The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-01-02
For the anderson .hteHiqenccr.

day and its title The Satdrhalia was celeora-
ted in December. This festival, instituted A.
u. 253, lasted at first only one day (l9th); 1t
was then extended to three, and in the time Of
the Emperors to seven. The utmost liberty
prevailed at that time all mirth and festivity !;
friends made presents to each other; schools
were closed; the Senate did not sit; no war
was proclaimed, no criminal executed; slaves
were permitted to jest with their masters, and
were even waited on at their table by them.
This last circumstance probably was founded
on the original equality of master and slave
the latter having been in early time of Rome
usually q captive taken in war, or an insolvent
debtor, and consequently originally the equal o.
his master.
AS the Golden Race of Greek tradition had
been under Kronos, this festival offered another
means of identifying him with Saturnus. he
is said to have fled from before the arms of Ju-
piter. and to have concealed himself in Latium,
where he civilized the rude inhabitants.
Virgil sang:-
"First from olympus height ethereal came
Saturnus, flying from the arms of Jove,
An exile, OF his realms despoiled. The race
Untaught and scattered on the lofty hills
He drew together, and unto them gave
Laws, and Latin race would have them called
Because he in this country lay concealed (lat-
nisset)
The Golden Race of which they tell was then,
Beneath this king-he in such placid peace
Ruled DER the people's";
And the Saturnalia was regarded as commemo-
rative of those happy days of prime7al inno-
cence and equality. Hence, as has been already
said our Christmas seems to be in spirit among
ourselves, and always in England our father
land, the old Roman Saturnalia, differing from
it only in its name and date, but the same in
character. And it is very evident, and ac-
knowledged by all biblical scholars thar Christ
was not born on the 25th of December, but in
the spring of the year, about the 10th of April.
This fact, however, should not create in our
selves any alarm, since, if we observe the 25th
of December, instead of come other day, as his
birthday, and with the proper feelings and
sentiments. it.certainly can make no difference
with us.
Christmas is always, to every christianized
and civilized people, the occasion of rejoicing
and liberality. However different the mode of
the exhibition of this merriment, yet all find
some peculiar manner of observing its annual
return, and perhaps each imagines its own par
ticular method the wisest and best. The Eng
lish. for instance regards it solely in its reli-
gious aspect, and therefore observe Its annual
return with the greatest religious ceremony-as
day in which the greatest sobriety of conduct
should be observed. The doors of the Estab-
lished Church are opened for religious worship
in all respects as the Sabbath Day. This also
is the practice with the Church of England in
our own country, and, in large cities, frequent
" with other denominations, but in small
towns and villages, seldom. The English
method certainly seems the most rational and
proper way of observing the birthday of the
Saviour of mankind; and of all methods, that
which is the most communicating and riot
GUS drunkenness-seems the most unreasonable
and improper; for, how can we celebrate the
birthday of God properly, by doing that
which he himself has positively forbidden?
The annual return of this day should be hailed
by all correct thinking persons with the liveli-
est emotions of gratitude, and as one in which
all animosities, private and petty hatreds should
be laid aside
Although the above is the manner in which
the advent of this day should be religiously OBJ
served, yet this fact does not debar us from any
amusement and rejoicing that is regarded as
innocent, nor indeed is such amusement wrong
at any time. And the writer knows none more
innocent, than that of gladdening the hearts of
those around us by gifts of charity, or those of
friendship and love. Those of the latter, al
though by far the more numerous. are not SO
commendable, because they appeal more to our
selfshness, and perhaps of this kind there is
less of selfshness when they are made to our
children. Hence, prompted by the noblest in
stincts of our nature-a feeling to see our off
spring happy-parental fondness will ransack
the products of every cline, regardless often
times of expense, to supply every necessary to
that end. Therefore, almost from time immo-
rial, it has been the practice of all nations to
inculcate in the young with almost religious
care, the apnual return of that ubiquitous and
liberal parsonage st. Nicholas or Santa Claus.
Various are the methods of distributing his
much coveted and long expected gifts. AT the
private homes, he is expected by the children
to descend at midnight hour each chimney and
deposit with profuse hand the long-wished-
for presents in the carefully prepared stocking;
in the Churches, upon the carefully prepared
trees, called Christmas Trees. The last method
is becoming the favorite one.
And apropos to the above remarks, our little
VILLAGE in spite of the sleet and snow which