MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR READERS.

In a few days more, next Monday, all Christendom will be celebrating the greatest day in the year. The Christmas spirit has come to be so general, and it has impressed itself so strongly on the national life in America, that the day has acquired the character of a national holiday. For good feeling and the interchange of good wishes as well, being recognized as Christendom’s festal day. The yearly event gives it the character of a national holiday, and it has come to be a well and widely recognized one. To-day the customary greeting, “A Merry Christmas,” does not mean merriment itself so much as it does the joyfulness which is spread abroad by the spirit of the day. The lessons presented by Christmas possess a beauty which makes the day at foundation a truly great one and the influence is a constantly increasing one. The Christmas spirit is growing not only among the peoples of this country at the holiday season, but happily is expanding as to time, fori it is a good spirit for all seasons. This year this vast influence exercised by the spirit of Christmastide is particularly striking because of the unusual and abnormal conditions obtaining here as well as abroad as results of the war that has been raging in Europe for more than two years. This country, however, is at peace with the world and a substantial measure of prosperity has come to it during the past year, while the indications are that its further prosperity is assured. This favorable outlook, coupled with hopes entertained of peace abroad, being among the possibilities of the not far distant future, mean that Christmas greetings this year indicate very much more than a mere formal celebration of an ancient custom. They are a recognition of the true spirit of Christmas; its elevating lessons and fulfillment of conditions to make the people happier. It is, therefore, with hope and cordiality, supplemented by confidence, that FIRE AND WATER ENGINEERING extends the old time, always bright, greeting to its readers. “A Merry Christmas.”