The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-28

dows are filed with little regiments OF
bishops modelled In chocolate, repre-
senting ST.. Nicholas of Myra, after the
likeness 0f his piotlre in the famous
"Heures" OF the Duchess Anae oi Brit
tauy.
He bears a crdzier IN his hight hand
and with three fingers 0i his left extenG- =
ed he biesses three little cAildren, who
are ruaely represented rs rising out oil a
litble tub at his episcopal teet. This has
been interpreted by artful nurses as
signifyiDg the blessedness reserved for
in ants who will submit themselves
peacefully 10 the dreadful operation OF
being thoroughly washed and scrubbed.
But it has deeper and more mystical
meaning through which we arrive at the
transierence over of Santa Claus into
the sphere Of Christmas, its gifts and its
feasting.
The story ofSt. Nicholas, as told in
the Golden Legend, recites that upon a
certain occasion The bishop whlle on
his travels lodged at the house OF u "'son
of Satan" who for lack OF provisions
was used to kidnap little children, slay
and serve them up 10 his guests. He
set some OF his abominable dishes be-
fore The bishop, who, instantly discern
ing their true nature, repfoached the H.
human wretch with his crime, and going
to q tub wherein lay the scalded re-
mains Of three poor little creatures,
made over 1t the sign Of the cross.
Instantly the liJlle ones arose, and
were restored alive and well to their
weeping mother, widow, dwelling near
by. This excellent bishop was the
patron of pawnUrokers, VINO seem to
have been originally coniraternity of
benevolent ricn people, willing to help
the poor by lending them small sums Oh
articles which they would otherwise
have been forced TO sell at a great sacri-
flee; and the three golden balls borne
for ages as the sign OF paWnbr0kers are
believed to symboiiZe three purses OF
gold, which the good bishop lurtiVeiy
cast on as many successive nights into
the windows OF u ruined noble, in order
to save his three daughters from being
driven by poverty into life of shame.
How the Dutch came to take st. Mich
olas as their patron saint is matter of
dispute. They probably borrowed him
from the Lombards. Whether they did
so or not, 81. Nicholas as Santa Claus
has preserved that piOus and benevolent
character which, we are sorry to say, has
rather passed away with time from his
devotees, the pAwnbrokers, and is now
only retained, 30 far as concerns them,
in the name of those great continental
public pawnbroking Establishments
known as the MontS de Piete.
Now that the season vi Santa Claus is
upon us, it surely can do neither the
children OF New York nor their elders
b arm to be reminded OF the true origin
ana Significance OF the shauowy name
which Is linked with the marry-makiug
OF so many New York homes. For new
or were tnere SO manV homes in New
York as now to which no thought OF
merry making comes with Santa Claus
and Christmas bells. And while the
parents and the children of our pros
porous classes are rejoicing together in
the happiness Of the season, they can
easily make that happiness hundred
fold brighter and sWeeter by resolving
that the desOlate and starving thous-
ands around them shall be partakers
therein with them.
1t jars irigntfulIy upon the holiday
notes OF Christmas to know that not
forty eight hours ago poor woman was
found 1aint and fallen in our public |
streets, with her famlshed child frozen
to DEAN in her arms. Could there be
better invocation of Santa Claus this |
year put up from this great city OF his
especial care than the formation of a
Relief Fund, to be created by
the free-Will offerings of the children of
New York through tneir parents? There
could be no difficulty in organizing such |
D fund Immediately through the clergy |
men of this city, each in his own parish |
and congregation; and who can measure |
,he good tO be done by it, not next year |
lor in the next century, but before the |
)ells ring in the happy Christmas morn- |
ng?