New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-25
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS.
mot WHAT WE GIVE. BUT WHAT WE
SHARE" MAKES THE DAY HAPPY.
CATHOLIC GENEROSITY IN THOUGHT. INSTEAD OF
PURITAN NARROwNESs. IS THE SENT
MENr OF THE AGE-OARoLs
AND SERVICES.

AND SERVICES
fA.s than half a century ago the spirit Of Christ
naa as shown to-day was scarcely dreamed or
while the Oldest inhabitant will assert that IN MS
boyhood the idea Of feasting and frolickine ana
m king long holiday in this busiest season OF the
year was wholly unknown The day passed as d
hind of extra Sunday without any further ooserva-
tion Tbi. was naturally the result Of the Puritan
influence so long felt, and New-Engand did not
adopt q more genial attitude In this regard TOT
hsny years after the Middle and Southern states
had fallen into the habit OF burning the fuieuoe
los.
While feasts, In the way Of great banQuets, were
s,v~n I'm England from time immemorial. tho GUS
tom of exchanging or rather bestowiEg gifts
comes from Germany How different tho simple
habit a. praotised In the fatherand II from thst
now known! Presents. in the far-gone pr1mi'Ve
daxs were hung upon tho indispensable trce. with
only, tho name Of the person for whom they were
intended attached The donor did not declare him
SELF Yet something is missed. too. IN such prao-
tcs for II the spirit OF giving and receiving is SIN
cere one must feel as Lowell has 90 sweetly said'
that II -
30. VIA: s ;ys but =, Wat s,, ~ oar ar.
psrh.ps more than any other writer IN the Eng
N.h language Dickens has been influential In estab-
fishing the beauty and significance OF Christmas
Day a. one to be specially sacred to home ana 10
be celebrated with tho exercise OF generosity IN
arc feeling this influence to-day. Tho hoerahty
Nth which appeals from all parts OF tho country
for holiday cheer for tho unfortunate ana mccoy
ara met shows that the desire 10 share Is on tho
increase It 10 longer possible for people 10 DO
we'll fed and clothed and housed and be comfort
able IN the enjoyment Of their good things. whhe
the Door go hungry away" Fashion-set always
not by the demand OF the public, but by the will
and invention Of the manufacturer and trader. who
seeks ever a market for his wares-has brought the
gift-exchanging custom TO the point OF exirava-
gance; but much good Is accomplished when the
poor who can make return. are the recipients or
a part OF the lavish expenditures. It has been as
serted that more money would be spent In this city
for gifts alone during the present holiday season
than was expended by the entire United States for
such purposes In tho years prior to the war.
II cannot be claimed that generosity is the true
spirtt actuatng all the outlay for charity The re-
sut may be as satisfactory to tho beneficiary but
the donor who has from worthy motive made
his gift will lose his own rightful share IN the
pleasure connected with It.
II is said that the love for homo WILL IN another
generation or two, be unknown emotion on this
continent 1t 10 claimed that tho spirit OF homo is
diving, in many a person. in fact. It has never lived
The loss to those who have not experienced It, VIII
never be realized. but something will be missed
from the completed character that no amount OF
culture can compensate for. II anything can pre-
ssrve or cultivate the attachment for the land Of
ons,s birth the homo Of ones forefathers the vine
and Ar tree of ones abiding place. however
small or however great. II will be this spirit OF
Christmas this giving forth and taking in Of peace
and goodwill fguratvely and literally
To paraphrase the word OF Far1eon In christ
mas tale OF long ago, may find that little
more consideration Of class for class. and there
fore Of man for man. little more understanding OF
the moor by the RICH and therefore tolerance OF the
rich by the poor; q higher value put upon TRUTH
and a quicker appreciation and behef In integrity
will spread a. Christmas goodwill further than gifts
Of gold. - o.1o,s
One OF the oldest carols sung now Is the ever "a
ml,ar Christmas Hymn" which was first published
n 1896 and is sung to Handles music known as
Christmas"
CHRISTMAS HYMN.
While shepherds watched their nocks by night.
IN. snss s's ef The o. L ord ss%s
And glory shone around
Had seised their troubled MIND.
o'a H. ,S yoa .S 81 s 81 ma INK bring
fYsIS Born m o Q; pasd sI" Inc sn'' o''
The Saviour, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign
THE heavenly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed
All n saH wrapped appel IN I. ,,STathins-b bands
Thus spake the seraph: and forthwith
Appeared shining throng
- VINO thus s' addressed ea It th "F" song:
"All glory be to God on high.
And to the earth be peace:
Goodwill henccforth from heaven 10 men
Begin and never cease"
Come and will sing you.'
what will you sing me?'
s SSyP1 an y, old old English tone and
q tne operettas OF this season the English stage