The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-12-29
The Holidays.

The Holidays.
The season known as the "IIoly days,
according to the good old European custom.
commences with the Nativity OF our Sayior,
Dec. 25th, and end with the Epiphany, CT
Twelfth Night" rs it is called, being the
| twelfth and last night of the Holidays In
England, as we'll as in Roman Catholic
countries generally. the entire season is still
observed. Parliament in England. AZ we'll
as the Chambers III France always adjourn
over until after Twelfth Night for the tIoli-
days. In this country, however. we have
borrowed large'y from the Protestant Ger
mans in our observance of the Holidays,
aud, among Others, the custom Of terminus
ting the season with New Year. Oar Cons
gress and State Legislatures know nothing
about Twelfth Night" bat adjourn over for
the holidays until after New Year. TIE
reason doubtless is, that in th S country,
which in all its customs and ideas has also
received pretty thorough Infusion of Puri>
tanism, Christmas has been measurably
converted from religious into secular
festival. There were too many pleasant
| associations connected with that hallowed
season, in which all were taught to give
| in which even the most close listed miser,
! fof the only lime in tae whole year, was COM
| PEELED to unscrew the vice-like clasp on his
treasure and give,-to ignore it entirely.
Puritan abhorrence of papis,ic customs and
4
German materealism might obscure in the
popular mind the true reason for the custom,
but could not eradicate the memory Of its
pleasant associations and the craving for
| their annual return.
Of eour-e. to the truly pious, who revere
the institutions oil the ancient church. the
s,culariza:ion Of the holidays is a matter Of
grief That the sacred feast OF the Holy
E..charst should be superseded by tarkey
and mlucs pies, is a dissertation which, to
such mind, we can we'll conceive, is abhor-
| rant. 1t is not, however, Inconsistent with
the saeredness of the season that it should
be made joyous and happy by the universal
custom of giving; not merely giving pres
ents, for presents are too often but exchange
Is but that the season should be notable
for al exuberant outflow Of charity. Espe>
cially IN such a season is it appropriate to
remember the poor. A gift is mockcry
and ini,nonsr if made in expectation CT a
return.
Give, as the morning that flows ont OF Heaven;
Give as the waves when their channel is riren
Lavlshy, utterly, carelessly give
Nos thcfaint sparks OF MY heart ever glowing;
Not pale bud from the June blowing;
/ Give As lie gave thee, Who gave thee to live.
Nor is it inconsistent with the sacrednsss
OF the season that it should be made pecu-
liarly joyous one to ths little oncs. The
holidays especially commemorate the events
that occurred in the infancy of our Savior :
his birth, his being Graded ia a manger, tie
appearance of the sta- to the shepherds, tn e
song of the angels, 'dlory to God in the
Highest; peace on earth, good will to men,
ending, one year and three days after his
birth, with tho Epiphany, or manifestation
OF our Savior to the Gentiles. The idea oil
making presents to children doubtless had
its origin here, for the wise ,nea brough,
presents of gold, trankincense and nlyrrh
We do not indeed make presents OF costly
articles like these to our children, nor would
it be appropriate. Oar Savior, though the
son of the psor carpenters wife, W.. really
and truly prince, and these presents appro
priately recognised his regal character The
presents to children are sufficiently in keep
ing when they are such as are IN ost truly
adapted to make them grateful and happy.
BALL AT SEyscA.-Our friend Hurlburt
We observe, has ont general Invitation t
all who like to "trip the light fantastic tc
meet at Arnours Hall in Seneca on The eve
ming of New Year, whsn he has made arrang
meuts for giving splendid ball. Good mu
sic is engaged, a supper will be provided, anC
no reason is conceived why there should no
bo a general good time. Tickets $3.50 in
|, GLIDING refreshments.
DEATH CT JAaEs SeNPLz-Hon James
: Sempe, for many years politician OF some
800