Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-26
Letter From Columbia.
To the Tobacco Loaf.onronlole.I

To the Tobacco LeafChronicle.I
Yule tide comes on apace. Wag-
ons-are bringing in the famous tree
adOwn whose mysterious stack and
from whose mysterious branches old
Santa Kringle or Kriss Claus, OF
some such name as that, is expected
to emerge, ere long, and pour bless
ings upon the wee ones from the
crowns of their heads to the soles Of
their feet, and all intermediate sta
tions; blessings around their little
necks, over their shoulders, in their
breast pockets, side pockets, skirt
pockets, pant pockets, all over their
heads, their hands, their feet. How
orthodox the little ones are. They
believe in an internal work, and are
looking for candy, cake, nuts,
oranges, apples, and thousand and
one (?) little things to cater to the
palate. They believe IN a demon
strative yule tide, too. Yes, sir.
Many young might in Pekin" will
turn loose its pyrotechnical illumina-
ton amid the rhapsodical jubilations
of happy childhood. AS / left Mrs.
Duncan's room a moment ago she
add some young ladies were debating
the rightness or the wrongness of the
time-hOnored up-the- chimney delu-
sion. Our young friend from the
Golden Gate has serious doubts
about the matter. She is pious.
Why not let the children
enjoy the sweet little myth. Its
unfolding and its lesson awakens
bright and blessed thoughts of Him
who brings to us "every good and
perfect gift.' You know our Bible
teaches US that these "cometh down
from the Father of lights" and the
truth may be more deeply impressed
upon our wee ones, if properly
taught, when they realize that they
have hitherto followed and enjoyed
"a cunningly devised fable" But
are we to do evil that good may
come? No! The burden of proof lies
upon thou who charge evil upon the
Uhristendom-wide practice of old
Santa.
Well, as l was going to say, we
little folks are on tiptoe. Our Sun
day-school will put a tree in our
church, and many hearts are expec.
tant.
| am now well nigh around on pas
tolal visiting. Hard work. Many,
many times have 1 received the
heartfelt thanks of good men and
women for the reading of appropriate
scripture and short prayer. There
is warm place in the hearts of good
people for faithful pastor. Many
changes have taken place in Column
bia Methodism since l first came
here twelve years ago, yet 1 am
glad to find nearly one hundred in
these congregations. There are two
stations and two pastors here now,
who were brought to Christ and into
his church during my quadrennium
here. The financial condition of the
congregation is improved. The in
terror of the church editice beautiful,
and much better parsonage has been
provided than formerly. Bank fail
ures here have paralyzed finances for
time, but like the Methodism of
your city, our people are pressing to-
ward success for the present confer
ence year. Our Sunday-school and
social meetings are good. We are
making an earnest effort by every
possible means to band together, Of
fensive and defensive, for the up,
building of Christ's kingdom and
the salvation of sinners.
Wishing you and your many
readers a merry Christmas and a
happy New Year,
Il. j. DUNCAN.