Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1907-12-26

Has not the characteristic impetuos-
hy of our time and race led us to mar
this beautiful holiday by the very zeal
with which we observe 1t? Is 1t not true
that the secret feeling OF many toward
Christmas is one of dread? There is SO
much work to be lone for 1t. so much
expense. and so many perplexing prob
lens 10 be solved.
Many there are who bernoan the
modern methods Of observance. but
few as yet who have the courage OF
their convictions sufficiently to attempt
any reform. They say. and say truly.
that 1t Is easier to criticize than to
correct. Yet If we know that Il thing
we are doing IL wrong. there Nuld
be no cvading our duty to try t. .sht
II.
Perhaps the greatest evil OF the sea
son is the indiscriminate. e~xtravaEant
exchange of gifts. Long lists OF names
are made out. of people who "a sent
gifts last year and who therefore must
receive this year a present of at least
equal value. The tendency in such eX-
changes is for the gifts to grow more
expensive each Christmas. If the truth
were known. o parties to the tran
saction would be greatly relieved IL
the exchange We're to be eliminated by
the simple method of cancellation. of
ten the receipt OF u handsome gift
brings only dislnay 10 the recipient.
Lillian Bell tells OF n woman who was
presented with a fish set costing at
least 5000. She viewed the magnificent
gift with white face and clenched
pected by the giver-a thing simply i'm
possible for her to do. In this case the
matter seemed to the unhappy woman
nothing short OF a tragedy.
Desperate cases require desperate
remedies. so in some instances the best
cure will be TO write all ones friends
early in the autumn that one will give
absolutely no Christmas presents that
year and requesting that as a token OF
their friendship they hou send none
to the writer. The following year the
field will be clear so that n list can be
made out just of those to whom n can
really give in the true Christmas spirit,
If the least idea OF exchange is embed
led In any name, it should be omitted.
There are many friends for whom on
has the most genuine kindly feelings
Yet 10 express this feeling to all these
friends by means Of understandable ar
ticles is Il heavy burden and places
them under an obligation. Why not ex-
press these sentiments directly in words
instead OF o~bscurely conveying then
through the mcdiunl of things which
they could easily bay for themselves
A Christmas letter may give free eN
preston to all the a~ppreciative loving
thoughts one has of ones friend. Ant
as in our day we do not often permit
ourselves unreservcd expressions of GU
deepest feelings. the receipt OF such {
letter will warm the heart of ones true
friend as few presents would.
Two classes OF people there are. how
ever. who should be remembered will
tangible gifts-the little children ant
the poor. In thus adding to their hap
beautiful idea of the little child wh'
said: 1--WE must make Jesus enjoy thi!
birthday, mustn't we mammal"
Tracing the custom OF giving pres
ents at Christmas back to it's origin w
find 1t began on that first holy Christ
mas day when the wise men OF thu
east brought gifts of gold. franklin
cense and myrrh and laid before TIL
child. They brought of their best. as
token OF their love and reverence 70
the One who was to be the Savior o
mankind. We can do no better thai
TO remember in all our Christmas plan
their spirit and that of the song Of tn
angels, Peace on earth. good Will t
men
Historic Customs and Superstitions o
Christmas.
In everything that Is connected wit
our Christmas time tradition plays
large part.
The holly with which on. homes ar
decorated was, in olden times, consid
cred sacred. for the legend ran thu
1t was the crown OF Christ.
The old story told OF the Christina
tree Is this: when Eve plucked tn
!. fatal apple Immediately the leaves be
came needle points and the brigt
ture and became evergreen the Who'll
yea round. thereby preaching the stor
Of mans fall. and only on Christina
does it bloom with lights and low
gifts. The curse is changed to
blessing by the coming of the Chri.
The custom OF feasting n merr
5 ment on Christmas day dates back Il
t centuries. In the days of Queen Eliza
! beth we are old that sixteen course
Of meat were often served" Boar
head was the piece de resistance. 70
4 lowed by Drawn. geese. turkeys. CT
g pons and sometimes roasted wv
. Shred pies. n mince pies We're fir
r called. and plum buildings Of hut
@ dimensions were the accepted article
8 Of dessert. Drinking was an impor
ant part of the feast. The wassa
i, bowl with its contents Of spiced swee
n ened wine. with an apple floating {
the top. was passed around the tab
F, again and again.
: At the latter part OF the eighteen
: century the feasting seemed to be Il
= one important feature OF Christm'
q observance. Benjamin Franklin co
tributed to these occasions his recel
: for punch in the following verse:
boy. bring a bowl Of china here.
e Fill 1t with water. cool and clear.
Decantcr with jamaica ripe.
And spoon Of silver, clear and bright,
SUGAR. twice fip,d In mecca cuf