The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-12-30
CHRISTMAS.

New England Puritans; never met with 8
more signal failure than when they under
took to abolish Christmas. There is in
human nature love for fun and enjoyment,
which even Puritan ascetsm was unable to
suppress. They could teach their children
that the pope was an old raw-head and
bloody bones-the Church establishment .
mountain OF iniquity, and all its solemn rites
and ceremonies sinfIl and hideous mum
neries but when they said the Christ Kindel
venile nature re5elled.
The little ones had probably peeped into
the second part of a certain old book, the
first part of which only the Puritans seem 10
have held in special reverence, and read a
passage like the following:
"And there were in the same country shep.
herds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their focks by night.
''And 10, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the gior.' Of Inc Lord .bonc round
about them and they were sore afraid.
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not
for, behold, l bring you tidings of great JOY
which shall be TO all people.
"For unto you is born this day, in this city
of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Sand this shah be sign unto you; ye
shall End the babe wrapped in swaddlng
clothes, lying in manger.
Sand suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host, praising God,
and saying:
"Glory to Gcd in the highest, and on
EARTH, PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN"
Surely day heralded amid scenes so sub
lime, yet SO suggestive of JOY and gladness,
returning anniversary, with demonstrations
somewhat akin to those that marked it. first
advent.
And so it has been-that, although nne>
tenths of all our Protestant com nunities
profess to ignore the fasts and festivals of the
Church, while their theology condemns,
their human nature has chung to Christmas,
and Easter, and other of its great seasons OF
pious mirth. Anybody can tell, for week,
beforehand, that Christmas is near, by the
beaming faces Of the happy little ones, and
by the gorgeous display of goods in our shop
windows. All tLat is finest and richest, and
most costly and beautilal,-as we'll rs wha,
i, most fantastic and fun-proroking, seems
to be reserved for friendships offering on the
holidays. Blessed be the msyl who invented
Christina. gifts. How beautiful, that in this
selfish world at least one day is reserved on
which all should exert their energies to pur
chase happiness for themselves By making
others happy.
In Ottawa, although there were religious
services, we believe, in but two churches
the Episcopal and Roman Catholic-the day
was as fully recognised by aost of our bust
ness men as an ordinary Sunday. Few
stores,-except where holiday good, were a
specialty-were open at all daring the day.
Aside from the churches named there were
no public observances that we are aware of,
except Christmas Tree p, the Cougrcga-
tional Church IN the evening, for the delec-
tation of the children of the Sunday School
connected with that church.
The Epscofalians, whose church as usual
was beautifully decorated with evergreen,,
had their Sunday School Christmas Festival
on Thursday evening, Holy Innocents'
Day,) at the church. There was Christmas
Tree, loaded with gifts for the children, con-
sisting of the prizes awarded for good les.
sons, good behavior, &C., during the past
year, and of cornucopias and other presents
for all the little ones, whether they had won
prizes or not. For the highest or '.Rector's
Prize" as it is called, the contest was SO
close between Master Eddy Dow and Master
Frank Sanderson, that it wa. given to both ;
that is, each got prize. Another "Rector's
Prize or rather surprise to the Rector, was
found on the tree, consisting of a common
envelope, enclosing a roll of greenbacks.
The worthy parson seemed to take it very
good-naturedly. The exercises consisted Of
singing by the children, an addres by the
Rector, distribution of prizes, &c, al com
mencng and closing with prayer.