New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-12-27
EYGTHEN YOUR CHRISTMAS WEEK

The sufferings of the poor and the perils of
travellers by sea or land, make us glad that the
inevitable cold period of the year embraces also
the warm and generous Christmas time, Think
of Christmas in July or August Change
our present-giving, heart-opening, purse
oosening holidays to the time of midsummer
heats and howers-what would then become
of the poor who are poor all the year round,
but are poorest in Winter In warmer eli
mates, where this Christian festival is cele-
brated amid perennial blooms, much of the
fine flavor of the season is lost. Christmas
without blazing cheer within enhanced by the
wintry look of things outside, is not much of
Christmas. We should miss, in orange
groves and eternal Summer, not only the asso-
Citations and accessories of the jolly Christmas
of our English ancestors, but the opportunities
for generous giving which our northern sur
roundings present. Christmas without the win
try holly and evergreen-Christmas without the
patient poor-would be lean sort of Christ
mas, after ALL
Let no one think that our Christmas tide
Gibbs away with the 25th day Of December. 1t
lasts until the New-Year; the judicious man
age to stretch it over into the last days Of
January it can be detained until the coolest
weather has gone and the immediate crying
wants of the poor have vanished with it. Let
ne see if we cannot make it last until Can
dlemas, at the very least.
This severe Christmas week-shall we say
Christmas month f-makes the duty of helping
the poor moro than ever imperative nay. it
opens wider channels for the bounty that
only waits opportunity to flow forth. The
unusual rigOr of the season make sharp de-
mand on the generosity of those who have
anything 10 give. The rich and the middle
classes have much to bestow; and out of their
poverty the poor have something to share.
There is that which is not mere sentiment III
the saying of a noble woman that The least
flower with trimming cup may stand and
share its dewdrOp with another" And in this
season of giving in the name of Christ there
is no lack for opportunity to give purpose
fully withal. You who read these lines know
where to find the poor and needy; and for him
who must needs give by proxy, how many
noble charities stand waiting ready TO be his
messengers In THE TRIBUNE of Christmas
morning was printed long list of Christian
organizations which celebrated the day var
iously, but, with common consent, frightened
its hours for those who are in need and have
no helper. We would like to specify some of
the more beneficent and widely -ramifylng of
these agencies but, where all are good and
full of good works, this is difficult. Take up
the long list again, and give to these societies
and bands, if you cannot go to the needy
yourself. We shall always have the poor with
us we must have much badness Herewith,
also but the voice of the stern censor is
hushed in this holy, happy time; we will re-
leve the wants of the poor. reverently in
remembrance of Him whose rain and sunshine
fall on the good and ill-behaving alike. 1t is
Christmas time it is q time of uncommon
needs and suffering among the poor; and one
days or one weeks giving is not enough for
Christmas Offering.