Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-12-21
Christmas.


the next issue of the Democrat, and we
take this opportunity to wish our patrons
l very merry Christmas.
Every year the celebration OF this holt
day is being more and more generally
observed in New England. The puritan
fathers who founded this commonwealth,
were members OF class who meant
great deal when they promised to re.
nounce the pomps and vanities OF this
wicked world. They had seen the cee-
bration of this most holy holiday degener'
ate into a mere caroussl, and its hours
filed with the basest debauchery. In the
severity of their principles. the round
heads of England and The puritans OF
New England forbade the celebration oil
Christmas. Hence, the early history Of
this locality was barren Of many beautiful
scenes and pleasant reunions which are
SO common to day.
Ia New York and Pennsylvania the
early Dutch settlers brought with them
reverent jollity, which had never been
fostered 10 all unhealthy atmosphere until
it became license. So the middle States
have an advantage over US in their
Chris mas celebrations, the people having
INDUCED their tastes in this direction for
ovar tun capturias
Christmas is eminently Christian holi.
day. 1t was first established by Papal
edict in The year 1873. and has for the past
eighteen hundred years, been celebrated,
more or less, wherever the name Of Christ
has been preached, or the Christian re.
ligion established.
In its earliest existence it was simply o
church festival, but year by year. it be-
came more and more matter OF family
and social interest. Every denomination.
sect and creed has agreed in celebrat-
ing the twenty fifth day OF December as
the birth day of our Savior, In remem.
brance OF the great gift at that time
bestowed on man, it became custom TO
make o special donation TO the poor at
this season, and from that practice came
the present one of passing tokens of
friendship and love.
The tenderest emotions are experienced
among all nations. aud the bonds OF sym.
patty between all people are most sin.
cerely felt as Christmas approaches. In
Germany it is the "Children's Day." in
memory of the Christ child. The most
beautiful stories and most exquisite
poems have come from German pens,
upon this theme. This nation seems TO
enter more heartily into The celebration
of Christmas than any other. No one
can read the tales intended for this cele-
bra,ion nor listen TO accounts Of the
chldren's gatherings in Germany, with
out being led to think high thoughts and
10 aspire to the performance of better
deeds.
Since last Christmas the children Of the
world have lost valued friend. Valued,
whether he greeted them with his melo-
dous voice and magnetic smile. or
through the printed pages OF his charm
ing volumes. Hans Christian Anderson
is dead. But, can we not imagine him as
sea ed mex, Children's Day. as Of old,
with a band of chelubs upon his knees
and gathered about him, while he relates
TO them those legends which afforded
them such keen enjoyment on earth. The
good lie has done is to live alter him, and
Saturday. many child will be gladdened
By copy of The dear dead mans stories.
Let US all foster the tender emotions
which ,hrong upon US at this season OF
the year, and let Us see if we cannot
make some one better and happier for
the day. Peace and good will is the
motto for the day. By carrying the spirit
of these words about US every day we
shall do our little 10 alleviate suffering,
aid in crushing vice, and greatly assist in
forwarding the good work for the in
auguration Of which the Christ child was
born, one thousand and eight hundred
and seventy five years ago.