The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-01-04
AS TO SANTA CLAUS.
A Reply by North Carolina Minister
TO The Nier's Christmas Dis
sertatien in Herald and News.

Editor The Herald and News: So
. the "Idler" has been carrying in
his conscience all these twelve months
something the "North Carolina
Preacher said. Well, We preach
ers, like the editors, keep on preach
ing, and it often seems the words
are Just sounds in the air. The ed
itors preach through the columns of
the papers and the preachers IN the
pulpit. They cannot tell what ef-
feet their words may have for good
or evil. =
Now here is Idler, and have Of
ten ropdered who. he is. BE still
remembers a little sermon in The
Herald and News Of last years
Christmas. Idler writes some good
things, and they come up here into
North Carolina.
He generally says about what he
thinks in lively spicy way. I dare
say he is helping his town. he may
find some critics, but that is all the
better. That makes men think. Ldler
likes to criticize the ''North Caro-
lima Preacher Men often object
to what they know is right because
they do not like to accept it.
Now Jdler agrees with the North
Carolina Preacher about Christmas
celebration. He says. ''1t is the
birth Of a babe We eelebrate-the
babe who waxed strong and went
about His Fathers business of say
ing the world, passing through Geth-
semane's agony and giving His life a
willing sacrifice that His blood might
wash out the dark stains Of SIM
Idler is right. We are celebrating
at least We ought to be-the birth
Of that wonderful Babe. His theolo-
81 IS good, TOO, in this ago when We
have a president who openly depies
the power Of that atoning blood.
But I do confess cider" is like
certain people who lived some ages
age Of whom a prophet said, ,s'HoW
long halt ,ye between tive opinions?
if the Lord be God follow Him, but
if Baal then follow him. IF old
Santa IS the Lord then celebrate
him, but if the Lord then celebrate
Him. No that preacher has not learn
ed any better. He still is on the
side of the God who answers (by
6re) not always down the smoke
stack. ... -.... -.
Now this preacher did not say
parents should teach their children
Santa Claus does not come but that
he is |tnil: A thing that is not does
net move. He did not say they
Should teach them t'the gifts are in
eommemoration Of the birth Of the
i Christ-child - What he tried to say
is they are the gifts Of the Christ
child. Substitute "Christ-ehild,''
Idler, where you want to put Santa
Claus and your theology and ethics
win be alright. Is not that SIM
pie process "Honor to whom hon
yes,' tribute to whom tribute is
due.'' Why steal from the Babe to
honor Santa Claus? every good
gift, and every perfect gift cemeth
down from above Is not that sim
pie theologys
And Idler says Santa Claus s'has
brought more happiness to more lit
tie children than any body else in
( all the wo1ld.'' The more's the
pity. The old .imposter. Dr.. Cook
had big fame boo but he looks like
a len cent piece since those Danes
gotSt through with him. Now he wants
t. 80 off and hide. Perhaps he kept
empany up around the pole with
: old Santa and You know about "evli
eonamunications.' - .
Now in fact, Idler, don't you think
We should celebrate the coming Of the
Babe Of Bethlehem rather than the
coming Of old santas
Suppose you give him a birthday
al his very own and see how much
honor he viii get and whether people
will think "he has brought more hap
n5ness to more children than anybody
oIca ~, all the world -
"North Carolina PSeaeher,'