Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-12-24
PEACE AND GOOD WILL.
Meditatfons on the Merry Feast OF
Christmas Tide observance
Remember the Needy.

Remember the Needy.
Merry Christmas" will be the univer-
sal greeting tomorrow. 1t will be heard
in many Rock Island homes and house
holds bright and early in the morning. For
wears and centuries these two words have
rung out in the pslatial residences of the
rich, and echoed through the scantily
furnished homes Of the poor. 1t is most
boisterous in its gladness in the homes OF
health, but it has also made its way into
the abiding places of sickness and suffers
ing. The hale and hearty exchange the
compliments of the day; the pale and
patient sufferers smile in recognition of
the well wishes. The merry greeting
will first be heard in the nurseries; it
will become the morning salutation as the
members of the family gather about the
breakfast table 1t will be uttered on
the streets AS friends and acquaint>
ances meet during the day. the first.
thought that prompts words from the lips
will be Merry Christmas. The greetings
will be heard in the hotels; at the door of
the church and in every public meeting
place. The glad tidings will be voiced
from the pulpit and from the stage. and
visitors will be welcomed everywhere
with Merry Christmas. Business
cares and perplexities will be forgotten.
and everybody will be intent on extend
ing merry greeting to his neighbor,
friend and relative Young and old, rich
and poor, sick and well, Catholic and Pro.
testsnt, will all observe the holiday and
give vent TO their observances by greet
ing their fellows with a wish for their
enjoyment and a hope for peace on
earth, good will toward men," Unfortu.
nate the being who will witness the COM
ing and going of tomorrows sun with-
out having some one extend to him
the greeting of the happy Christmas day.
II there is home IN Rock Island where
the fire does not glow warm and bright,
casting its rays upon happy countenances
about it, it should not be the fault of
neighbors. If you know of a family in
sickness, sorrow, need or distress tomor>
row, and by a little exertion on your
part, ray of sunshine can be shed
upon that unhappy circle, and you fail Il
extend that comfort, you have neglected
duty which you may in the future re-
greet. 1t does not always take rich
present to make happiness. In remem'
bering the poor their needs should bt
considered. and there will be many q
home in Rock Island tomorrow wherein
the monorouy of many days of misery
can be broken by taking few cents from
ore expensive presents for some one
who will have plenty, and giving them t.
those who would otherwise witness the
days advent and departure, without th,
least thing to distinguish it from the othe
days. Remember the poor at Christina
tide; remember those who are less fortu.
nate than you, If it only be by kind,
greeting Of Merry Christmas.
WHAT Is CHRIsTMAs7
| Christmas is the commemoration of tn,
birth of Jesus CT Nazareth. There il
not one of the special customs which
center in Christmas that has not had a
definite origin or is without particula
significance. To every child no name i
so familiar in connection with this day
as is that of the ever jolly imaginary be,
ing. kind Santa Claus. Even befor,
there was any Christmas, there lived il
Asia Minor man Damed Nicholas Jus
what he did or where he lived no one cal
| tell But after his decrease he WAS re
membered as one who always helped tn
weak, protected csptives. cared 70
slaves, was tue guardian of young girl
and the lover of all children. Tit
piety Of early christians canOnized hiI
and long ago the name of St. NichOla
went wherever the religion Of Christ wa
taken Finally the name of Santa Clau
was adopted as means of adding to th
Joys of children on Christmas morning
and the days when in childho0d's innC
cence when the stocking was hung in III
lchimDey corner on Christmas eve are re
membered as the bappiest in life TINT
II has become general custom to dec
crate the homes and hearths with holl
and mistleto during the holiday weel
giving a brightness to indoor appeal
ancos. The custom dates back severn
centuries
oBsERvANCEs.
The Sunday schools of the Broadwa
Presbyterian and the First Bapti!
churches will have their Christmas tree
tonight.
The Rock Island stove works shut dow
this afternoon for the holidays, afte
making each employ present of a ia
turkey.
Manager II A. Wickham, OF the Wi
Der Lyceum Theatre company, will gi,
his company Christmas supper at th
Harper tomorrow night
There will be general suspension
business tomorrow. Freight department
of the railroads will suspend The post
office, city, county and other publ
buildings will be closed.
Services will be held in Trinity churc
at 80 and at midnight tonight, wht
the sacrament will be administered /
1890 tomorrow morning, and 7:30 in Il