The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-12-25

DIAL the pretty decisions in this
world the prettiest is that Of Santa
Claus. Tae Christmas succeeding
the time when that delusioa is dis
PEELED is the gIoomiess that is ever
endured by TIA child. His knoRl.
edge brings him no pleasure but
rather leaves a great gap in his world
that nothing can fl. rhe only plea
sure that comes thereafter in ccnnec-
ton With :he mythical deity, is in
watching those who are still in the
happiness and bliss Of the sweetest ig-
uorance. This is dull satisfaction
and grim delight for the years be.
tween the hsaging up of stockings
and the filing OF them for others.
Good S.. Nicholas dates from the
fourth century, his birth occurring at
Patara in $40, and his influence over
the world has grown to this dag. It
Is q pretty story tia, is toll OF bis life
which was one OF religious service, of
deeds OF benevolcnos and of miracles
from infancy to Old age and death.
His parents we're rich and illusi1ious
and he was thereby enabled Is crafty
the ruling quality Of his nature,
namely, charity. Il ia related thaa
on & certain occasion, be heard OF a
nobleman in reduced circumstances
who had three daughters to whom he
vas unable to give marriage portions,
Nicholas was exercised in the matter,
and proceeding to tae house at night,
when the girls we're ssleep-ii the old |
prints may be relied upon-threH in |
st the open window three purses Of
gold. The maidens were mErried |
and lived happily, as a matter Of
course, their generous benefActor re-
naming unknown to them. That
act was the frs: by which st. Nicbo-
las became tie great exemplAr OF
those who would besiow gifts in
secret, and the especial patron of good
virgins. St. Nicholas became bishop
OF the Christian Church founded ct
Myra by Paul the apostle, as recorded
in Acts. Paul had appealed from
Festus unto Augustus Casar, at
Rome, nGd started on the voyage to
Italy, in charge Ofs centurion, sail
ing along by the oosst OF Cyprus,
because the winds were contrary.
And when We hsd sailed over the sea
Cilicia and Pamphylia, We came to
Myrs, city of Lycis.
And there the centurion found 8 ship
of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he
put us thereon.
1t Is said that while at Myra, wait
ing for this passage, PAaI founded
the ohu.ch eoyer which St. Nicholas
became bishop. Il vas after attain.
ing to this high ecclesiastic position
that Nicholas became the pastor and :
protector Of little boys. It was in this :
way: While travelling through his die L
cese. he lodged one night a. the {
house of a maa who was "a son of
Satan" A famine had reduced the J
supply Of provisions, and the host 4
served up some fragments of small B
boys for supper. Nicholas discovered !
the fraud, and going to tue tab where >
the boys were in pickle, made the 8
sign Of the cross over them, and they il
rose up "Rhole and WELL" We pre-.
sumo that St. Nicholas was clothed +
in The appropriate robes, wore the q
mitre and carried the orosier, but 4
hat is not the patron saint that the = !
nowadays worship. Great e
have bean made, not a
q the way of helping the appearance 81
If the old chu.chman, but With the VI
7iew of making him more mythical, II
ollier and better natuTed. The Santa So
Claus that has grown from the pious