25 Dec 1868
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 7 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Dec 25, 1868
Page
1
In a quiet town a fatherless child wanders seeking shelter on Christmas Eve. Scorn and rejection drive him from doors as merriment lights glow inside. Remembering the infant savior, the lonely boy prays and kneels amid the cold, dreaming of warmth and kindness.
On a stormy Christmas Eve a German fisherman sheltering a weary seaman learns of a missing son believed dead. The sailor returns home with the long lost boy, reuniting mother and child as the household finds renewed faith and warmth beside the fire.
The children loved the old sailor who told sea stories and cut them boats with his knife. He made ships and on Christmas Eve the family gathered by the fire and tree to kneel and thank the Christ Child for the lost one found.
The article traces Christmas origins as ancient, noting pagan roots and Christian purification, then outlines Roman and Nordic influences such as Saturnalia and Yule. It compares German domestic life praising maternal devotion, large families, and heartfelt celebrations from birthdays to weddings, describing spontaneous joy and communal customs.
The speaker recalls Frederick the Great tearing down a windmill to improve Prussia’s grounds, then rebuilding it after court rulings. The tale contrasts royal power with laws and honor, and ends with admiration for humble endurance amid history’s echoes. A later section recounts Greek battle imagery and a Chicago prayer meeting lesson on charitable action.
A fragmentary editorial note complains about critics and editors, suggesting many observe flaws in newspapers. It reflects on editors’ self-critique and the idea that if fault-finders did editorial work, more charitable outcomes might emerge.
A correspondent discusses the value of mental activity in maintaining appearance. The piece cites a remark that handsomeness declines without effort, urging ongoing effort to improve and sustain features through thoughtful actions and helping others.
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