Evening star., 1914-12-27

ancient times, the New Year festival
begins toward the end of December
'.in the days." as the Serbs say, when
the sun god. having gone far enough
into the plains of winter. turns back
and retraces his steps toward the green
fields of summer"
brated the day of old Badnyak.
The new is known as the day of the
young Bojich.'' On Badnyak's day two
young men Of the family must go very
early into the forest to cut a young
oak. Having crossed themselves three
times and thrown handful of wheat
on the selected tree, they cut it down
and bear 1t home. But care must be
falls toward the east. for dire misfor-
tunes are sure to follow II by any mis-
chance the sacred emblem should hap
pen to fall toward the west. There are
must be carefully attended to. If it
should chance that some neighbor or
other person interrupt them before the
tree has been properly cut into three
the family will be interrupted by the
death during the new year of one or
more Of its members.
In Germany, Russia and many other
rymaking ends near midnight with all
going to a watch meeting at the
church. Many calls are received and
paid and one of the chief observances
Of the opening year Is in sending out
cards. Enormous numbers of New
Year cards are distributed.
throughout Germany there is the
pretty custom Of having each mem
Der of the household sign these cards.
More than this. any friend OF acquaint-
ance who happens to be handy is asked
to sign, too. The result is a miniature
autograph album. It is often a sur
from German friends containing the
names of unknown persons of whom
they have never heard.
Throughout all English speaking
lands the churches, almost without ex-
ception, whether Protestant or Catho-
lie, are decorated for Christmas and
New Year. and services are held upon
both days.
In England even the smallest Of the
parish chapels have their decorations
Of holly and fir, and watch night
services are particularly popular in the
Methodist and Baptist communities. In
New Year morning the edifce is crowd
ed to its very doors. While Westmin-
ster Abbey and other famous sane
tuaries are also well patronized. no
pace " LOUuOucTS> Is more CEe place
to attel.d on New Year day than is st.
Pauis, lifting its beautiful domes
above the throbbing heart of the great
city.
Long ago. in old England. Yulet,de
not only marked the jollification from
Christmas to New Year, but until
Twelfth Night" or Epiphany. Janu-
ary 6. put an end to the annual merry
makings. The yule log, or yule clog,
still SO popular a feature Of the holi-
day season in Europe, is believed to
have come down from the Scandina-
VANS. 1t was feature Of their wor-
ship. called Joul, at the time Of the
winter solstice. In ancient times
among many different nations it was
usual to kindle enormous fires in honor
Of Thor. Yule logs still glow in many
a chimney corner, in humble English
cottages, as well as in the great fire.
places Of the lordly manor houses It
Is customary to light the yule log
Christmas eve, and a succession Of logs
may be necessary to keep up the festi-
vities which end on the date upon
which the three wise men are sup
posed to have presented their rich
gifts to the ;hrist child.
pretty superstition is supposed to
have been the cause of the ancient Gus
tom in England. now SO prevalent
everywhere. of decorating for the holi-
days the homes with garlands of holly
and fir. In primitive times it was be-
lieved that. when the days begin to
lengthen, and the cold begins to