The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-12-25
THE cHRIsTMAs sPrhr.

con earth peace. good will towards
men" That is, and has been since the
birth in the manger of Bethlehem. the
spirit Of Christmas. II is as strong
| to-day. and far more widespread. than
ever before in the history of the world.
1t is broader than creeds or religions,
and moves many races and peoples
to deeds of gentleness, love. charity
and fellowship. The spirit Of the sea-
son is in the heart of the Gentle and
the Jew, and even in that of the Con-
fucian wherever Western civilization
has gained a foothold. We printed re-
Gently an account of Christmas Gus
toms observed in some parts of China
in which the adherents Of the old
heather religions take part. The Chi
nese residing in the United States are
among the most enthusiastic observers
of the great holiday. making presents
not only among themselves. but to
their friends and acquaintances of
other races. There may still remain
some few Scrooges who viii say that
the willy Oriental has business reasons
behind his gifts: but even that would
be better than the spirit OF the
Scrooges themselves, who make no
gifts and Tighten no hearts with
CHEEKY words.
Two pleasant Incidents illustrating
the Christmas spirit have lately APP
peared in the public prints. The Gov
ernor of Nebraska a few days ago re-
r,t~
pleaded with him in childish simplicity
to let her papa come home for Christ
mas. because mamma and l want him
here then so much, and it would make
us so happy" The father was serving
a term in prison. Numerous petitions,
signed by influential men and politi-
clans, had been sent to the Governor
asking the mans pardon. All of these
the Governor had refused. But when
the little letter, full of crooked letters
and misspelled words. reached him it
brought with it the Christmas spirit
and the Governors heart was touched
The father will eat Christmas dinner
with his family to-day, and the Gov
ernor will be happy in the conscious
ness that he has made at least three
persons very happy.
The other incident occurred in the
anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania.
Newspaper readers will recall the story
of the little boy who was forced by the
company to work for pittance to pay
the debt to it of his father who was
killed year ago in the company's
service. Work as hard as he might,
the brave little fellow could never earn
enough to maintain himself and dis
charge the debt. He never had any
money, and Christmas meant to him a
season of sadness by reason of the
contrast between his own condition and
that of more fortunate children who
had not to work but enjoyed pretty
toys and good things TO eat. But the
little fellow will have a good time this
Christmas Judge George Gray, presi-
dent of the Strike Commission, has
sent him a Christmas box of liberal
proportions, filled with things of the
kind that are sure to bring Joy to
the heart oe boy.
These are merely incidents in illus
tration that have slipped into public
notice. There will be during the week
hundreds of other incidents breathing
the same spirit concerning which the
public will never know; for the spirit
Of Christmas vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up. 1t seeks to relieve suffering
and carry pleasure into every house.
hold possible; and it's sole compensa-
ton is the happiness that comes of
making others happy.