The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-25
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

The only good things are the old things.
Formal things change, but the real things
in our life are always the same. few
years ago Santa Claus came in sleigh
drawn by RENDERS. Now he comes In an
automobile Then he ran the risk of be-
ing scorched by the rudy fire in the wide
chimney, but it was spacious and gave
him plenty of room to come down without
getting SCOT on his warm white furs.
How he manages to get down at all in the
modern little chimneys is past under
standing, and how he enters houses that
have no chimneys is the wonder of
mankind. But obstacles that we would
deem insurmountable do not appear to
give him a moments trouble The old
fellow must be half body and half spirit,
able at will to convert himself into either.
And, if spirit, very blessed spirit he is,
for this morning hes will give strange
happiness that passeth understanding in
tens of thousands of homes.
Now and then some Mr.. Gradgrind. al
ways wanting facts, nothing but facts,
comes forward and suggests that in the
interest of truth we ought to abolish
Santa Claus 1t may be possible to blot
out the sun, moon and stars, but as long
as the little child reigns in the hearts of
men and women Santa Claus will remain
enthroned. What price would YOU take
for the happiness that thrilled you when
Santa Claus filled your stocking In the
long ago? Is there any money that could
compensate for the sweet recollection as
the wonderment filled your little eyes?
What would you charge to have effaced
from your memory the imperishable pic
ture of your mother, her face shining
with Joy, as she responded to your every
exclamation of delight? Are you blessed
with children of your own, the most preci-
Gus gift that God vouchsafes to His chill
dren? Have you listened to their prattle
and talk of Santa Claus weeks before his
expected coming, helped to hang their
stockings in the chimney corner, and been
aroused from your slumbers by the merry
voices of happy children delighted at the
good things Santa Claus has put into
their stockings? Have your pulses been
thrilled as your own youth returned to
share their joy? You have-then God has
given you a joy that is found nowhere
else in His universe and you have passed
into a realm of happiness that takes all
of sordidness out of your heart. What
sum of money would be adequate for you,
then, to abolish Santa CLAUSE"
Those who have been permitted to enter
into this holy and innocent joy could no
more consider compensation for its pur-
chase than they would barter for their
souls welfare.
AS long as Santa Claus reigns-and he
will rule in all hearts in every cline as
long as childhood is Observation-Disclosures
will be the happiest and hottest season of
all the year. Let every man make the
season one for gladness, cheer and the
giving of good gifts. Filing care to the
winds. Let business take care of itself.
Rid your mind of everything that dis
tracts OF annoys. Give a few days to the
children. Be thankful, and praiseful and
happy-hearted. Help those in need. See
that no child in your neighborhood shall
drop tear of disappointment. Take a
hand in the general jubilation, and help to
make this Christmas one to be remem-
bered.