The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-12-18
AUNT N LETTER.

many of us Will feel the gracious n
fuence of this most sacred of all
holidays-Christ's birthday, or at
least the day celebrated in COM
memoration of His birth. The Puri-
tans frOwned upon the celebration,
and for many a year after they came
from the Old World, Christmas day
was spent in toll just as any ordi-
nary day. But it is said that about
q year after the arrival of the MAY
Flower" came the good ship "For-
tune" bringing a welcome, if not
very orderly, addition to Plymouth
colony. Most of the new corners
we're healthy, fun-loving young
men, who had been taught to OBJ
serve Christmas day as a holiday.
So when the Governor called the
men out to work as usual, most of
this company excused themselves
by saying it went against their con-
science to work on that day. The
Governor told them if they made it
a matter of conscience he would eX-
cuse them until they were better in
formed and he and the older men
went to their work. When they
returned at noon they found the
young members in the street at play
openly, some pitching the bar, others
playing stool ball, and other like
sports. The Governor was indig-
nant, took away their implements,
and plainly told them that it was
against his conscience that they
should play while others worked.
I wonder what would have happened
in that staid and sedate settlement
had he found those boys playing
foot ball as it is played by the boys
of the present day! In 1850 the
General Court of Massachusetts en-
acted that anybody who is found
observing by abstinence from labor,
feasting, or any other way, any such
day as Christmas day, shall pay for
every such offence five shillings."
This law was repealed in 1851 much
to the disgust of the old Puritans.
But now almost all nations celebrate
Christmas and have a Santa Claus
who bestOwes his gifts bOuntifully.
IT'S true the patron saint is called
by different names in each country,
but to the little children of each he
is known as that dear old man, no
matter what his name. l trust that
you will enjoy the day to its fullest
extent, not forgetting to help some
one not so fortunate as Yourself to
devOutly say, "This has indeed been
been u blessed day" Says Denton
"Christmas will soon be here, and
what does it mean?" Think what
it means to mankind the world over
and try to keep the day as you think
it should be kept. We are glad you
came. Denton. Come again.
Mrs. S. E. M. asks about the rho
dodendron. It grows wild in pOr-
tiOns Of Wake and Orange counties.
l was astonished to find that it grows
in Wake, but I know that it does,
for a friend brought me a large bush
in full bloom d few years since and
remarked at the time that he knew
of only one place in the county
where it could be found. The stu
dents at Chapel Hill know that it is
abundant on the hills at the old
Mason farm. I have seen much of
it in BuncOmbe county.
Yes, you are right, Flossy. It does
take a long time to rejuvenate a
a Sunday School after it has been
closed all winter. And often when
you think it is beginning to live, it
gradually dwindles away and dies
again. If we do not neglect other
duties in winter, why quit the Sun
day Schools? I join you in the hope
that nc member of our circle will
misuse the birthday of our Lord
and Master by drinking intoxicants.
You have aroused our curiosity as
to who is married. Is it Aggie? If
so, I had not heard of it. If it is, or
is not, l trust she will still be one of
US. Again, merry Christmas to all !!
AUNT JENNIE.