The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-18
SAINT NICHOLAS.

Saint Nicholas was the most popular of the
saints in the Middle Ages No other whose
name is in the calender was applied TO by
more people, or by those who we're more UNI
like in character and circumstances He was
made the patron of the common people, Of
laborers, of prisoners, OF slaves, or travellers,
sailors, butchers, robbers, clerks scholars,
and in very special manner of good girls
and OF boys He has been made the patron
saint of Russia much lin the same way that
st. George is the patron Of England.
OF the life OF this saint nothing is known
with certainty. The most trustworthy ac-
count says that he was a native of Patara in
Lycia. As TO the time of his birth it is less
confident. The supposed date is in the third
century Of our era, and his life possibly ex-
tended into the fourth century. He is men
toned most frequently as having lived under
the reign OF Constantine the Great.
Nicholas was Bishop of Myria in Lycia.
About six hundred years after his death his
body was removed from that place to Bari,
on the Southeastern coast of Italy. He had
already become famous at the time OF this
removal, and his reputation for performing
miracles continued TO grow rapidly.
As specimen of what was reported 10 his
credit, Sir Richard Torkington, who made a
pilgrimage 10 the Holy Land in 1917, tells
the following: I'VE passed the Isle of Seynt
Nicholas wher be tooles made OF Iron that
never lose Their edgge by myracle OF Seynt
Nicholas; as they say saw it mott"
The day which, in the calendar, is dedi-
Gated to Saint Nicholas is the 9th Of Deem
Der. 1t is surprising 20 find the observance
of that day postponed TO the Christmas hoh-
days. When the change took place, and
how it was brought about would not be easy
TO discover at this day. That this obser-
vance and our present usage of making pres
ents at Christmas are one and the same prac-
tice will be seen from the following account
OF the custom given by an early English
writer:
From a very early day it has been Gus
tomary, on the eve OF st. Nicholass Day,
for children 10 put their stockings, shoes, or
slippers in the bedrooms of those from whom
they expect or desire favors, when, sure
enough. next morning their little feet-pieces
are replete with sweetmeats, toys, or coins"
The manner of observing st. Nicholas's
Eve Is described by poet of two or three
hundred years ago at considerable length.
Room can be found here for only few lines:
"Children on the eve do cause to fast;
Ana when they every one at night in senseless sleep
Both apples, nuts and pears they bring, and other
As caps, and shoes, and pettIcoats, which secretly
they hide,
And in the morning found. they say that this St.
Nicholas brought"
This shows that at that time in England
presents were made on the eve of the 9th Of
December, instead of at Christmas as now.
In the Greek Church and in the north OF
Europe, however, schoolboys still invoke the
hberality of st. Nicholas, or Santa Claus as
he is now commonly called, on that night.
How st. Nicholas could become patron to
characters so unlike as robbers and good
boys is a matter now difficult TO understand.
There is n ballad relating TO his patronage OF
boys which is one of the most popular ever
written, It's story is as painful as that Of
the Babes in the Wood" Strange it is
that themes most narrowing are most popu-
lar.
As to this saints patronage of robbers, we
only know that such was the relation High
waymen were called St Nicholass clerks.
Rowley says: II think yonder come pranc-
ing down the hills, from Kingston couple
of St Nicholass clerks"