The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-12-25

quite in accord with the injunction to
love our neighbors as ourselves. The
fundamental principle Of the Christian
religion is exemplifed in the gift. All
the forms of the days celebrations
are protestations against selfishness.
Christ constantly insisted upon self
denial, self-restraint and self-subordi-
nation. Ones duty to others is vari-
ously enjoined in the Scriptures.
Therefore the Christmas-gift comprises
the essence of the religion He taught
"a religion which, Installing charity
into the hearts of men, was to make
all men happier through the efforts Of
each individual to make his fellow hap
pier. The modern method of comment
Grating the Advent is entirely fitting,
even though we give ourselves over to
the Good Genius of the Christmas-trec,
with only incidental regard to the bells
that knoll to church," The most inn
portant Observance is that beneath the
branches Of the gift-bearing evergreen,
where all hearts grow young in the at
mosphere of goOd-cheer and loving
kindness. 1t Is there that each one
sees the happy results of his own
beneficence and finds his full reward
in the consciousness of the pervading
gladness. Such is the blessedness of
practical Christianity; such the beauti-
full outcome of religion intended to
solace, to ameliorate and to cOmpen-
sate-a religion of Master who finds
His most grateful worship in the kindly
acts of his children .'one to another"
Here, in America. the spirits and
elves and genii of ancient lore have not
thrived in the popular fancy. Even
such superstitiOns as the Puritans
brought over were forgotten or ignored
BY their children. The occupation of
the New World kept their minds too
busy with the duties at hand to allow
them to ponder upon the supernatural.
The American with each succeeding
generation grew more practical-mind-
ed, and the Christian fairies slipped
into oblivion along with the faith in the
divine right of Kings. Kris Kringle
survived because he was q convenient
appropriation and because, perhaps,
he was such an extravagant old fellow
whose largess was quite in harmony
with the somewhat prodigal American
disposition. But he alone has sur
vived. He alone has any sort of actu-
atty to the American child. Cinderel-
Ia and Queen Titania and all the rest
Of them are read of and enjoyed, but
without much faith in their existence.
They are contemplated rather as
charming creature of admitted unreal
ity. But ST. Nicholas is still expected,
and eyes are shut to his mythical nat
ure, despite base-burners and registers
and furnaces. Force child to a con-
fessiOn of belief or unbelief in his real
ity, the decision would probably be in
the negative; but the delusion is fOndly
cherished. Notwithstanding. He is, as
remarked, such delightful convent.
ence. He invests the Christmas-tree
with just enough mystery to give ex-
quisiteness to the pleasure of its un-
veiling-and long may he live to defy
the image-breaking spirit of the age!
He is the embodiment of good cheer;
the genial instrument of impartial be-
nevOlence. He does not object if all his
gifts bear the signet of father or moth
er, uncle or aunt, neighbor or friend.
He is quite above such trivial incOngru-
tiles. The sentiment Of mutual good
will remain. Such is his mission; such
was the mission of the angels who sang
to the Shepherds of Judea.-G. c.
Matthescs, in Current.