Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-24
CHRISTMAS AND ITS NOBLE
SPIRIT.

Christmas, withits holy light, it's cheer,
its good will among men, comes to-
morrow. Concentrating the birth Of
the divine Child, it is the most sacred
as well as the happiest day in all
Christendom. To the old. no less than
to the young, it reflects the peace OF
God on earth, which is the good will
Of men among men.
There are many who, out of the
goodness of their hearts, wish they
were rich at this time of year that
they might do for others, and yet 1t is
the one season when It is blessed to
be poor. 1t celebrates the real virtue
Of lowliness and humility. The Child
Of Bethlehem came into the world un-
der the most humble circumstances.
Born In a manger, He was given to the
world that He might be sacrificed for
mankind. He was the evidence OF
Gods great love for man. and 1t is on
this account that Christmas, more than
any other festival, is significant in its
thought both Of the religious meaning
OF the day and Of the poor and the I'M
fortunate.
II Is the day of days when people
who. though they may have far less
OF this worlds goods than others. find
real Joy in giving because the act in
wolves some degree of sacrifice. Is is
noble always to give. but the person
who, in order to do so, must make
self-denials, keeps the true Christmas
spirit
No work in connection with the gen.
eral observance of Christmas could
bring greater joy and qualification
than that in which The Argus has been
engaged for several years, with the Co
operation of Miss Dina Ramser, Miss
Margaret Giles and other noble-hearted
women in Rock Island, IN
the care OF the poor children
| Through the Associated Charities, the
circles OF the Kings Daughters, the
Salvation Army. and other agencies OF
similar nature, the poor people are
remembered Christmas day, with food
/ and clothing, but consideration of the
children in the happier sense has not
before been recognized in so compre
hensive and systematic a scheme as
that which The Argus Santa Claus
Fund committee has pursued. If there
is poor child in Rock Island to whom
Santa Claus will not come this year
the oversight is unavoidable and the
child so neglected is not forgotten
The Argus Santa Claus committee viii
make another round New Years eve
one week from today, in order to care
for all who may possibly have beer
overlooked today. Where there are
such instances. all that is necessary II
to drop The Argus a note or posta
giving the names, ages and locations
and Santa Claus will not fail them l.;
week from today. People who ma,
have knowledge of poor children beini
neglected, will confer a favor by not
flying The Argus or either Of the con-
mittee leaders, Miss Ramser or Mis-
Giles.
The goodfellow movement, whicI
has enabled people who desire to pla,
Santa Claus themselves by visitin
and bestowiDg happiness upon childre
for whom Santa Claus would no. b
able TO care otherwise, has prove
happy feature of the Santa Clan
spirit, and all who have responded {
the opportunity presented by The A
gus and have been supplied wi.
names. should not fail in the obligs
ton they have taken upon themselves
, They will cause bitter heartaches an
: disappointment IL they do.
The Argus takes this occasion to e,
/ press its gratitude TO all who throug
contribution to-the Santa Claus Funt
- OF responding to the goodfellow prop,
= si'ion, have cooperated with the al
! nual movement, and likewise to Mis-
/ Ramser and Miss Giles and their C,
> workers and to all who. out of til
! goodness of their hearts. have col
= tributed to the success OF the unde
taking.
= Il is the hope Of The Argus thi
e Santa Claus in all that he means I
a the children of the poor. as well as I
$ those upon whom Fortune has bestoy
4 ed a more kindly smile may not owe
look a single child in Rock Island 1
this most holy time