The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24


Roman See from A. d. 337 TO 352. We are
infol med by ST.. Chrysostom, who died in the
early part of the fifth century, that Pope
Juliue, being solicited by st. Cyril, Of Jerusa-
lem, SO to do, caused inquiries to be made into
the matter, and authoritatively decided that
the most authentic traditions were in favor OF
the 25th of December.
History Of the Festival. -t.
Having received the oountenanee OF the
Church, and being based on customs which
were revered by the common people, Christ
mas continued down to the Reformation to be
celebrated throughout the Christian world
with great rejoicing. When the Protestant
sects sprang into existence, this great festival,
in common with many others on the Roman
calendar, retained its place among the GUS
toms Of the Lutheran and Anglican Churches;
but by the adherents of Calvin It was re-
ected in toto, IS without any warrant in Scrip
ture. 1t was to the prevalence Of this spirit
among the Puritan settlers OF New England
that we owe the origin OF our national festl-
val of Thanksgiving. As Scotland was the
country in which the Calvinistic doc
trines became most prevalent, it
was there that the clergy made the most
determined efforts to do away with the obser-
vance Of the obnoxious festival. The result
of this course is the absence, even at the
present day, of anything in the way Of festi-
vity on Christmas, except in the Highlands
and the county Of Forfar. But even in she
Calvinistic Lewlands the tendency to re-
oicing at the close of the year is 80 irrepressi-
ble that New Years Day and the preceding
evening, known as Rogmanay, are seasons Of
general jollifcstion. In this country, while
Christmas was formerly regarded by the
Presby with as much aversion as it is
by those Of their belief in the Old World, it
has at last come to be observed by them gene
rally, but merely as season Of festivity, with
ont partakiDg of any sanctioned religious
character.
The Festivities.
In this country, and, indeed, throughout
the world, the Christmas festivities may be
said to commence with the evening Of Decem-
Der "a. But according to the weight Of the
ecclesiastical authorities, the festival should
begin on the 10th day of the month, which is
designated in the calendar as o. ,Sapientia,
from the name Of an anthem sung during
Advent. The proper termination Of the fes-
tivities is the 1st of February, or the eve
before the Publication Of the Virgin-Candle-
mas Day-by which time, in accordance with
the eanons of the Church, all the
holiday decorations Of places Of wor-
ship should be removed. In England,
however, the festivities continue at the pre-
sent day scarcely a. fortnight, ending with
Twelfth Day; while in this country it is but
seldom that they last beyond the commence.
ment of the New Year. Considering that
Christmas is preeminently Christian festival,
it would seem strange that many of the GUS
toms peculiar to the day are to be traced back
to heathenish sources for their origin. When
the different European nations were first con
verted to Christianity, 1t was found that the
rites peculiar to their former faith had taken
such q hold upon the popular heartl that it
was almost impossible to prevent their con
tinued observance. The early missiona
ries, therefore, made the best of this cir
cumstance by engrafting on the ancient cers
monies and superstitions of their converts the
accepted, thus rendering the transition less
sudden and less obnoxious. This was par
ticularly the case with respect to Christmas
in Great Britain, from which country we have
borrowed nearly all of our own methods Of OBJ
serving it. The origin Of the principal eere-
monies was the SatWnalia of the Romans.
The season chosen for this grand merry ry-msking
was the time of the winter solstice, on the 2lst
of December, when the days, having arrived
at the period Of their shortest duration, began
to lengthen, thus heraldiDg the approach Of
spring and summer, which was regarded as a
| fit subject for rejoicing. The Roman Satur-
MALTA was characterized by universal license
and jollity. The relation of master and slave,
for the time being, was completely
severed; the former frequently attending
upon the latter as servants. The houses were
made gay with evergreens, and games and
presents were the staple occupations of the
old and young Of all classes. Among the
ruder nations of the North of Europe there
was similar festival, at the same period oil
sacrifice of men and cattle, the hanging up Of
the sacred mistletoe, and the universal kind
ling of fires, indoors and out. From the last
Of these Is derived the Yule Log Of "Merrie
| Old England" II is also said that the ancient
Persians, between whom and the Druids OF
Western Europe there is supposed to have
been an intimate Eelation, were accustomed To