Ephraim Holding's Homely Hints to Sunday School Teachers - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843. Excerpt: ... XVI. A SPRIG OF HOLLY FOR A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER. Christmas was, is, and I trust, ever will be, so long as " the seasons roll," a cheerful time. The young, the middle-aged, and the old, prepare for it, and rejoice when it comes. Griefs are abundant in the world; sorrows there are without number; but this does not gainsay the general truth, that Christmas is a cheerful time. Oh, what a merciful provision it is on the part of our heavenly Father, that neither sin nor sorrow has banished joy from the world! If one heart be bowed down, another is dancing with delight; and if one habitation be the house of mourning, the next is filled with the sounds of rejoicing. The very name of Christmas is as music to the ear, sunshine to the eye, and happiness to the heart of the young, for it brings before them holiday and pleasure; while the mature and the aged look forward with affection to the friendly groups and family gatherings that await them. You see Christmas as it approaches in the animated eye of the young; in the increased bustle and business of the shops; in the holly, the mistletoe, the laurel, and the lauristina for sale in the market-place; and in the decorated pulpit and pews of the churches. You see it everywhere; and though the ground be covered with snow, and the eaves are hung with icicles, you can almost feel the warm glow of the flaring fire. But it is not of the well-spread feast, the happy guests, the flaring fire, the cheerful evergreens, the blithesome carol, and the happy meeting and greeting of Christmas that I am about to speak. We have, most of us, known these things, and may, perhaps, be knowing them still; and, if so, I hope and trust that we are not unthankful for them, for we should regard these things as instances of God's goodness, a...