,Isaiah speaks of
the event as though it had already
happened; "For unto us a. child is
born, unto us a .son is given ... ,
and `` his mine 'Shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The ty
God,' The everlasting Father
Prince of 'Pease."
speak¢:'. '"And there shall come
forth a rod oatof the stein of
Jesse, and a Branch shall grow
Out of his 'roots:: And the '. s t,
of the lord shall rent upon 7.
It . is • not likely tint the t men •: of
old had a vision of the ,actual
countenance of Jesus, but they had
a deep ;conviction that the world
must have such a One for its guid-
once and salvation.. ,>
Hop.ful P.opio
What an insight 3�t gives us of
choice souls like Simeon and Anna
who were'waiting the consolation
of Ixrael," . •' and whose . eyes were
actually privileged to. behold the
Child of *promise. They were
hopeful -peer ith'a buoyant faith
that had little to warrant optimism
in those dark Roman days. These
were the people who were at hand
to give the rather meagre welcome
to the Christ when He came. In-
deed, only the people of "great
expectations" . did welcome_ . Him.
Wase men from the East ekpected
}Inn and 'brought to Him their
gifts. It is thought by many that
the shepherds who heard the angel
songs on the hillside were no com-
mon shepherds, but shepherds con-
' p and, con-
e . 'With k wo
therefore, familiar .with the. Mesh
stank 'hope.
Christmas • is ' still the time' -sof
great expectations. It ia, 'certain-
ly for' ttlb children who' await
with blight ;eyes the opening of
Christmas stockings, or the dis-
tribution of gifts from .a . tree.
Multitudes of adults share in ex-
pectations, 'of. ` the -same ; kind , of
gifts, a •neck tie, a fur eoat, anew'
car. But, there should be expecta-
tions of anotherkind; the expecta-
tion, of the fulfilnient of the pro-
mise inherent in the souring of the
Son of God into our human life.
It.. is 'the expectation :of the coming
of a new 'society of men governed
by love, of a'world guided into . a
'way of ..real , peace, of a people
convinced that God is with us
indeed. •-
If oar%„ faith is well founded that
Jesus• is the Son of God, then the
birth' of Christ was the most stu-
pendous event the world has ever
known. It has exactly- that sig•
nificance for us . Christians, and we
are filled and thrilled with a hope
of a world won at last to a way
of living in harmony with the
mind and will of God who made us
for Himself.
WISN6S
' A wealth ofhealth, happiness
and contentment are oar wishes for
*'all our friends and
aolfhhors on this most jeyoas holiday.
of Canadian Tire Corporation
;41 -
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF
Goderich Trottingand
Agricultural Association
BALANCE SHEET v
As at November 30, 1953
Assets -
Cash in. banks:
General account $ 1,312.51
Barnaccount 223.55 $ 1,536.06
3% Dominion of Canaria _bond 500.00
$ 2,036.06
Liabilities
Accounts payable .. $ 613.88
Surplus - 1,422.18
$ 2,036.06
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
For the eleven months ended November 30, 1953
Receipts
Cash in bank Decemb 1, 1952 $ 1,514.74.
Gate receipts - $ 6,473.10
Wagering privilege" 1,500.00
Entry fees r 1,443.05
Donations and' gifts . 1,253.93
Grandstand • ,, 675.53
Score cards .�- 440.28
Booth privileges 200.00
. Bond interest a • ' 22.50 12,008.39
Disbursements
-Purses" " - $ 8,450.00
`Wages, starters, ticket sellers, etc. ......., - 791.05
,Advertising and printing - 753.39
Hospital tax 665.93
.Banquet and other expenses 307.60
:Track maintenance- 248.54
'Transferred to Barn Account Funds 225.00
'Salaries 175.00
Coolers _ 132.00,
Association fees. ! 115.50
Miscellaneous 86.00
Repairs. and rixaintfenance--equipment . 83.00
Insurance • _ 65.30
.Telephone ', ,,' 51.75
Auditing 30.00.
Postage 16.90
';;;Bank charges and exchange......... .x,•,� 13.66
$ 13,523.13
St is our pleasure
once again to say Merry Christmas ,
to all our friends and neighbors.' -
$ 12,210.62
Cash in • bank November 36, 1953 1,312.51
$ 13,523.13
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
BARN ACCOUNT
For the eleven months ended November 30, 1953
Receipts
Rentals
• Donations
.$ 249.75
100.00
225.00
4.44
Transferred' from General, Account ,•
Telephone rentals •
- Disbursements ,,
Repairs and maintenance $
Light, power and water
Bank charges • ,
579.19
220.63.
131.05
F. SKELTON & SONS
May. this Holy Season
-bring to our many friends all
the'rkh blossinfs that will make
for happiness and joy through-
out the year.
t 1
IF CHRIST HAD NOT COME
•(By Rev. Howard E. Minaker,
Bethel Tabernacle)
A few 'years ago a striking
Christmas card was published with
the title "If Christ had not come,"
(ill% Lieut. J, Maya,Ilalvetlen Ar.y)
For God so loved the 'world, that
�ee gave mss . only be tea . Son,
tiistt wht oever believethin, Him
sbould'.not perish, bat' have ever-
heti e, : John 3:11).
mos eustorish differ widely
in lands where the coming `pp1 the
Christ Child is celebrated. They
vary according .to the nature of the
dent tragi on s'hii du vein by an*
clim-
atic conditions. •- . .
What. would be suitable amid the
sparkling frost and the driven
snow of the Arctic.ould be
strangely out of harm di 'ith the
shimmefing heat and the arid con-
ditions of the Torrid Zone. In
some lands the celebrants .are with-
in the warmth and protection of
home or church; in others, they
keep their Christmas in the open
air under conditions which the
folk in colder latitudes could.'envy.
Yet vary as they may in form, all
the world-wide ' Christmas festiv-
ities have these features -the Babe
of the Manger' is at the centre of
the story, and the celebrations
show -forth the spirit of happiness
and goodwill.
As we ponder again on the
course of the seasons and the com-
ing of Christmas we cannot help
but think upon the haunting evil°
that is in 'the world today -casting
shadows and whispering 'alarm.
The reason for this, I feel, Is that
Christ is taken out of Christmas,
but without Him there would have
been no Christmas Day - there
would have been no revelation of
God , in understandable human
hearts -there would have been no
living faith to encourage us each
new day. Without the sublime
truth of the Heavenly Babe, we
cannot have the saving truth of
the Divine Redeemer. But be-
cause Christ came these things are
possible. However, to obtain them,
we must' do as the Wise Men of old
-we must worship Him, we must
pay Him homage.
The Wise Men came that night,
to Bethlehem, but they were not.
the only ones who came there that
night. The simple shepherds also
came „to see and worship the Christ
Child.
The greatest men who walk the
earth can offer us today no greater
revelation -for He is Truth and
the Way. Though to knowledge
high and vast the human mind
may soar, every matt must come at
last unto the stable door.
Heremay we worship, recogniz-
ing in the simplicity of the Christ
Child the meaning of God's re
deeming love. Here may we bring
our. joys and sorrows; our joys
will be hallowed, our sorrows will
be lightened. Here may we re-
ceive strength for the days to
conSe.
When God gave the Lord Jesus
Christ. He gave us every blessing.
Young and old, rich and poor may
find in Him the blessings of for-
giveness, justification and eternal
life, without money and without
price and without religious observ-
ances. With the Apostle .Paul. we
can say: "Thanks be unto God for
His unspeakable gift."
Too many people today dwell
too high to worship Christ. Man's
ambition to climb 'to salvation
rather. than stoop to receive it, is
still a . vain thing.
It is true that Christians have a
simple faith -- we kneel at they
manger -weep .at the *cross -and
It was founded upon our Saviour's
words, "If I had not come...." St.
John 15:22. The card represented
a clergyman falling into a short
sleep in his study on Christmas
morning and dreaming of a world
into which Jesus had never come.
In his dream he found himself
looking thorugh his home, but
there were no little stockings hang-
ing from the bedsteads, no Christ-
mas bells, no Christmas trees or
sprigs of holly, no Christ to com-
fort, gladden and to save. He
went out into the street but there
was no church with its spire point-
ing to Heaven.
. He came back and sat down i►.
his study, but there was not a
single book about the Saviour.
A ring at the door -bell, and a
sad and sorrowing boy asked him
to visit his poor dying mother.
He hastened with the weeping
child and as he reached the home
he sat down . and said, "I have
something here that will comfort
you.".. He opened his Bible to look
for a familiar promise, but it
ended at Malachi and there was
no Gospel, and' no promise of hope
and Salvation, and he could only
bow his head and weep with them
in bitter despair.
Two days after he stood beside
her coffin and conducted tbe fun-
eral service, but there Was no
message of consolation, no word
of glorious resurrection, no open
heaven, but only "dust to • dust,
ashes to ashes," .and one long
eternal 'farewell. He realized at
length that '"He had not come,"
and burst into tears and bitter
weeping in his sorrowful dream.
Suddenly he"woke with a . start,
and a great shout of joy and praise
burst from his lips as he heard
the choir singing in his church
nearby:
O come all ye faithful
I Joyfully triumphant •
To Bethlehem hasten now with
glad accord,rejoice at the empty tomb, but let
us remember that, the simple Lo in a manger faith
Lies the King of Angels! - of a trusting disciple is not a mark
O Come let us adore Him, - of ignorance -it is not the .sim-
Christ the Lord. pl-icity of the credulous, but rather,
What a wonderful climax to he the faith of the experienced, the
able to awaken from such a dream testimony of one who has quit idle
and find. it .untrue. To 'realize a- speculation and found assurance
fresh that Christ has Comte, .that of salvation.
redemption from sin is His motive, - The coming of Christ was a
pardon His provision, resurrection
from death, His promise, and
eternal life His gift.
This minister would appreciate
more fully the significance of
Christ's coming to earth.
There is, however4a vast differ
ence between Christ's corning to
earth and His coming to you. One
is universal the other is personal,
One speaks of natural blessings,
the other speaks of spiritual
There were many in the days
of His life on earth who lived
within reach of His redemption
but- who died without hope of His
Salvation.
Like the consumers.of the loaves
and fishes they desired His 'bless-
ing as Material Provider but did
not-' accept Him as Saviour.
He is still the Rejected King to
the world and the Knocking Strang-
er to many individuals.
The King of Glory received in a
manger, the sinless Saviour cruci-
fied on a criminal's cross, the
Creator of the worlds knocking at
your heart's door for admission.
If you neglect to open your
heart's door to Him you are cry•
ing "No Room, put Him in the man -
gel). Iwill not have this Man to
reign .over me, let Him be cruci-
fied."
What a solemn and . eternity -de-
ciding choice lays before each one.
Joy to the , world
The Lord is come,
• Let earth receive her King,
Let every heart prepare Him room
Aid heaven and nature sing.
Hearts open to Christ is that
which makes heaven sing, I say
unto you, that likewise joy shall be
in heaven over one sinner that
ropenteth, more than over ninety
and 'nine just persons, which need
no repentance. St. Luke 15:7.
Yes, thank God, He has come'
What has His coming .• done for
You?
-Cash in bank, Noverebc 30, 1953
,1 579.19
H.. GOLDTHO"ltP , ' J. W. SHEARIiOWN,
-President. Treasurer
355.64
223.55
NAMED TO BOARD
Councillor C. M. Robertson will
represent Town Council on Alex-
andra Marine and General Hospit
al Board for 1954. Councillor
Robertson served on the board dur-
ing
ueto the past year, and although he
will 'not be a member -of next.year's
Town Council, '. he was appointed
by council at -its meeting last Fri•
day night and commended for his
work err the board.
Buckle John, attached to the
court of King ,Charles I was the
last of the royal jesters o'€ England.
May alLthe good cheer and joys or
this happy holiday season stay with you .end
your dear ones throughout the cooling year.
We have appreciated your patronage during the
past year and look forward to nerving you in 1954.
ail►''" -t' :"" �
EIBRE(KENRIDGE
HARDWARE - PLUMBING - HEATING
PHONE i35 tyUCER,CH
Divine interventiorr"'12Y'""!h'ttm'an• af-
fairs. It shattered established
ideas, broke through the frame-
work of history and brought us
the Divine gift, God's only be-
gotten Son to be our Saviour. He
came down to lift us up.
Let all who would be wise unto
salvation, put away all pride and
hardness of heart and kneel where
the Wise -Men knelt, at the Manger
of the Saviour of the world, and
then the message of the angels:
"Peace an earth, goodwill to men"
can be a reality in each heart at
this blessed Christmas Time.
s
n
;.5.
ve
r
This greeting goes to all our friends,
With a special note.of cheer ---
"We wish you joy on Christmas Day
and happiness throughout the year."
- We're thinking of you, all our friends,
&nd hoping that this nappy Christmas season
beings to you good cheer,
good health and good fellowship.
A Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year to All.
G0DERICH
MOTOII
Ford-Monkrch dealer