The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-25
rHn DAY or DAYS.

To the young the days drag by on rlcaden feet. while to the aged they pass swiftiy as the night of the bird. The child counts each day and week that must pass before the sia6 Christ. mas comes to cheer his heart. but to the old 1t comes all too soon and is counted as another mile-post on the over shortening Journey of life. It is weary waiting to the young and never stopping procession of time to those who are in the evening of days.
 But to the old and the young the wheels of Time. never stopping, will st last bring to us the natal day of the Christ-child as 1t has brought this one. Whether we look toward it with longing or with apprehension 1t comes to us. and today we hsil another anni- , versary of that wondrous event which the angels themselves descended to make glorious.
 Unlike other days which are set apart and honored this one has the world for it's shrine. Wherever civil ization has spread it's benign influence, and wherever civilized man has plant cd his foot there will be found some to welcome this day and bow their heads in remembrance of what it may mean. They may be wearily traversing the trackless desert. penetrating the wilds of darkest Africa, or. risking life in the frigid regions of the Arctic, but they will remember the day and in some way feel its influence.
 And truly there is something won- derful about the day. No merely hu- man institution could so survive and retain it's hold upon humanity during the passage of so many centuries. No day fixed by man for observance and rcversntial rejoicing could make it's way throughout the earth and make it. self part of the faith cf the people. Coming as the birthday anniversary of the Savior of mankind it appeals to the best that is in fallen humanity. 1t is a saddening reflection that with so many among Christian people the day has lost much of the religious solemnity which should pertain to It. We do not mean that 1t should be e day of fasting and humiliation and self f-infiicted penance, for that is not the spirit of 1t. It is day for ra- tional enjoyment. for Christian wor- ship and for n-blessed, Charity, not for unseemly carousa1s or bolster ous lawlessness. The very spirit of the day is violated when it is made the occasion for all kinds of wild disorder.
 And it is a day when the heart and the hand should be open to the needs of the poor and suffering, for there will be many in this land of plenty who will lack the very necessaries of life. and to whom luxuries are unknown. To help the poor and needy is genuine charity. and chaTity is among the les sons we learn frdm the spirit of Christi mas. It costs littls in money to helr needy one. but it means much to those who give as we'll as to those who receive.
 And dear old Santa Claus---what of him? Has he not been among the iit- tie ones of every land and rejoiced their hearts by leaving something for ali? Why should an attempt be made to drive from the hearts of the chil- dren their belief in the patron saint oi gift giving? Granted that to the old he is a myth. but no matter. All myths are not harmful. and the belief that there is Santa Claus hurts nc one. It is cruel to drive from the lit. tie children's hearts the fondly cher ished beliefs and hopes and anticipa. tions that have been enjoyed so fond ly and Loyalty. The time will come soon enough when the stern and ex' acting realities of life will drive away the bright deiusions of childhood, but let them remain while they may. Let them still have faith in old Santa, witf his sleigh and his reindeer, driving mcrrily over the housetops. descend ing impossible chimneys and leaving something for each trusting little ont who has gone to sleep in the full be. lief that Santa Claus will come.
 And so we might go on ruminating theorizing. counselling and prophecy ing. but each reader may read what we have said and enlarge on it al seems best. We hope the day will bt bright and pleasant; we hope that f , will be enjoyed in a way that vii leave behind 1t no sorrow or regret } nothing to repent of or be ashamed of but that there will be much to rejoice over and to approve and feel glad oi . the day and its memories. , And to all, of every race. age. SC, , and condition, The Advertiser sends ou , It's kindest regards and wishes eact and all A Merry Christmas!
 
 A SEVERE ARRAIGNMENT. , Judge DeCourcey, of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, remarks Int