The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1883 Christmas

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 86, 22 December 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1883 Christmas

* Eveb fleeting time has again "brought us to the threshold of that happy season during which all Christian men commemorate the most wonderful and telling event that has taken place in the history of the world. For nearly nineteen hundred years — under circumstances of trial and tribulation in the beginning, and joy and thanksgiving in later days — men of all kindreds and classes, holding the most divergent opinions on matters of detail in religious observances, have met together to celebrate the joyous event, and to offer their tribute of gratitude for the boon that was then conferred on all men. Among all English speaking peoples it is a timehonored custom at this season to dismiss all cares and sorrows of the year that has passed away, to put away sad memories in the dark repositories of their hearts — only to be brought forth when solace for present sorrow is found in recalling the virtues of those who have passed away — and to endeavor to enjoy, with an unburdened mind, the blessings of this world and the fullness thereof. It is good that we should forget, yet it will be hard for many to lay aside the remembrance of those dear friends that have gone from among us. Since the Christmas of last year Death has been busy with those who were most valued by us in their places upon earth, and has dealt wounds on the hearts of the many remaining which will take many years to heal over. Unhappily in our case, there have been no exceptions to the rule that those who could be least spared were those selected by the remorseless Beaper, but it is a melancholy satisfaction to believe that these were prepared to meet, their Creator as "good and faithful servants " in their pilgrimage on earth. As " their sorrows have been turned into rejoicings," it will be well for us to look with cheerfulness on the inevitable during a season when all men should be exhibiting gratitude for the mercies now vouchsafed upon earth, as well as for the means of salvation in heaven. Let one and all endeavor to add to the common joy, We do not commend exuberant mirth, or unseemly excess of any kind, but we condemn any appearance of lugubriousness or melancholy, whether from "natural causes "or from an abhorrence of seeing others happy. This is a season of. joy to all men. There are no exceptions^ It is customary at this time to make touching appeals to the hearts and pockets of the benevolent in aid of the poor, the sick, and the distressed. It is a proud thing for us to write that we have no poor among us, and distress is little known. The sick are few, and those who are confined, from this cause are all in the hands of kind relatives or friends who minister to their wants. , There may be .cases where, from a variety of causes, plenty does not abound, but they- are doubtless few, and if such are made knpwn, iherfe are; plenty of

generous hands to supply the needful. That a spirit of kindness, charity, and goodwill to each and every one will exist in Feilding this Christmas we firmly believe. Last year we said — "We can look around on many staunch and true friends, and upon a whole community in which we have not knowingly make a single enemy." Since those lines were penned, we are happy to say that we have made many new friends, and have much enlarged the circle of our usefulness. In the exercise of our functions as independant journalists we may have occasionally pressed hard on the prejudices of individuals unwittingly. To those we can only offer as a balm to their wounded feelings the statement that we have endeavored to do our duty, without fear or favor, for the public good, and will continue to do so. To our readers, one and all, we wish a Merry Christmas and the fullest capacity to enjoy themselves during this festive season.