Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-12-21
sometimes two, with the addition OF
half a dozen other fowls

uhii ~ uOLtn OtHtI lOWlF
IN THE UNITED STATES FIFTY YEARsAGO.
Speaking OF Christmas, the Niles
Register of January IL, 1918, says:
1.-The different manner in which the
anniversary Of the Nativity is ebserv-
ed in different parts OF the United
States is worthy of remark. In Boston
IL seems 10 be partially observed on
the 25th, by a recommendation in the
public papers TO abstain from business,
and by some concerts of sacred music
in the evening. In New York some
of the stores were shut up; but the
theatre was open in the evening, and
Mr.. Cooper played George Barnwell.
In Philadelphia about one-half the
people paid some attention to the day;
but in Baltimore, and to the southwark
OF it, the stores were shut up, the banks
closed, and business suspended as on "A
Sunday. The churches also were for
the most part opened in the morning,
and the afternoon was given TO refresh
ment and mirth, being an almost uni
versal holiday. The only daily papers
published in the United States, north
ward of New York, are two at'BostOn,
and they only, believe, were publish
ed on that day"
WHEN TIE CUSTOM OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS
ORIGINATED.
Christmas gifts had their origin in
the Roman Paganalia, which was in
| sthuted by Servius Julius, b. c. $50.
On these festivals, celebrated at the
| beginning Of the year, an altar was
erected in every village, and to the
box placed upon it every man, woman
and child was expected to contribute "a
coin. Aubrey speaks of pot in which
Roman coins were found, and supposed
to be one OF these Paganalian vessels.
The Christmas box naturally arose
from this Pagan New Years book. There
is an impressive propriety and tender
beauty, however, in thus commemo-
rating the event which gave a Divine
Redcemer TO lost world-the greatest
| gift that is conceivable to mankind.
1t is, moreover, an equally appropriate
custom which makes the season one
not only of composing and forgetting
old quarrels. and renewing and con-
tirming friendships. but for universal
manifestation Of generosity and chari-
ty from the rich TO the poor in olden
times this benefcence being extended
even to the lower animals, a practice
to which Burns alludes in The Aud
! Farmers Address TO his Mare.
THE GERMAN CHRISTMAS TREE.
The Christmas tree on Christmas Eve,
in Germany and the north OF Europe,
as also very extensively in America, is
a splendor and delight to the eyes and
imaginations Of all children. and, in
fact, forms the grandest feature in the
festal season OF Christmas among the
northern European nations, being
often called the Children's Festival.
The Christmas tree seems to be very
ancient custom in Germany rem
nant, probably, of the splendid and
fanciful pageants of the middle ages.
The custom was early introduced Into
this country by the German immi-
grants, but was hardly known to Eng
land till within the present century
The first forming of the Christmas
tree in England is believed TO have
been done by German in the house
hold OF Queen Caroline, wife of George
w., who saw few happy Christmas
tree after her marriage in 1898 The
custom did not become general there
till prince Albert came over from Ger
many to be the husband Of Queen
Victoria, and since then it has become
almost universal in that country.
The beautiful custom of adjoining
the house with evergreen during the
Christmas holidays is ascribed to var
ious causes. Those who have taken
the Christian view of the matter refer
to those expressions, so frequently met
with in the prophetical writings, where
green boughs are spoken of as orna-
ments of the sanctuary and signs OF
rejoicing. Others have affirmed that
the custom had Pagan origin, and
refer TO the beautiful Druidical custom
OF hanging up in the house boughs Of
green, TO which the wood-spfrits might
resort 10 shelter them from the nip
ping blasts of winter.
THE PROPER WAY TO CELEBRATE.
Let Christmas be consecrated to the
communion of religious worship and
to social festivity; to worship solemn,
not gloomy-but OF hearts full of graf
itude and love; TO social festivity-
cheerful as becoming the day; let
friends be remembered, and the poor
feel that they are included in our sym
plthies. In every heart let there be
peace and love; and over al, the bright
blue heaven OF hope, radiant with the
golden sunshine of happiness. Sc
lected.
Children and the Church.
fam ya.rG ano daal mo.