The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-12-15
MAKING READY FOR CHRISTMAS.

We commend to our readers the fol-
lowing seasonablc and sensible advice
fresh from the columns of the New
York ''Tribune" Greeley himselfnever
uttered more wholesome truths. Had
their author included the poor printer in
the list of those who should be remem-
bered religiously at the close of the
years work, the sermon would have
been complete:
Just a word or two about this matter of
Christmas. Most of the readers of The Tri-
bune ale Christian people, and wise, practi
cal people, who know the value of fun and
charity, and hearty devotional feeling, and
mean therefore to keep the day which brings
these things into their houses, and the
hearts Of their boys and girls. But the
majority of Tribune readers are not people
whose estates run up into seven figures. or
who can deal gorgeous gifts around among
their friends and poor neighbors, with no
more trouble than it cost Aladdin to rub
his rusty lamp. AS rule they measure
the outlay OF dimes pretty sharply, and
play perpetual game of fence with their
mas, and to give Christmas gifts, but they
have in all probabiltyabout one half or one
third as much money as they could afford
to give to the purpose in former years
The wisest plan to follow as it seems to us,
in these circumstances, is:
|. Let stnting and hardship, if it must
come, fall on the grown people; keep it out
OF sight OF the children on this day as much
rs possible. If they have been used to Il
tree, go without your cigars or new bonnet,
but let 1t rise TOR them on this Christmas
morning with all its spendor. The middle.
aged can weigh a sacrifice at its insIgnlti-
cant value, and they have philosophy to
meet it. But we question very much the
good effects of the discipline of poverty at
any season upon young children. At ali
events spare it to them, if possible, in this
gracious time when they think that all good
gifts and sladuess come straight from Him
whose birthday it is.
III. Cut OIL your wealthy friends with the
cheapest and most trivial offerings They
will have sense enough to understand why
you do it. and if they have not, they are
not worth keeping as friends. Put more
thought, care, and sentiment into your lit
tie keepsakes for them, and you will have
more money left to put into gifts for those
who need substantial offerings.
III. "Remember the POOR not by send
ing turkey to one hungry family, or "a
ton OF coal to another, and then dropping
the whole class out of your mind for the
rest of the holidays, but actually taking
thought how to help them substantially.
Nv. Don't pay half your weeks salary
for bit of cloisonne to give your rich
neighbour, whose cabinets are full of such
useless stuff, but take photograph of his
baby to the poor artist round the corner to
paint, SO you shall scatter real pleasure
with both hands. You know a needy
cousin TO whose housewifely, anxious soul
set OF embroidered napkins or haudker-
chiefs would seem most proper gift, and
you know a needlewoman starving for
work; make them both happy. Give the
children's half worn coats and shoes to the
poor seamstress and cobbler to bind and
patch, bef' r. you give the M to those who are
still poorer than they. Set the children to
work to mend their broken toys and to
dress their little trees. aud let them be them.
selves the Christ children VINO shall carry
them out and give them away. SO it shall
not be tinselled tree which you shall
plant, but habit of charity, of kindness,
of love which shall bear fruit their lives
long. Use your influence as we'll as your
money to scatter hope and help. Don't be-
grudge an hours letter writing or a miles
walk to find IA situation for that poor clerk
or teacher out of work. Don't be ashamed
either, to call III Co operation in your kindly
schemes. You can yourself only afford to
give an occasional meal to the poor widow
in the back street, with her hungry brood
but the help of your fellows in the Off ;e or
shop you can set her up in some small bus
mess, which will give her daily bread the
year round. lsememi O. the printer by re
t1ecting how substantially you can help him
by sending HIM the little bill that is cue
and arrears. Our hints are homely, but
we are talking, we hope, to homely, prac
tical people. Lastly. and above all. let us
remember in Christmas week, before we
give dollar away, 10 pay every dollar Of
our debts. We have no right to give to
rich friend or to starving seamstress money
which actually belongs to other people
If we cannot be honest, let US attract no
false credit to ourselves by pretending to
be generous We shall not be likely to
deceive our neighbors any more than God;
and money honestly earned and honestly
paid. is twice as live and useful as money
given in aims.