In these latter days no great respect is exhibited for things that are merely old, but old fashioned as is Christmas and familiar as are the associations that cluster round it, the world would be poor indeed if its observance were lost to it. It is one of those things so intimately associated with emotions and thoughts which are kindly, and pure, and helpful to all, that although it comes year by year, with the same old words, and kindly greetings, and neighbourly customs, and youthful pleasure and laughter and merriment, for both young and old, it always has a new face, and the whole world greets it with a welcome hand. “A Merry Christmas” will pass from lip to lip not only all over the continent of Australia, but where there is a knowledge of the Christ in all lands; and who shall say that, the world is not the better for it. Christmas of 1900 should be a memorable one ; it is the last of the dying century, and ushers into existence a new born nation in these southern seas. The future is pregnant with potentialities of greatness for the Australian Commonwealth. Let us hope that the light of faith, generated with the birth of Christ in the manger and flashed upon us down the long centuries, will continue to illumine and guide the minds of the people of this continent, so that our future may be one of peace, progress, happiness and prosperity.