The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-12-13
GOOD CHRISTMAS HINTS
SER1LON ON THE USE AND ABUSE OF
 GIVING BY REF. WH. MOORE.

Should be-Practical Words for Every one-Music at the Evening Service and a Large Attendance. At the First Baptist church yester- day morning Rev. Addison Moore, the pastor, preached Q sermon especially adapted to the season on 'The Closing Near taking as the basis of his re- marks the words of the psalmist "We spend our years as tale that is told" From these words the preacher drew much comfort, showing that a tale that had been told was not necessarily gone forever, but it's influence continued to live on. Thus Homer for a piece of gold recited a piece of poetry and this lives on to-day, even long after the time of Homer. Again, it was told King Clovis in the early centuries that Christ had been crucified. Clovis said, Had been present I would have pre- vented the cruciflxion.'' The story of Christ's life and crucifiXion spread from the court of Clovis through Germany and northern Europe. In the same manner our years, even after they are spent, may yet live to bless the future tor ourselves and others.
 The evening services at the First Baptist church are especially interest," ing and well attended. The musical programmes at these evening services are gotten up with a great deal of care and are very attractive. The regular choir is assisted by an antiphonal cho- rus of twenty-four voices. Last even- ing there was a soprano solo by Mrs Horton, with violin obligato by Miss Belle Sigourney; a baritone solo by Mr. Edgar, a violin offertory by Miss Sig ourney; anthem by the regular choir and music by the choir, assisted by the antiphonal choir.
 The pastors sermon was on "The Use and Abuse of Christmas Giving" and was a thoroughly practical as well as interesting discussion of a question of general interest. He spoke in substance as follows:
 "And there was great joy in that city''-Acts S:S.
 It is greatly to be 1amented that when our worthy forefathers declared that in America all would have right to the pursuit of happiness they did not at the same time set up lamps to mark out the royal road to joy. For lack of such guiding we pursue many promis ing lights that turn out to be but will o'-the-wisps. Especially in the matter of holiday happiness have we gone astray. With Memorial day desecrat- ed, and Thanksgiving day likewise turned into a day for sport, it was to be expected that Christmas day would also come to be in danger of losing It's sacredness. That the great football game was played on the Saturday be- fore the holiday, and not on Thanks giving day itself is a matter for con- graduation for New Haven. Certainly the large audience at Center church and the thoughtful gatherings in other churches. where municipal righteous ness was preached, may be looked upon as happy omen of return to the con- secrated use of our one unique, relig- 5a,ls national holiday? But what of Christmas tide happiness? For take it that what the world wants at Christ mastide is simply to be happy. There certainly was a time when
 A Christmas gambo oft could cheer the Poor mans heart through half the year.
 but to-day we are in danger of making Christmas time of trouble rather than of cheer.
 It is the spirit of the age to crowd too much into any given space of time, and it is the misfortune of the age that it carries this everyday rush and roar into Christmas tide. And the most prolific source of rush and roar, Of wear and tear, and hurry and anxiety, is to be found in the abuse of Christ mas giving. In simpler times people, young and old, looked forward to Christmas as the brightest spot in the year. and remembered it with tender regret; in these times it is altogether too common a thing to find tired people selling in the shops, and tired people buying in frenzy of haste; both buy CT and seller pettish and anxious and depressed, when they should be serene and sweet-spoken and full-hearted, and ali because the purchasing of presents has become a bore instead of pleas ure; because the bloom of the flower of giving has been worn off in the mag nitude of the preparations to give.
 GIVING IS A JOY.
 At any time and should be doubly so at Christmas. If it is not it is because human nature becomes exhausted in the week before "the gladdest day ot all the year," exhausted by the burden of selecting in q hurry gifts that are made grudgingly, and that are too Of ten received even more reluctantly than they are given. But a reform may cas- ily be instituted; first of all, by recog- nizing only the natural recipients oi your loving remembrance at Christmas time. The joy of the day is put sadly out of tune by expedient gifts, sent only to add another round in your social commercial or political ladder. Sec ondly, by beginning the selection ot such loving gifts early in the year. Int weeks immediately following Christmas are wonderfully alive with lessons upor true values, and furnish excellent op portunities to lay away treasures fol use next Christmas Happiness is elu siye even under the most favorable cir cumstances; but your Christmas joy will be more easily found if it is freed from the usual accompaniment of the bewildered, excited and nervous statt of mind which our modern customs in duce.
 It is unfortunate that people whC serve the churches and the clubs, anG