Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-12-20

sometimes two, with the addition OF
half dozen other fowls
IN THE UNITED STATES FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Speaking of Christmas, the Niles
Register of January II, 1918, says:
"1he different manner in which the
anniversary of the Nativity is observ-
ed in different parts OF the United
States is worthy of remark. In Boston
it seems to be partially observed on
the 25th, by a recommendation in tho
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 tho
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 20 the southwark
of IL, thestores were shut up, the banks
closed, and business suspended as on
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 thoy only, believe, were publish
ed on that day"
WHEN THE CUSTOM OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS
ORIGINATED.
Christmas gifts had their origin in
the Roman Paganalia, which was in
stituted by Servius Tullius, +. C. 500.
On these festivals, celebrated Mt 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
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 commence
rating the event which gave a Divine
Redcemer to u 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-
irming friendships, but for II universal
manifestation of generosity and chart
| ty from the rich to the poor, in olden
times this benciiccnce being extended
even TO the lower animals, a. practice
to which Burns alludes in The Auld
Farmers Address to his Mare.
TIE GERMAN CHRISTMAS TREE.
The Christmas tree on Christmas Eve,
in Germany and the north of Europe.
as also very extensively in America, is
splendor and delight to the eyes and
imaginations of all children. and, in
fact, forms the grandest feature in the
fcstal season of Christmas among tho
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 30 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 1875. 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
tho custom had Pagan origin, and
refer to the beautiful Druidical custom
OF hanging up in the house boughs Of
green, TO which the wood-spirits might
resort to 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 festfvity-
cheerful as becoming tho 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 I'll, the bright
blue heaven of hope, radiant with the
golden sunshine of happiness. Sc
lected.
| Cthil6ra1n aud tho Church