The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-12-22
Wednesday, Dec. %. 1880.
Christmas Greeting.

"Else happS morn rise holy morn!
bring forth the cheerful day from night!
q. FATHER, touch the east anu ltght 49,
The light that shone when HOPE was born"'
For the thirty-sixth time the Abbcci;le Ban
ter sends It's Christmas greeting TO the people
Of Abberllle county. Tie editors OF tho Press
and Tanner will not indulge In any se'f-con-
CALCULATIONS OH this occasion, nor will they
recount the changes, tho misfortunes, nor the
blessings which during the year have been
suffered or enjoyed by the printer or the read
or. Our duty now Is not with the dead past,
but with the living present.. In celebrating
the anniversary Of the birth Of Him who hrSt
loved us, We should lay aside all personal ma
trcds and anlmositics. Forgetting for the
time the troubles and anxietics that may
haunt us, we should first with pure hearts
gratefully acknowledge thanks. and give
praises unto the Oliver Of all pleasure: after
this, We should prove our sincerity by dcro-
ting ourselves TO plcasure-giving. Let neigh
bors who have been ut variance forget their
grievances, and
"Ring In the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
Let husband and wife for q brief short Eeck
play the role OF lovers, and bring airesh IN
memory those halcyon days which Promised
30 much Of happiness TO each, and X therehas
been alienation OF hearts, let the nooler ana
the moro sensible Of the twain propose q rec.
oncilintion and a renewal OF their troth, anu
life anew in the bonds OF owe ana
friendship. And then II there is a maynard
child in the family let him be restored to the
nlaee in the hearts switch he had forfeited, and
..bring forth the best robe, and put 1t on
him; and put n ring on his hano anu
sSoes on his feet" In every family
acc little children should be thought OF ana
teredf or. They should be made happy now
hilc they may enjoy life's unalloyed pleas
. 1rcs. A Ten cent doll, or any other cheap toy,
will afford O little child uncomfortable pleas
Snre, If given In q kindly manner. Little chill
Lren should also endeavor to be more consla-
efate OF the feelings Of each other, anu 10 DC
moro loving and more ohedient to their DC
voted parents, and then, besides the conscious
ness Of q duty we'll performed. the reflected
love will repay them q thousand fold.
Those Of cur citizens who are In comiorta-
bic circumstances should not forget the poor.
The Gift OF a mere trife, If offeredin a proper
spirit, would afford great pleasure, and tend
TO unite in stronger ties the bonds OF a COM
mon brotherhood.
Especially at this season should our homes
DO made attractive and entertaining
= I'm dance and song and game and JEST
Let US net drive our boys into the streets to
meet the rabble, but let us rather shield
them by inviting them into our homes. The
Pharisaical creed which enables mice people
. with vulgar thoughts to see sin in d little
honest mirth has done much to foster cor
ruption and vice in our young men In, that
many Of them have been allowed to 60 into
. the streets to find their friends and associates,
who would, under more inviting circum-
stances, have chosen a purer atmosphere.
The tenants in England, long ago, were en-
tertained Mt the hall; and the lord Of the
manor and his family encouraged evory art
conducive to mirth.
On Christmas eve the bells were rung;
OEChristinas eve the mass was sung;
That only night. In all the year,
Saw thes toled prizes. the chalice rEar'
To vassal, tenant, Serf, and all;
Power ibid his rod OF rule aside,
And dotted his pride.
Tbe heir, with roses In bis shoes,
That night might village partner choose.
All hailed, with uncontrolled delight
And general voice. the happy night
That to the cottage, as the crown
Brought tidings Of salvation, down.
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
Twas Christmas broacbed the mightiest ale;
Twas Christmas told Cd merricst tale;
ACiristmas gambol oft would cheer
-Apoor man'sheart through half the year.