Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-12-25
To SANTA CLAUS.

time for learning, or art or commerce
to flourish. 1t is only when peace pre-
walls that there is time for these things.
Although Rome was despotic, vet in
her vast provinces she allowed a good
deal of liberty, and altogether there had
never been an era so fit for the coming
of the Prince Of Peace as the golden age
of Augustus.
1t was in the middle of the fourth
century that Christmas was first OBJ
served as festival. From Rome it
passed over into Asia, and as wears
elapsed it was kept in Europe. One of
the last places where Christmas was
greeted with anthems and professions,
strange to say, was Jerusalem, although
Christian worship began there.
During the Middle Ages there sprang
up in the track of Christmas what we
have all read about rs the institution of
chivalry.
There was time when nobody's life
was safe anywhere. People had to sur
round their castles and homes with deep
bitches, and then keep warders on their
draw-bridges by night and by day lest
assassins should find their way into the
hall or chamber. Bold barons, and
bands of robbers and marauders went
FOSTERING up and down the land, and
there was nothing but riot and turmoil
and plumber going on, the rule being the
right of the strongest, and only that. A
very, very bad rule
With the sweet spirit brought into
the world by Jesus there grew up rev.
fnp 10
the weak, and a resolve on the part of
the mobiles to set wrongs right if they
could
So the order of knighthood came into
being, and through the forests and over
the mountains and into the cities rode
the goodly knights, sworn to deliver all
who were in peril, and TO scorn every
mean action.
The mother of the pure and lofty
Bayard said to him. when he received
his sword, g Serve God, and He will aid
thee; be sweet and courteous to every
gentleman in divesting myself of all
pride. Be not a flatterer or tale
bearer, be loyal in word and in deed,
keep tiny word, be helpful to the poor
and orphan, and God will reward it to
thee
Can the gentlemen of to-day adopt a
better code of morals and manners?
When gradually the gloom of the
Dark Ages passed, and the invention of
printing came, so that books were null
tiplied instead of being slowly, copied
out by hand, the track of Christmas
grew wider and palmer.
In the pleasant homes of Germany
the Christ-child was lovingly remem-
bered, and the Christmas-tree was lit
by numbers of candles, and strung with
shining balls, and hung with presents.
Then came the pleasant fiction of the
good st. Nicholas with his laden pack,
his juggling bells, and his galloping
reindeer.
English children, Dutch. Spanish,
French, Norwegian. and Danish chill
dren are all in wild spirits when Christ
dren are wee bit wilder than any of the
others. The stockings are hung up in
the chimney corner, and with hearts full
of delight the little folk 90 to bed,
sternly determined to stay awake all
night.
Strangely enough. no child ever has
staid awake all night, and no boy or
girl has ever beheld the face of Santa
Claus, or ever heard the prancing of
his fleet-footed steeds, except in dreams.
But that he is real, and that he comes
some time between the dark and the
daybreak, your stockings crammed
with gifts testify.
Dear children, amid the pleasures of
the season, / beg you not to forget the
gladness which lies at the heart of
Christmas. 1t was sung by the angels.
1t was brought by the Lord Himself
when He became a little child.