A Christmas Thought.
A lecture was delivered in Boston a few days since by the Rev. Wm. B. Wight, and during his remarks he beautifully said:
Most of us remember days which are set in the years of our childhood as gems are set in rings. In later life these sparkling points of time become effulgent rays rising like suns; flushing the household sky with genial tones; warming its gray with color. To unnumbered millions Christmas has been such a ray. To sad hearts it has brought gladness. It has stood like a rock by the sea. The dark waves come moaning against it, to be caught and tossed into silver spray and dash of rainbows. Though the drops fall back again and are lost in the joyous ocean; thought Christmas laughter settle soon into the moan of care, the next tide shall repeat the benediction. For, when Christmas is gone Christmas is coming. Though the yule log blazes but once a year, sparks of its sacred flame still linger on the hearth and mingle with the fires daily kindled where it has lain. The benign effect of a merry Christmas does not cease when the tapers are extinguished.
Originally published in The Cairo Bulletin of Cairo, ILL on 24 Dec 1871 pg 2 (146 years ago today).
