The Opelousas courier., 1897-12-25
Christmas.
THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

- ~ 10 ~" pIStlf We'll COnCttttu 10y
, learned theOlogians, who have givcI
special and profound attention to the
question, that there was not any uni.
formlty OF opinion among early Christian
churches as to the precise day of the
nativity OF our Savior. There is mucl
| concurrence OF belief, however, as to
the time OF the first traces of the fes
tlvIties which his birth gave rise to
They sprung up, so historians inform
us, about $50 years after the Savior's
appearance. We are told that during
the reign OF Diociesian, multitude OF
Christians had assembled ON a festival
occasion, in Rome to celebrate the birth
day of Jesus, when he ordered the
church doors to,he closed, and setting
fire to the building, destroyed it with
all the Worshlppers in it.
Some Christians held the birthday to
be 10 May, some in April and others in
January The scriptures tell us that al
the time OF his birth, the shepherds of
Jndea were watching their tlocks by
this fact refutes the idea of his being
born on the 25th of December, because
1t Is then the rainy season of that cOun-
try which makes it improbable that they
would be on the plains guarding their
herds at night.
1t Is perhaps not generally known
that several of the nsages of heather
ism became engrafted on the customs
and practice of the Christians. A great
struggle on the part of these sprang up
at one time to combat and eradicate
some of these, and various devices and
substItutlOns were conceived, which to
il great extent had the intended effect
Some of these traces of h+athenism are
still observable in the festivals of
Christians. How many of our ordinary
readers have even heard of MaDger
songs, Christian carols and Dramas 7
With Christmas trees all are familiar,
but only the few know how they origi-
mated. Yet they give delight to our
youths, who, prompted by hopes of
pretty presents, never fail to go and ad
mire them.
Divine service is held on this day in
all the churches, aud our Roman Catho-
lie Brethren never fail to have three
masses pei formed, one ut midnight,
one at day break and one in the mora
ing. Only the English Dissenters and
the Presbyterian Church of Scotland,
reject j. i'll its religions aspect as being
a human inrentiOR, whist they cease
from their ordinary labOrs, and OBJ
serve it as a merely social holiday.
Even with us, very many practices of
which we have spoken rs having their
origin 10 ileatheDism, have been oblite
rated from our observance. as of reli
giOns duty, but we cling with tenacity
to the Christmas Turkey, etc, rs a Gus
tom of the family.
Now, we are rather fond of the GUS
tom. and as long as we can get the tur
key, we propose to keep it up. We
II f,y1 do I..t
their financial condition, may have the
proverbial turkey, around which! to
convene the members of their families.
with healthy appetites and unimpaired
digestion.
The little folks, tnn. we trust may
find abundant rewards for their good
conduct and loving hearts, in the spread
ing branches of the Christmas trees,
and that Santa Claus may not he OBJ
structed by the muddy roads and the
Bulls and Bears, from coming with an
abundance of nice aud serviceab!e
gifts to gladden. their hearts and make
them happy.
In short, we sincely hope that all our
good people are blessed with health,
peace, plenty and contentment and that
they recognize the fact that whether our
blessed Savior was born OH the 25th of
DeC., vi Ill hdy vi III iplttf NC
not neglect to recognize him as the
Savior of all who love Him, and make
the festival established TO celebrate his
birth an occasion for universal enjoy
ment.
The suffrage question is one of the
leading subjects for consideration at
the constitutional convention. The idea
OF an educa tional qualification, which
will bar out the ignorant negroes and
foreigners who usually go where there is
the most money and who cause corrupt
methods 10 be used in all parties, is
being generally agitated. Against any
limit to Suffrage the PopulIsts of the
state are opposed. Here is what the
Monroe platform Of the party has to say
on the matter: "We declare that the
paramount issue i'll tue approaching
campaign is to put an end to the regime
Of fraud in Louisiana elections and the
restoration and maintenance OF pure
and honest ballot, which will express
and enforce the will of freelnen. We
denounce the attempt to disfranchlse
any class of citizens by devious, degard-
ing and fraudulent restrictions OF the
suffrage which are intended merely to
perpetuate il monopoly of the spoils OF
office. We declare that every man
twenty -one years old, and of the neces-
sary residence, who discharges all the
duties Of citizenship, including the pay
ment OF poll tax, shall have the right
Of suffrage in Louisiana; that such poll
tax should be devoted exclusively to the
public school funds and the poll tax re-
ceipt constitute the voters registration
papers.
General Gordon, commander Of the
Confederate Veteran Association. has