HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1924-12-18, Page 4eirqgs
5ood sheer
eettrigs ppr plate to the e sci , Or°ttten for Jhe thew
er9d feadeIA$ ort. the ` ler'gginen of Vdtnteuu arid
rr°orrnc lug ��kursekes.
Ment for peroomi gain, they, have
not laid it isp unused in a napkin, ox
wasted it in ,empty words they' have
sent it out into life: and lived it In
Service; and so the cheer still fills
their souls, and the love -light fades
not from their eyes.
That is Christmas sentiment :trans-
lated into loving service. Love' makes
all service holy; service makes all
love' immortal. Let us love; let lib
serve. So shall be brought to pass
the • prophesy of the angel message,
`;Peace on earth, good will among
ern:"
1< if I( if
By Rev:. B, Gaffney
St. Joseph's Church, Clinton
Ire a valley in Judea, where the boy
David once tended his father's flocks,
there: is today a' lonely crypt,.conse-
crated to the Holy Angels: This
sanctuary marks the spot over which
the heavens were opened to reveahto
.earth the, coining, of its Saviour.
Amid the eternal stillness of the
night, when the ' weary shepherds
guarded their flocks, and the stars
seemed wary sentinels over, all,an
angel came to earth. `, The humble'
men were seized with terror but this
vanished under the re -assuring. words
"Fear not, for behold T bring you
good 'tidings of great joy;. that shall
be to all' the people; for this day is'
born to you a Saviour, who is Christ
the Lord, in the . city of• David, and
this shall be a sign unto: you, you
shall` find the . infant wrapped in
swaddling" clothes, and laid he a
manger.''
Is it not fitting to recall this,seene
at this Christmas strason, Christmas
being the anniversary of the birth of
Christ?' .Bis -birth marks the divid-
ing line of all history; all history be-
fore and
efore':and since points to the, birth of
Christ. The thought of it had in-,
spired: that flow of prophetic poetry
whieh•forms the staple of the psalms
and canticles. ,Silently, like the dew
from heaven, Be came: first onearth'
us a guest of mankind on Christmas
night. Wraped in swaddling clothes,
He lay a 'tinybabe in the manger
ofthe stable, the only new-born
babe that night in Bethlehem who
abode in a manger. .
Angelic music was made_audibte to
human ears. The ,word was made
flesh and dwelt amongst, us," the
world possesses no greater truth than
this, It unites. Heaven and , earth,
God and man, in the person of Jesus.
The vrisdonr of the ,Christian cannot
fathom the depths of this mystery,
neither can the burning love of the
Christian adequately praise: the In-
ventions of compassion contained
therein. It is not God become angel,
this would already be infinite humil-
iation, who will measure the distance
front God to man?
Christ honored poverty in ills
birth,' 'The only person who could
have been born rich or poor, was born
poor,. Not in attending to selfish
ease andeomfor'ts, but,in renouncing
them is reran great, so fronr
his birth in the manger to His
death on the hard wood ;of the
cross, Christ took the lead in
tare renunciation of selfish ea,e and
comforts. In human estimation pov-
erty and obscurity are regarded as
signs of weakhess. Yet' the histnry
of the world shows how'effeetive was
the plan of • God, all fillet He took
front.e1s He tools that He might scan-
tify it in as. .
fChe' simple_ shepherds` ' shared Is-
rael's longing. It was their privilege
to -witness that 'event for which tare
Patriarchs sighed so -long and so ard-
ently.
Too seldom' in our lives do we feel
deep inovirrgs of joy that the world
is redeemed. It cannot be doubted
`that God rejoices at tlie'grateful;,,ite-
cognition by man of what. He has
Slone for man. •
Wecan carry on the spirit of
Christmas, which is the spirit of
ehristianity, > by making good the
prophesy as far as wa san, that there
may be peace on earth to' men of
good .will.
11
By Rev. A. A. Holmes
Wesley. Church, Clinton'
'We stand on the threshold of an-
other Christmastide. With good cheer
we hail the coming joyous season—it
never comes. a day too soon. How
many' pleasant memories of ."auld
lang syno" does it bring to m.ott el.
'use
;Dear Christmas time! ° So dear to
the little ones,' -1n each face of 'whom•
do we .not hove to trace a fair,: fain;
-image to the Christ -child of Betlile '
hem! ,With what rapturous' joy ;do l
the little folk look forward to Christ- t
Inas, the greatest festival of the year.
Every: _house flings : erten wide>ite
doors' -.to welcoino "Santa Claus"—d
.dear Old `Santa'', how we love hien
We sometimes' heal the growls of o
the pessimistic critic over .the waste e
fulness of Chxistrnas gifts, and the
irrationality of Cbristmas mirth
IIeed not the selfish critic, for he
does not noir ,'she keynote of the
aniveese is soy`: Christmas cheer is
time expressed:
"Joy to the world! the Lord is come
Let earth receive her acing;
Let every 'heart prepare Him coons,
' And heaven and nature :sing."
Joyous rational ' mirth is only a
stray echo of an eternal hymn o1; joy.
the wonderful star in the East, rad-
iantly beautiful! lir thought+. we ,Col-
loW the star ansa we come r;o Bethle-
hem, and there we find the meaning
of :Christmas, In the fulness of time
Christ came. The world had passed;
through stages of preparation for His
coming. 'It was possible for the Gos-
pel to run . and be glorified. A
joyous Christmas: to •Clinton! I wish"
the world a Merry Christmas—this
1924.
Rev. Ernest Parker
Baptist Church, Clinton
"She -brought forth her firstborn
son,• and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a n;anger, be-
causeethere;was no teemfor then in
the inn."—Luke2:7. .
The wonder of the steely connected
with the birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ is not so much the star in the
east which moved forward leading
'the' wise ;nen, or £heir,arrival after
long travel at the precise place,
where they 'found the infant babe,
and made their offerings_ of gold,
irankicense and myrrh, •nor is it the
angelic.. host with their '. 'song anC
message, heralding the birth of the
Saviour, Blit in the .fact that God
should love manen somuch that Ile gave
hisonly begotten son and that the
Son of God should have laid aside
His gloryand come in "the' likeness
of sinful Heels- and for sin, condemn-
ing sin in the flesh. (Ro. 8:3.)
The incidentsrelative to the birth
of Christ, the crowded inn, 'so there
was no room for thorn, the manger
cradle, His lowly entrance- into the
world; indicate the .deep humility of
His birth. It is this whieh we feel,
should bring a message on the eve of
another Cluistrpas day,
1. That -.none .but those., who are
truly humble, and utterly dependent
upon' ,our Lord Jesus: Ohrist will in-
herit eternal life. •
2. That nothing lint humility in
our life, and service, however worthy
otherwise, will be aeceptable'to our
Lord and Master.
3. That 'the true spirit of Christ in
the hearts of men, is only possible by.
His • absolute enthronement and the
willing mortification of self. -
The Christ -alas season is one of re-
joicings,' let us have that joy which
Patti speaks of when he said, "Res
joice in the Lord, and again I say,
rejoice."
1f 11 11 1f
By Capt. P, J. Clarke
Salvation, Array, Clinton
"Thou shalt dill His name Jesus, for
He shall save His people from thein
sins."—Matt. 1:21.
How fitting that the Saviour of the
world should be born in such humble
circumstances, so that His victories
should be seen to :be Divine and not
by human power, and sympathizing
with the poorest and meekest, Fie
could' be the Saviour of a11. •-
The words, of a song we used: to
sing at day .school are' very fitting
just -now:
"Many hundred years ago, thus to
save the dying,
"Christ became a little child, in a
manger lying
"No sweet bells to welcome Him, o'er
the hilltops sounded
"But the angels' holy song,"through
the night resounded."
.. At thion,
s time of the , year o
thoughts are turned to that scene in
Bethlehem, Bethlehem means "house
of bred," due to the fertility of the
adjacent,cern fields, It was the town
of Ruth and Boaz and called -the "City
of David," because it was his birth-
place. The field of the shepherds
was about a mile from the village.
"Thou shalt Ball His name. Jesus,"
The pions Jew considered every birth
a mystery, and the direct alt of God,
They desired a child's name to corres.
pond with his character.HO was to'be the "Son of the I3igh-
est,", what one word crystallized all
this? They were, howevegrrelievecl
of the responsibility of choice by the
angels' intimation.
•.Think of the appropriateness of the
place of, His birth. The mother of
Jesus lived iri^Nazareth of Galilee but
the prophet had foretold that the
Messiah should be boron in Bethlehem,the. City of David, (Micah 5:12), and
this was the only fitting place, for
He was the heir of David's Iiingdoin,
in whom should be fulfilled the prom -
ice ;in him, that his ; house and his
throne should be established forever,
(2 Sam. '7:10). Mark then, the wond-
rous providence of God which brought
Joseph and. Mary to Bethlehem
through the census or enrollment et
hecwhole R01114111Empire just at this
time and in such a way that each
liar; 'would be -enrolledl, not `in his
onicile, but' in the seat of his fain-
ly -or tribe. This was not the custom
f the Roman.' Empire but was. adopt -
d probably by Herod out of regard
for the feeling of the Jews.
The children of Israel had leaders,
rulers, prophets and ldngs to lead or
msirniet, but these failed to get them
to fully understand God's plan con -i
cerning them.
It seems to .rue as a l r r resort,
Jesus .arae, born in a manger, there-
fore .,we can sing "Joy to the world,
the Lord has come."
L; wonder how this Christmas W111
Ind us,? To many will'be a happy-
Christnras because the King of Glory
Was cone into their' heart, to ethers,
t Hill pass oft as I formal affair be-
In our mind's eye—that in's and eye,
Which sees eo much farther than the
outward eye—there gleams before 0, i
cause .they 1010W nothing of the peace
that Jesus alone can give.
I would say to those who do not
know Christ as their personal Sav-
iour, let the King of Glory come into
your heart and you will have, the
peace that the angels sang about
nearly 2,000.years •ago. '"Glory' to
God in. the highest, and on earth
peace and good will toward men." To
those who have _the' assurance that
Christ' is their King,' then -say in the
words` of the song, ' "Stand up for
Jesus the strife will not be long."
Let us pray, that this Christman
many will think about this "King of
Glory" and the: "Prince of Peace,"
and that it will be the "taming polos
in their lives.
A happy Christmas to all.
1111.1(n•
By Rev. W. R. Alp
Auburn Presbyterian Church
Long ago in the first Christmas-
tide there sounded forth the heavenly
meseage of peace and good will. It'
canoe from the' heart of God himself
and ;nen saw it made visible in One
who laid down' His life to prove. it
true: That song . of the angels has
gripped the hearts of men and women
as nothing ease has ever done. Slow-
ly but surely, it is ;being. brought'
home to men that this world cannot
do without Christ and -that only
through Him ears a way out of all our
distress. and ,perplexity; be found.
And yet that peace and goodwill for.
which Christ gave his • life strangely
lingers. We live in a broken world
that is still straggling to get on its
feet because not long ago men gave
way to wholesale hatred and i11 will:
There is; only too much evidence in
these modern days to show that men
do not :know the full' meaning of the
angel's song. 'Three. great enemies'
block the way to •peace and good will
between man 'and. ,man,, and which
above all else rob` a man of that peace
with God that'is the highest of; all.
They are selfishness, sin, and doubt,
or the failure to. take God at His
word. The angels' song will never.
be realized in all, its' fullness until
men in the power of Christ overcome:
these- great enemies of the soul.
"He that loseth his life for my sake
shall find it." In. these words so cons.
pietely illustrated in the life of Jesus
lies the whole secret of the Christmas
spirit and elle method by'which peace
and good will may become a: practical
and a visible reality.
4.1F 11 1i
By Rev. W. V. Walden •
Methodist Church, Holniesville
The charm of the Christmas time
lies in the fact that the world bows
in humble worship before the inangel ;
cradle in Bethlehem, and the angel's,
message and the song of the heavenly
host comes echoing and re-echoing
down through the ages, "Glory te, God
in the 'Highest .and on earth peace,
good will to men." We, too, are con-
strained to bow in humble adoration,
worship and consecration :before the
infant, son of God, frons whose pres-
ence emenates the influencebywhich
our souls are filled with joy and glad-
ness, peace and good will to men.
The' most unique personage in alt
the ages is the Saviour, and His' glad
.message ,of salvation comes as a
shining light, to illuminate, tor us
the •pathway' from earth to heaven
that e '"might eventually - enter
through the: gates,: into eternal light.
Our..wish:for all is, ,through faith. in
Jesus" Christ' and Isis abiding pres-
cues, a Merry Cluistrnas and a bright,
Prosperous and happy New Year.
1111411,
By Rev. John J. Durrant
`Methodist Church, Vaaria
Christmas, with its beautifnl assoc-.
iations and 'tender memories is very
near. . Fsoni1uies' separated for long
periods will gather once more around
the Christmas fire." It many homes
there will be the 'vacant: chair, re-
minding lonely'` ones of "the vanished
hand and the voice. that is `still." To
all of these will come the Christmas
message of love, joy and Reece trans-
forming. their .lives, 'with gladness:'
"Behold 1 -bring you good tidings of
great joy,- which shall be to all peo
ple, For unto you is, born .this day
in the city of David,' a Saviour, 'which
is Christ the Lord.
Jesus. is, God's best gifb to the
world;' the supreme revelation of the
F'ather's love; for: all His children.Let us not forget that it is the pees -
mice of Jesus,' in our hearts andhomes, that makes Christmas And
while we are, giving and deceiving,
gifts -let us remember that the best
gift we can give to God is our lives,
"I beseech you therefore brethren, by
the mercies of God, ` that ye present,
your• bodies a living socrifice, holy,
acceptable ;mite God which is your
reasonable service "
Christmas is preeminently the
children's day.'Oh, the gladness of
it! Oh, the mystery of 111 Jesus was
born a little, helpless babe in Bethle-
hem's manger: This is the supreme
miracle. Cods latest and most beau-'
tiful revelation of Hhnself to man,
and by Itis coming Ile has sanctified'
and glorified child life. "Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and
forbid diem not; for of such ;s the
Iungdom of Heaven."
May this, be to all your readers a
truly happy Christmas.
}3y Rev: W. R. '<Osborne
ethodist Church,.,.Lemlesboro
In "a cntrntry far away it 'used to
be the custom for mothers on Christ
-
'wag mornrn +nfp gaise iheir daughters
what was ct3l,'d a 04( el: B U.'
That was at1,010r0e 'ba11 of yarn'.
whrch.the ,re11,17.610:0/40';to Icuit•:into
or stoeJ jug+s As the hall was
' ly uriW tied as the knitting
quickly proceeded, gifts- wrapped in
paper .peeped o3.11 In the centre oC
the great ball was usually found the.
gift which the knitter- wanted nloyt'
Christmas is son,tething like that
"Wonder Bali:" - Slowly, througl , the
centuries humanity has been knittigg
it ante the fabric of life until the
Christmas season holds a place above
all others: As the years have sped
along the 'meaning's of Christmas
Day have been uncovered, 'low' many',
wonders,' have' been already found!
What joys, what surprises there have -
been as li'f'e has been lived in the light
of Christmas Day! 'Those who have
patience and faith to'livo and work in
the light of that day' find at its centre
the-bost Gift of all.' There they find
God's greatest, Gift: to humanity.
When they really find that Gift;they
Cannot but love the Giver'vvho loves,;
who forgives and Who still proclaims,
"peace on earth, good will towards
111111/1
By Rev. P. S. Banes
Methodist Church, Auburn
£`There :were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keep-
ing watch over their flocks by night,
and -lo; the angel of the Lord came
upon them and the glory of the Lord
shone round about then; and they
were sore afrid. And :the angel said
unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I" ;
bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be unto, all people for
unto you is born this day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is Christ'
the Lord."
And suddenly there was with the
angel• a multitude. of .;the Heavenly
host praising God, saying "Glory to
God in the highest and on earth,
peace, good will to men,"
"And the shepherds came with haste
and found Diary and Joseph and the
babe lying in a manger, And behold
there' came wise men from the Fast
to Jerusalem saying: 'Where is He
thatis, born King of, the Jews? for
we have seen His star in the East and
are come to worship. ITim.' "
"And lot the star which they:saw in
the: East went before thein to Beth-
lehem till it came 'and stood ever.
where the youngchild was. ' And
when they were come into the house
they saw the young child with Mary
His pother and fell down and wor-
shipped Him."
Here/ is an inestimable treasure-
Bethlehem's , bridge ;between heaven
and earth—which touches the soul of.
man, the assurance of the love of
God to every man, woman and child.
God's Christmas gift to us is the
right to daily and• perpetual fellow-
ship, a trusting' and delightful coni
panionship; with Him. This price-
less gift is ours, now and always—if
we will, receive Him into our hearts.
Is an electric lamp cheap because you
can buy a dozers at a bargain
counterfor the price of size
• High Quality Lamps ?
Experience tells: us that lamps which give efficient
lighting service and long -life are really the cheapest
lamps to. buy., Remember! The cost of lighting the
home is 'the cost of current plus the cost of Lamp
renewals.
I-IY,,DRO LAMPS
the. LONG LIFE LAMPS—combine efficiency and
long life in the most economical way possible and,
when in the final analysis the cost is considered,
Users of Hydro Lamps are better off in the long run
because renewals are reduced to a ininimunn.
Consider seriously the doubtful advantage of buying
so called Cheap Lamps because the price is low.
Hydro Lamps give most value for the money.
USE YOUR OWN 'UTILITY —esIT PAYS
7.'he Life Skory of a 8accessful Rian
At age 21 "'twas all the Estate he had:'
At age 30 he wisely increases his insur.
anee.
At age 40 he rinds the security of his
Estate unquestioned by bis Banker.
At
se 50 he has no fear of hardship for
himselforhis family.
At age foo his "listate," fully paid for, be-
' comes a substantial fund, earning diva,
elands.
There.is but one certain way of having.
an Estate, and that is through life insurance.
Canadian Government figures recently
compiled show that out of 107,109 persons
who died in one year; 100,031 left estates
of less than $10,000.' The vast majority
left nothing,
This fact, that 93% of persons at death.
leave practically nothing, makes clear the
necessity for Life Insurance.
Creating Your Estate
THE CANADA LIFE will guarantee to pro.,
vide at your death an Estate which is twenty or
thirty times greater than the amount of your
annual deposit with the Company. And; if you
live
Every dollar._of regular annual deposit will
Ibe returned at the • end of twenty years, and
substantial dividends willbe paid at intervals.
Our "Capital Return" Forney
1st. Deposits are made yearly. This is what you are'saving,
and at the end of 20 years the Canada Life guarantees the return •
of every dollar paid in. •
2nd. Your life is insured (rani the day you make the first
deposit—for $5,000; or whatever amount you decide.
3rd. Dividends are paid at stated intervals in addition to the
return of all deposits at the end of 20 years..-
4th. These dividends may be used to increase the summit
of your insurance, or be allowed' to accumulate at interest for
20 years.
5th. The cash value of Policy and Dividends represents a
valuable asset,. useful in business, and your "estate" is protected
by the insurance.
6th. At the end of Twenty Years you can draw out all you
have paid in, along with the accrued dividends—
. --or• -
you can draw a Special Cash Guarantee, together with''th
g e, Accu.
mulated Dividends, making a substantial sun;, and leave the $5,000 '
Policy fully paid for and continuing to earn Dividends a long.es
you live—
this` Special` Cash Guarantee may be applied to increase a $5,000 a9°
policy to mote than $7,,500.
e�
Ask for Particular 4,
s '�" �$.� 1 do
007,00,%11°l
o"g°y F°v"t yoa!
ssurance COI ny
GEO. Yi,• ELLIOTT
District Representative
CLINTON, ONT„