The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY. DECEMB. 23, 1916. CHRISTMAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1654, 23 December 1916, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY. DECEMB. 23, 1916. CHRISTMAS.

BBKOI{B another issue of the ‘‘.Herald” reaches our readers Christmas IDT(» will have come and H’one. Weareahoul to eidehrale 1 he hirlh of the Prince of Peace, and as one writer points out ; “The deadliest satirist, with poison running in Ids veins, u stone for a heart, ami bowels of brass, eonld think of no sneer more malignantly antithetic of the real feelings of humanity in the year of onr Lord Idlfi than the ancient Christmas benediction: ‘Peace —goodwill to men.' " Por, as we write, nearly (he whole of Christendom is engaged in the bloodiest war yet recorded in the world’s history, fn fids favoured outpost of tile Kmpire we cannot fully realise the horrors of war, yet there are hundreds of houses in mourning, and there will be many vacant chairs at the Christmas family reunion. Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy at this time to those who are bereaved, and to the wounded. Won hi that we could pronounce the ancient Benediction; “Peace on earth, goodwill to men." Still, Christmas lias its blessings and lessons. We can, at least, shut from the hearts and minds all that is baneful and malicious, and let sweet charity enter ami reign supreme. We can then extend the band of fellowship right gladly, and perform some alight service to those who need it, and in this way endeavour to bring happiness and consolation to those who need it. We hope ere another Christmas dawns that a lasting peace will have come upon the nations of the earth,

mid (lin( [i(‘:u‘(‘ mid grindivll! will reign in very (mill.

“PEACE on oni-lli and good will lo men" is the swwtsct message ever sung. .11 presages llinl this warring, turbulent world shnll know peace; llml nmn, buffeted and tempesttossed liy ill-winds, discord, envy, .jealousy and hatred, may know and e\|K‘rienee tin l antithesis of this in Mood Will. It foreshadows the adv<*nl ol' (he day when “The mountain oi' (he Lord's House shall be established on the top of the mountains; when swords shall be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks; when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more;’’ when man shall be to his brother man a friend and protector; when the tlolden b’ule shall be (in l guide to every man’s conduct. Then that long-expected day of universal and good will shall break into a hallelujah of reality, and reign triumphant.