Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-12-30

AZ Jnis iesttve season OF the year IS now pay
ing its visitto us, II may not be sn'iss to turn
the thoughts for few minutes to an inquiry
about it. Nothing is more interesting than an
exaliination into the rise of social customs =
The customs continue for long time and peo-
pie forget how they originated, and then imag-
inc that they are as old as time itself.
The Holidays" consist of the two days of
Christmas and New Years, with the interven-
ing week. 1t has so happened that these two
days occur within eight days of each other, so
as to constitute very pleasant season of recre-
alton.
The first day of January has not always been
regarded as the beginning of the year. OF
course the year does not actually begin then
or at any other special time. But since men
have occasion to record time, some point must
be fixed for the end and the beginning of the
year. 1t has been common for men to notice
the first day of their year with various ceremo-
MES. With the post-biblieal Jews the year has
ever begun in the autumnal month Tisri, the
first day. of the same being celebrated with
considerable ceremony. The ancient Romans
made special holiday of New Years. On this
day occurred the principal festival of their god
Janus, (from which it is plain that the name of
January is derived.) On this day they were
very careful that all they did, or said, or thought
should be pure and favorable, since they re-
garded everything as ominous for the occurren-
ces of the whole year. They were accustomed
to give presents especially to the emperor
Some of the emperors made this an important
source of revenue. e.
| The Druids were accustomed to give presents
on New Years day. Down to the year 1852 it
appears that the English nobility were accus-
toned ''every new years tide to send the king
purse with gold in it. -
The custom of giving presents prevails in
France likewise, in Paris large sums being ex-
pended in their purchase. This much out of
great deal that might be said about New Years
day.
The word Christmas is formed by the union
of the two words Christ and mas, undoubtedly
from the papal custom of celebrating the mass
on Christmas morning. The careful reader of
the Scriptures will notice that they say nothing
about the time of the year when Christ was
born. Nor do they give ms the least intimatiOn
of any duty connected specially with his birth
day Yet, probably most persons suppose that
he was born OH the 25th of December, and that
the anniversary of his birth has always been
celebrated. Nothing can be more erroneous.
| II may be, indeed, that December 25th is the
true day of his birth, although that is what no.
body knows. The earliest institution of Christ
mas that any body thinks Of, after examination,
isput more than hundred years after the birth
of our Lord. But for about two hundred years
| it was very moveable festival. 1t was often
confounded with the Epiphany, and was cele-
brated by the churches in the eastern part of the
Roman empire in the months of April and May.
| This may show how little certainty there is that
the day of the nativity was ever truly known.
In the fourth century an order was procured
from the Pope for an investigation of this point.
The search was made by theologians of the
Catholic church. The proof was found in the
tables of the censors in the archives of Rome
These archives were those of the Roman empire
Thus the only proof we have to identify the
day of the nativity is derived from heather
sources, not from Christian sources. The heath
en- sources are perhaps correct. But if it were
a matter of consequence that this day should
be known and celebrated, the Scriptures would
certainly have given us the necessary instruc-
tion.
A portion of the men who examined the mat
ter were not satisfied as to the Identification Of
the day. But the majority agreed upon the
25th of December, and this decision was gener-
ally accepted. The above presents the strong
Test proof there is within the reach of the writer
lin favor of Christmas. There are evidences
which go TO overthrow even this proof, but they
are not at hand at the present time.
Well, the day being agreed1on, the celebra-
ton has ever consisted in mingling of religion,
and festive ceremonies, some of the latter having
been neither profitable, appropriate nor decent
At the present time, taking into view all christ.
endom, Christmas is a festive rather than a reli.
gious day. Its occurrence Just one week before
New Years affords convenient opportunity io
festive week. an opportunity that may be i'm
proved for purposes of relaxation and recreation
But it is certainly improper to make the sup
posed day of the Saviour's nativity and occas
ion of mere festive mirth. The thought of hi
birth, on that day or any other, may well Sc
joyful reflections at work in any pious mind.-
But the Joy thus created will be godly, not
merely festive joy.
| If it be reasonable to celebrate the "HOli
days at all, it is better to do with an intel
lgent knowledge of what they are, and hoV
they originated. The man who is mistakeI
about them will be ignorant in his celebration
and is in great danger of being superstition
likewise. b.