Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-22

haunts, called by courtesy home we
must extend the right hand of fellowship,
ard bid God-speed. 1t is sometimes a COM
fort to reflect that no matter how badly
the world may treat us, our condition is
not as hopeless as that Of yet another
whom fortune has Knocked and happiness
deserted. That other is the one whom we
should reach out after and upon whom we
should best0w a bit of our greater bounties.
Our first duty, of course, is to those
nearest and dearest to us, but it Is not
meet that we should expend upon them
all our energies, nor yet upon our friends.
The gift-making that becomes duty is a
dreary farce, and loses to us the delightful
essence of the season. When Christmas
giving descends to the level of a business
proposition, simply fair exchange of pres
ents with-a sense of obligation discharged,
the custom is degraded and we are sensiDly
lowered III our own esteem. One of the
Surest indications of good breeding is the
ability to make acceptable presents in an
acceptable manner. The value of a pres
ent should never be the measure of it's &C.
ceptability, and it never is with the incest
people.
snowy present given, ostensibly, for it's
costly character, calls attention to the fact
that the donor is person of coarse in
stincts, devoid of taste and breeding. Cost
illness in surroundings and benefits be-
slowed are the only ways that some reo-
pie have of showing that they possess mon
ely and you do not. Presents bestowed in
that way smack of patronage and conde-
scension, and that Is something that no
self-respecting American can endure for a
moment The true woman gives from her
heart and not from her purse, and her
presents always bring pleasure. because
good taste and judgment have guided the
selection, and the monetary value has not
once obtruded itself before her. nor will it
to you, unless you have been an ungrateful
recipient.
The Children Come First.
1t cannot be denied that present giving
has got to be a terrible strain, and that We
come perilously near the edge of deserving
the criticism of our foreign friends, who
say that we are vulgarly fond of display.
We air this folly at home and abroad. Our
social functions are made the medium for
the greatest display of all, and from christ
ening to coffin We overdo the matter all
along the line. 1t is 'In-Amercan. If the
democracy of a republican form of govern
Tnent means anything, it means simplicity,
and ii is unpatriotic TO degrade our institu-
tons, whether public or private, by an os-
tentatious display of wealth. 1t is quite
time that we get away from the CONNER
cial exchange of courtesies, and back to
the beautiful Christmas customs of by
gone days when the presents given had a
purpose, and that purpose was not to ex-
plot the riches of the gver.
The children come first, of course. 1t
may be that in your home there are no
childish feet to patter down the stairs in
the gray Christmas light to the stocking
hung close to the chimney. Perhaps the
child that crept into your arms last Christ
mas to show its presents lies under the
drifting leaves in Gods acre, and your
heart is too o'e to enter into the joys of
the day as it comes to others. For that
one day, at least, nurse your sorrow in ST.
lence, and do not let your sad thoughts
intrude themselves upon those about you.
Perhaps the little one who has slipped
from your arms had playmates less fortu-
nate than herself. You might lavish on
them some of the wealth of affection that
fills your aching heart and in the self
effacement there would come much comfort.
1t was a lesson of self-abnention such as
this that the Christ child taught and If we
would enjoy to the fullest extent the bless
ings of the anniversary We must practice
the preceptS of Him whom it comment
crates.
The Friendly Hand.
Perhaps you have prospered far beyond
some of your friends in the year that has
passed. 1t may be that while your path
has seemed to be rose-covered that of your
friends has been strewn with shards, flint
and pebbles. There are many ways in
which you can make the day brighter for
her and the season holier. Not by charity,
in the shape of a present, for charity Is
cold comfort to one who needs instead
encouraging word, friendly grasp of the
hand, a sign that she has not been for
gotten, though the gay world that was
once at her feet has turned aside from her.
Some one said not long ago that the most
pathetic sentiment ever expressed, and the
truest, was that Sorrows crown of sor-
is remembering happier things" i
doubt not that this is so. Never to have
possessed is never to have enjoyed Never
TO have enjoyed is never to have regretted.
Those who are born poor and distressed
take charity kindly, nay, demand it and
hair ltIn Ion Cor
joys that are out of their reach, but the
sense of bereavement, the bitterness of
loss, never enters into their desire for pos
session, and that element of regret must
be forever lacking. But to those who have
always been bestowers of benefits the &C
ceptance of charity is the keencst torture.
Yet reversals of fortune such as this are
common in this country of sudden changes,
sorrow" Is in remembering at this season
the happier things of the dear. dead
days. 1t takes the gentlest tact, the most
thoughtful grace of a true-born gentle
woman to make the Christmas anniversary
one of pleasure to these.
Spirit of Christmas Giving.
Then there are the pocr-those who have
never known what 1t is to have enough to
eat or clothes enough to keep them warm.
They are legion, and you do not have to
seek them, for they are at your very doors.
Remember them as literally as lies within
your means. BE merciful after thy power.
If thou hast much. give plenteously; if
thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to
give Of that little; for so gatherest thou
myself a good reward in the day Of neces-
sity." do thy diligence gladly to give of
that little;;" that is the essence of the spirit
of Christmas giving.
And so, whatever may be our circum-
stances, let us endtayor to make this
Christmas day as merry and as joyful to
ourselves and those around us as possible.
If absent ones are thought of let them be
remembered with gladness. If reverses
and sorrows have come with the year just
ending let us bury them on Christmas eve.
To the discouraged let us be healthful
and lfe-giving stimulant, ever mindful of
the power of q sunny and buoyant exam
pie. Let us make our crosses seem as light
as possible to those who love us. Let
frowns be buried in smiles just for day,
the merriest, happiest day of all the year.
Try the panaCea of laughter on the sick,
better than all the medicines ever invented.
Wherever there exists sorrow let us try,
even If we can do ever so little, to wipe 1t
away for the day. If ingratitude has come
to us, let us believe that there must exist
a cause of which We know not. If the
spirit Of unforgiveness has come to any of