Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 140, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1904 — THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON.

ARVELOUS is the influence by which the Cbristmaa spirit moves the hearts of men to joyful and generous impulses. It seems aa if in this era of the year an unseen angel touches the invisible spring of an unused door in normal human nature and fills them with song and sunshine. What a world of generous endeavor and what a summertime of happiness is awhirl around us! Those whom Providence has prospered are busy with their loving devices to make home happy, to crown the waning year with goodness, to reward fidelity, patience and love, to reap the joys that flock into the Christmas season like homing doves from a far circling flight. None would deny them all the riches of such experience, but. let us not forget the larger and holier signifi-

cance of this season whose glory is the advent of Him who came to minister to the poor and the sick and the downcast, and not to be feted and filled with costly gifts, - _ Ho came to serve and not to pamper Himself. He came to bless those to whom “blessing” was the strhnge name of an unknown experience. His works that have caused Him to hold the supreme admiration of mankind, the worship of millions and to stir the emulation of philanthropists the world over were His gifts to the poor, the lame, the sick, the blind and the outcast. Here is the divine suggestion to every man and woman who would know really the full proportions and power of happiness. Throw out the circle of your presence and generosity to take in some of those whom you know are without the cheer and content of the Christmas time. Look out from your homes of ease and plenty by the back way to those hovels where you know is want and aching bodies and paralyzing helplessness. Reach out that hand of thine, into which a Christian civilization has poured more than your sufficiency, and scatter the sunlight and healing offerings among those who shrink in the shadows. Every man and woman w'ho would experience the true Christmas spirit should distribute with grace and humanity to the poor and sick. It is a tithe to Him whom you celebrate. It is a duty that casts a searchlight on the way to heaven. It is an excuse that stirs the inward spirit as nohe other can and widens the soul to greater capacity for love and happiness. Try it. Test it. Tasto the joy of it —St. Louis Chronicle.