The times., 1898-12-25
SUNDAY. DECEMBER 25, 1895.
Christnnns Day.

Christmas Day.
This season properly belongs to the
children. the rest of us finding our pleas
ure in their happiness. The solemn rer-
sons who would rob them of Santa
Claus, who is their embodiment of the
spirit of parental love. are the only lugu-
brious elements in merry world. The
lay began almost with creation, and was
ore Of the features of pagan life too OBJ
viously valuable and natural to be re-
5ected when the world accepted Chris
'ianity. As long as there are children to
dominate mankind, the benefcent st.
Nicholas will live and enliven the season.
de is no myth except to the people of
narrow vision who do not know that
more things are true than ever happen.
rnd that things which seem more real are
2nly Illusions
Perhaps We take our holidays too mad
~. after our furious fashion, especially
Christmas. II may be because We take
too few to master the art of pieasuring,
carrying into it the same intensity and
hard work that We put into business and
i
fcan on a journey in search of rest and
change is regarded with wonder and dis
tress by peoples who are less in earnest
He will catch the first train, if he has 10
run for 1t. He will fret over every delay
on the way, will ride far into the night
and be off before daylight again, that no
time may be lost. To the minute, or be-
Z. r.
plunges into business with sigh of relief
at having got through with his season
of rest, every minute of which was ac-
tive. The same indomitable spirit is seen
in his Christmas arrangements, for he is
bound to make the day merry IL he has
10 bankrupt himself to buy presents.
He is the best husband and father in
the world, but he will do better when he
understands that it is not so much what
We do for one another as what we are
toward one another that promotes happi-
ness. All the platitudes about happiness
have been dinged into his ears for a CEN
t,iry, but as long as he allows himself to
be wholly absorbed in the pursuit OF
wealth the other days of the year. he is
not able TO be an artist in merrymaking
ON this day. Still, We can only repeat
what has been said year after year as
Christmas comes and hope for the time
when other arts will follow that of gain
ing wealth. We all recognize the spirit
OF good win as that which makes the
IDEAL Christmas, and that only as far as
il is an evidence or this does gift carry
real pleasure to the receiver. For that
reason nobody is deprived of the power
10 observe the day. 1t is a fortunate
characteristic of chiIdhood-where over
indulgence has not spoilt it-that it is
quite as happy over the smallest trihe in
The home of the poor as over the extray-
agant gifts that abound in the mansions
of the rich. To the mature, the supreme
duty is to forget what frets and annoys.
The Christmas face radiates pleasure that
is refreshing to all within its reach One
of the best uses of the season to the
elders is that it forces thought about the
right of others to kindly consideration.
ii Is the starting point of many reforms
in disposition. Nearly all men who have
seen sixty Christmases have become more
genial and less critical and censorious. 1t
astonishes most people TO find the truth
of old saws that were mere words in
earlier life becoming impressive as age
creeps on. That we find our best happi-
ness in making others happy is not de-
MED by anybody at any age, but it is not
clearly understood by most until after
years of failure to obtain happiness re-
gardless of the claims of others.
Religious and meditative minds have
their own serious thoughts concerning the
significance of the day to the religions
world. That is a distinctly personal and
sacred matter. Even they. however. are
inspired to joyousness by the rights of
children, in love OF whom Christ came
nearest to the great heart of all mankind
Children and love OF children, and delight
in their pleasure. are universal. In the
civilized world, at least. the young rule
with absolute authority. Not only is their
viii the law, but their interests dominate
The household. The hours of our meals
are regulated by the school bell, and the
Summer vacation begins and ceases with
liz 'AOsAAS anu pl'tiAiiS VI lHt SCHOOL
doors. Nobody is without children whose
heart is right. There is a world full OF
them ready TO respond in trust and affec-
lion 10 the advances of anybody who Is
sincere. regardless of his exterior They
are as penetrating as the Y rays, and see
the heart through the raggedest coat.
There are always children within the
power of every soul to make
happy. and it is worthy of note
that The mothers OF the world are
the first and most generous to go out to
find other children to snare the love that
is great enough for ALL The Times mere
ly repeats what has been said many times
b. those who know from experience when
fl prescrlbes for all. as cure for unhap-
piness and irritahility and world weari-