The Green Forest tribune., 1912-12-20


 Christmas tree-laden with it's nu- merous gifts for family and friends; the little ones will rejoice in toys and candies; those a bit older, in a wealth of books and games, while fathers ana mothers will have exhausted their ln- genuity in discovering each others de sires and those of their children in order that all may be gratified on this anniversary of Christ's coming. In well-ordered households those who serve the family will be welcomed around the tree and merriment and song will add to the gayety. If he Tn whose E.lfne it will all be done were right here in the midst of them, what more could he ask?
 And I dreamed a dream-that he had come once more upon earth, had come right down among us and was looking with eyes of deep questioning at what was being done in honor ot his former coming.
 And as he walked around hidden from all eyes but mine own, his glance seemed to pierce beneath the seem ing and reach the heart of the festival. He passed by the well-warmed and lighted homes, where all was hap piness and content; he went into the places where those of whom he said "Of such is the kingdom of God" were playing in the path of death, ed his glance was stern as he saw one of these little ones" sweep into eter- ity beneath the iron wheels which crushed it's tiny form almost out of all semblance of the beauty and sweet ness which belonged to it. His look said: What gift has been given to this child in honor of my birthday? Has it had not even that right of every creature, safe place to expand its nature in the play which it must have in order to grow?"
 And he went among the homes of those who serve the people in the marts of trade, great and small. Surely there we would find the Christmas good cheer of which had been thinking. But in too many households we found only worry and anxious care for the morrow and for
  almost to death after their long hours of labor for the thankless, rushing crowd of searchers after Christmas gifts" they were not thinking of Christmas festivities, but only Lord, give rest and bread to eat-rest, Lord, rest
 We left the middle-class homes and wandered on our quest into that great neighborhood of the weavers, men and women by the thousands, who in the best of times can never be sure that the wolf is far from their doors, and who, during these late years of costly living have not often seen the best of times. There were attempts in many humble homes to celebrate the coming o1 the Prince of Peace, but, oh how pitifu1 was their setting forth of the good things we all think belong of necessity to this blessed seasoni
 What are you doing to these my little ones?" said the sad eyes with the deep questioning look 'Is this the best you can give them in honor of me? Why, these are no longer children; they are dwarfed men and women, with the spirit of play gone from them and the weight of years upon them in their very childhood"
 And he went farther among the weavers, and came to the homes of those who had abandoned all hope of better times; the homes where the season of Christ's birth could not be celebrated for even their utmost ef- forts could not still the howl of the wolf right upon them, not at, but with in the door Theirs was the cry of the poor women of the roads in the German fatherland in a century long gone by, to the appeal of the priest who consecrated his life to such as they. Give us only bread and water, and we will follow thee" And these poor households said, Give us to know where tomorrow's bread is to come from, and we will be happy and make a festival for thee; all we ask 1t to be free from the wolf; we are willing to work, but work is not plenti- ful enough. and some of us must al ways go hungry" And the face of the Christ grew sadder.
 And we passed into the home of one of those whose grief must be greater than that of her from whom death has taken the husband and the father of her little ones; of one