The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-12-28
The Holidays.

ga locker on here in Vienna" during
the days Immediately proceeding and
following Christmas may see much that
is interesting and instructive in the be-
havior of his fellow men during season
that has remarkable effect upon hu-
mainly, Nearly all are softened and
made more kindly and charitable by the
unseen Christmas spirit that seems to
pervade the atmosphere. Some, it is
true, are made more selfish. They see
in the holiday custom opportunities of
gain, and, their cupidity being excited,
they regard with extravagant hopeful
ness those from whom they may expect
presents, while scheming how they may
observe the customs of the day at the
least expense to themselves. Others
there are whose lives have been embit-
tered by misfortune and whose envious
dispositions are aggravated by the pros
perlty and happiness of their nelghbors.
These will sometimes resent kindnesses
as studied insults, and return or destroy
presents intended for their good, but
these classes of men are happily in a
minority. The greater number enter
the holiday with the true Christmas
spirit, which is that of "Peace on earth,
goodwill to men," They really feel
within them an unusual impulse OF kind
ness and generosity, aud for the time
being are wholly unselish. They want
to make others happy, and in doing so
find their own happiness increased.
Useful lessons are learned in the holi
day season, not the least important OF
which is the truth OF the old saying
at is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive," The rightly constituted man
or woman certainly receives more hap
piness from viewing the delight which
he has given to others than he derives
from any favors extended to himself.
There is no good reason why the
Christmas feeling should not extend
throughout the whole year, and the OBJ
servance of Christmas customs promotes
their continued exercise. Present Civ
ing in itself is only one way of giving
expression to that feeling. II may be
manifested at all times by kindly actions,
considerate behavior and the cultiva
ton of an unselfish interest in the wei
fare of others. 1t is during Christmas
week that some people learn for the
first time the great truth that those who
think and care for others rather than
for themselves have the highest enjoy
ments this life affords. They may have
repeated it IN creed or proverb year af
ter year, but they never realize it until
they have ascertained Its truth by ex-
perience-such an experience as came
to old Scrooge in the Christman carol
Of Charles Dickens. That fanciful tale,
worth reading whenever Christmas ap
proaches, tells in a very pleasant way
how selfish nature was transformed |
by the opportunity afforded it to see
men as they are. Everybody cannot
have the privilege of old Scrooge in the
guidance of the spirits of Christmas,
but everybody may have his final ex
periences, which made him a happy |
man because he had learned to care
for Others and interest himself IN their
welfare. One may make a good be |
ginning by reading the Christmas CAROL
1t breathes the true spirit of the holiday
season, and is filled with lessons that
the least selfish of mankind may take
home to themselves as guides to their |
conduct. If it should invite one to
emulate Scrooge in making amends for
an ill-spent life, it will bring to him the
same kind of happiness that Scrooge
found, tor there is nothing higher or
better than an approving conscience. ,
The holidays have their lessons for all
time, and those who enter most heartily
into the true enjoyments of the season
are made better for the year that is to
come.-BaAtimoye San.