The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-12-24
A CHRISTMAS ALABASTAR BOX.

Read this it Will do you good. The
following from the editorial page of
the New York Christina Adc0cate
will pay every reader and make him
or her better and happier person
Break it now-that precious oint-
ment of love whose fragrance will
sweeten the whole house.
Some one has said thatI' repression
of the expression of feeling is the
American vice" and it is too often
true; but Christmas is the very time
for turning over new leaf in the
volume of habit, and resolving that
love in the heart shall be exalted into
love in the life.
The kindly word unspoken is ain"
- It's the deed OF owe alon thatmay last :.
The rest is chaff in the winnowing b asst
In the garden Of life weed"
The past is written, the future is
beyond our control, but today is ours,
and is an opportunity to bestow a
gift which will be more welcome than
any which money can purchase There
should be no guesswork concerning
affections; make it plain" write it
large Silence is golden when it
represses bitter words or ignorant
comment, but it sinks like lead into
the heart which has a right to expect
tender and trustful utterances.
By precept and example this lesson
should be taught to children, and
there can be no-better time for such
instruction than the birthday of the
Holy Child, who increased in wisdom"
and whose whole life was one of SYM
pathy and kindness.
Without realizing that it is a form
OF selfishness, parents rob their chill
dren of wonderful opportunities for
growth in thoughtfulness and love
when they themselves arrange the
Christmas tree and feast and let the
little ones have no part in the work
OF preparation. In Germany the
children help adorn the tree, and
even dress tiny trees for their pet
dogs and dolls, and thus give vent to
every form of affection.
There is stern need that our chill
dren be taught the essence of gift,
making. The lovely child should be
made loving child; his eagerness to
know what he is to receive should be
accompanied by an eagerness to dis
cover what he can bestow. Absorb
ton should not be the chief JOY of
childhood; the planting of seeds of
Kindness will bring a rich harvest in
old age.
Old age! 1t should be remembered
that Christmas Day is for peace and
good will to old and young.
The study of Eroebel has lessened
our study of the Christ, and our re-
gard for the dependent little ones has
resulted in an almost brutal disregard
OF those who have outlived the pleas
ure of nest and wing and now culver
near the ground.
Happiness the right of sinless child
hood and righteous or penitent age.
1t can be insured to children bv train
ing them in thought for others, in
that unselfish living which is the
elixir of youth.
1t can be insured to the old those
who, burdened with years and sorrow,
sit by the fireside of memory and find
their story of romance and real life
closing with a tragedy of loneliness)
by making their sunset glory, a
morning that dawns in the west. -
for Glove lends warmth to fading en-
bers." A tilial love, which will pour
out its best wine at the last" can
turn the shady side of life into truly
sunny side, a diminuendo of happiness
into a crescendo.
Bring in the fagots of love which
shall be the background of every
flame of iov this Christmastide,