The New York herald., 1871-12-24

that he deserves THIS graceful honor aS much, ana
IL 10 hoped more, than any other among his sanity
companions He is now, in legends that have come
down to us about nlm. represented as striking the
balance at Christmas in favor OF all the little folks.
and aw arding either punishmenis or rewards the
innocent and the guilty IN exact proportion to their
deeds. For the bad he has o scourge OF rods and
lays ON r0undly and makes the delinquent tingle
and smart as no scho0lmaster-even the heaviest
handed-has ever yet acquired the skill to do. AS
no boy fs on record In modern times, however, as
having actually received q thrashing from him,
we may conclude either that there are
no bad boys raised nowadays-an ex-
tremely improbable supposition-or else that
the good SAINT has found this branch OF his duties
too much for his kind heart, and has allowed their
exercise to fall into desuetude. For the good, how
ever he carries with hmm an ample store OF cakes
and nuts and apples and Christmas gifts, and these
he secretly, though with liberal hand, bestows
upon the worthy, the diligent and the kind hearted
His nodtis operandt OF presentation Is 30 familiar
that we need only passingly refer to It. He comes
down the chimney at the dead OF night while the
child he is to reward Ia quietly sleepy, and fills
stocking, which has been placed for his convenience
at tine foot Of the bed with his bounties. AL honor
70 the good Saint and may he not forget to mako
this year his usual round Of visits TO youthful New
YORK.
Its Institution and Its Celebration In Mcdieval
Times.
There are comparatively few people who have
true idea OF when Christmas was frst Instituted.
Many, doubtless, believe that although no mention
OF the special concentrations OF the saviours
birth occurs anywhere In the New Testament, 1t
must, necessarily, have been honored with some
signs Of rejoicing by the very earliest Christians;
and sucn indeed, seems TO have been the case,
vUnu
fourth century that Pope julius. having caused
strict investigation to be made into the matter pro-
claimed the 26th OF December as the day to be OBJ
served. This decision was accepted by the Eastern
as well as the Western churches, although
previously many dates had been held by
various Christian communities as the ap.
propriate occasion for the festival. Some Of the
churches kept New Years Day, others the 9th Of
January, while among the converted Jews some OBJ
served the goth OF March, the time Of the Jewish
Passover, and others the 29th Of September, the
time OF the Feast Of Tabernacles. But since it was
hrss definitely determined, all Christendom has con-
sented 10 accept the day now observed, and TO-
morrow, as for MY generations have done their
ancestors, the four hundred millions OF the children
Of the Cross Will celebrate with glad reJocnRs and
harmless mirth and hearty Thanksgiving, the holy
season OF the birth OF the Messiah.
To US modern nineteenth century folks, aCcus.
toned during an entire year, to listen with more or
less impatienoe to the Puritan clamor against an
"exuberant' celebration Of this cr0wning holiday
Of the year. 1t Is somewhat amusing to fnd that
even in primitive times, Christmas festivities were
source Of anxiety and occasion Of warning 70 the
fathers OF the Church. Just emerged from Pag an
tsm and enjoying but oral instrumentalities Of en-
lightenment 1t was but natural that the new con.
verts should now and then degenerate into the
1ron NJ tho olA haot fact
were an especially seductive temptation, and in
despair Of completely weaving their nocks from its
sinful revelry, the pastors Of the early Church
wisely transferred TO the celebration OF Christmas
the more harmless sports and amusements that
made this part OF tue old Aeathen calendar go
popular. 1t is easy, however to see that the com.
promise was made with great reluctance and more
misgtving, - for many centuries . 'fes-
tiven commemoration Of the saviour's birth
was frequently denounced by purtsts and
sss In ns % Europe
same method was employ Cd 70 induce the people 70
II Great Britain also various Druidical rises snd
SUP e&npersnnens: rem nte cause e has come about
strangely mixed up with the oid neasser cussomSs nis
Even the name Of Yule 10 undoubtedly Of pagan
6ntil the time OF the Reformation Chrtstm Al vaa
celebrated oy all Chrtsttans, wherever they might
happen to to be- with appropriate religious services
however. rejected the custom as tf doubtful value.
This sentiment still prevails In q more Ur less
marked degree IN Scotland, and even among Ger.
tam elements OF our own population. 1t seems,
however, TO be gradually dying out.
Az was natural In ages, which, though ignorant,
were not devoid OF poetic feeling. many very curl
GUS superstitions prevailed IN medieval times In
regard to certain mysterious virtues Of Christmas.
tide.
One Of these superstitions in regard to Christmas
u expressed In the following uncoutn doggerei:-
Lc5Synss; ss., e; H.. ..ps o9,y yGu !. ssso sss,o.n'
fall upon . Sunday,
But great windes alOft shall be-
The somer shal bs fsyre and drive
BY kynde skile, wi6outen lease
Throw all landes shal be peas,
And good time al thyngcs TO do.
But be that stelyeth shal be fowndo some.
What chylde that day borne be,
A great lord be sha4bs.
II Christmas on the Saturday fane
That winter Il to be dredded allie;
Il shal be 30 full Of great tempeats
That shal slay both and bese;
Fruit and sha fayle great one,
And old f0lko dyen many
What woman that dav Of chyldo travay1o
They shall be borne In great peril
And children that shAl be borne that day
Within half year they shall dvc par fay;
The s0mcr, thsn, ahAl wit rtah lie,
If thou Aught stele, Il shal the spyllo.
Thou II sickness takes thee.