CHRISTMAS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7810, 24 December 1896, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

When last the choirs wore singing " Peac e on Earth, goodwill towards men" the storm clouds were gathering over the nations, and for some days there was no knowing when or where they would burafc. It was at Christmas time that the Transvaal uitlanders took up arms and Dr Jameson started on j his famous ride, and the events which then transpired, aa we all know, led uot only to grievous trouble in South Africa, but were the cause of much bitter feeling between England und Germany. At last Christmas a climax was being reached in connection with the Venezuela dispute which threatened to bring in couflict the two great sections of the Anglo-Saxon race. Altogether the international situation was disturbed, there was uo feeliug of security, and the heralds sang peace when there was no peace. Tho year soon closiug has been an anxious one for the rulera of Empires, and has hud more than its share of wars and mmors of war, but happily to-day the horizon is much clearer, there is a better understanding between the Great Powers, and concert between them over one of the most difficult problems of the age, the Turkish situation, has been almost established. The troubles with which the year commenced have been practically cleared away. South African affairs are quiescent, the Venezuelan dispute is being settled, and England and America have tacitly joined bauds and resolved to submit all future disagreements to the same method of settlement, arbitration. We have therefore much to bo tharkful for this Christmas Day, and should continue to steadfastly pray " Give peace in our time, oh Lord." Turning our thoughts from the nations to the locality to which wo belong, it may be said that Christmas finds things dull amongst us, but still we are hopeful— and this is the season to be hopeful— of better times in store. For the next few days business cares will be forgotten, and in accordance with the traditions of nearly nineteen hundred years, it will be the duty and pleasure of every one of us to make each other cheerful and happy. It is a season of peace and goodwill, and if throughout the year we let our better natures come to the front aB we do at Christmas, the world would be the brighter for it, and our lives would be more to the ideal set by Him whose birth we at this season commemorate. We again take the opportunity of wishing our readers most sincerely — A Mekry Chuistmas and A Haitv New Year.