The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-21
THE SEASON OF
 JOY AND PEACE
By Champ Clark, Speaker of the 1
 House of Representatives)

By Champ Clark, Speaker of the
 House of Representatives.)
 The glad song, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," rings through the world with ever-increasing volume and en- thusiasm. The men, women and chil- dren of our time are not angels, but they join the angelic choir in cele- brating the greatest event in the en- tire history of the human race, and we sing. as we are commanded, with the spirit and the understanding.
 Christmas for nineteen hundred years has been gradua -ly becoming the greatest festival of this world-the day for rejoicing. the day for opening purse-strings, the day for being su- premely happy by making others hap py-which is by far the easiest way of being happy. That is illustrated by Dickens Christmas Carol,' which did a vast amount of good. He did a great deal to popularize Christmas, for which we are all his debtors.
 Individually, I advocate Santa Claus and pay Santa Claus, though I am smooth-shaven and do not drive his famous team or. ride in his gorgeous sled. like to sally forth on Christ mas Eve, mingle with the happy, joy for wife, children, friends and some strangers. IL gives me more pleas ure than to preside over the House of Representatives or a National Con- vention. It is a pleasure to purchase even a small gift for some ragged ur- chin who is unable to buy one for himself, and whose parents, however ed by dire poverty. At no other per- iod of the year Is there such complete proof of the truth of the words, Tt is more blessed to give than to re- ceive." The pleasure of seeing a poor child's face light up with joy and gratitude on receiving unexpectedly even an orange, box of candy, tin whistle, a pair of gloves, picture book, a handkerchief or a pair of stockings has tendency to make a busy man sleep better and dream pleasant dreams-dreams of Z his own childhood at Christmastide. } Haroun al Raschid must have found his great est happiness when he went about dis guised ming1ing with the mu titude and doing little acts of kindness, a custom also practiced by Napoleon. have kindly feeling for Big Tim Sullivan, who is the Haroun al Raschid of the Bowery without any disguise. and whose speciality is giving shoes unto the poor. Some grouchy folks con- demn utterly both Santa Claus and in discriminate Christmas-giving but the bulk of mankind clings to them. The grouchy ones do not count for much. They are kiH-joys so far as they go. but they do not go very far.
 am an optimist, not pessimist. It is better to look upon the bright side of things than upon the dark. Ev- cry cloud has silver lining. A jubi late is more pleasant music than a miserere. believe with all my heart that the world is growing better. The glorious and joyous Christmas spirit is beginning to run through the entire year. There is more money given in this country to day in charity in pro- portion to our financial capacity than ever before. Men and women are coming more and more to the conclu- sion tbat we are stewards for Gods suffering children. I rejoice that He is opening the eyes and hearts of mul- eileen. truth, and that they are more and more contributing to charitable and educational institutions. We can not all make large gifts, but we can contribute the widows mite.
 Wha. is 1t that has set so many per sons to aiding in charitable work, which is only the blessed Christmas spirit in practice9 It is the parable of tbe Good Samaritan working in the hearts of men. Behold certain law yer stood up and tempted Fl m, saying. Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'" I have always regret ted that that man was a lawyer. wish he had been a doctor, preacher, merchant-ar,ytbing except lawyer. The result of the dia 'ogue between the Saviour and the lawyer was the inspiring and elevating doctrine, Love thy neighbor as thyself," which is fest part of the creed of the entire civilized world.
 wish that every boy and girl in America would, during the Christmas holidays, commit to memory the par able .,f the Good Samaritan, and that the ennobling idea contained in that parable might become their rule of