THE CHRISTMAS TREE AGAIN.
By J. P. LOGAN
Its introduction and use in our church, by some is opposed, while by others it is defended. Head-quarters defend; while some of the laity—at least one—who might be styled “the weak brother,” is opposed to, and sorry for, its introduction among us. Might it not be well for those who are “strong,” and who also have “knowledge,” to do and say concerning the Christmas tree, as the apostle did in the case of eating meat offered to idols? And also for the same reason. See 1 Cor. 8 : 7–13. “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Rom. 14 : 21. As the words “any thing” are in the text, may it not be properly applied to the Christmas tree? Might it not be well for our leaders to unite with the apostle in saying, “We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15 : 1) in the case of the Christmas tree? And especially as its disuse would injure no one, while its use does hurt the weak? “‘But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat,’—Or, if you please, thy Christmas tree,—“now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat,”—or thy Christmas tree—“for whom Christ died.” Rom. 14 : 15. J. P. LOGAN.