Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-08
The Pathetic Side of Christmas
{ From Baltimore SUM

Christmas more than any other holiday in the
calendar has pathetic we'll as a joyous side In
deed while 1t is for many the Joyous time of the
year Tor many others it is the saddest of all the
days For it is the season of gift-pivine and for
those who can make receive presents it is natur-
ally looked forward to with longing: but say what
You VIII about being conented with the religious side
or the occasion with the spiritual blessing it
brings. this the case usually with the npoyer
lshed leg1ons who neither give get. 1t is not
IN human nature to be unaffected by such condition
NO season brings out so strikingly the glaring in
CAPABILITIES OF fortune.
Happy the parents who are able to enlist the gen
erous aid OF Santa Claus in behalf of their children
and happy the children who are singled out for spe
Cial attention by that kindly old gentleman But in
the midst of all it is somewhat saddenn to think
that for every parent whose wealth enables him be
liberal and lavish of his Christmas remem-
brances there is another with every whit as much
parental love for his offspring but without the means
to satisfy their childish desires.
1t is pathetic sight see such parent trudg-
ing homeward weary and downcast on Christmas
with little nothing for the out-stretched hands
awaiting him in the poor hove that goes by the
of home And if there is anything pathetic it is
the sight OF the child in tatters, cold and hungry,
looking with longing eyes the abundance of good
things in the shop windows but of them for
him; looking perhaps through the windows of pri-
vate dwellings at the warmth and comforts and lux
urles of those within seeing the children of such
households surrounded by gifts which they take a
matter of course, but a 1.-THE of which, like the
crumbs that fell from Dives table, would make him
supremacy happy. Can doubt that these young
minds raw though they are have their own thoughts
and their logic, that they feel the keen
~ and that these thoughts, vague and hay will
develop their minds mature and will help
greatly put them in love with society s it is
If Christmas anything all it a
season of more than ordinary kindness towards
feowman-a kindness that will go the length
of sclfsacrifce.
1t is the anniversary of the birth of Christ, and
for all of us, those who do believe in Christs
divinity, the lesson implied in that BIRTH with its
tending circumstances of voluntary poverty is les
into the spirit of the suprcmest love for men, and
rightly into the spirit of the day with
initiating the Master according each ones abil
y and this implies practical exhibition of love for
all indeed without exception but particularly
for the poor and downtrodden.
We practical exhibition. for when Christ
IS styled q of good will towards it is
wholly benevolence that is meant-or merely
wishing we'll OF all-but likewise benefcence or
doing good to those who need it. And from the
standpoint of happiness and enjoyment of
the day, it is difficult what contribute
toward it than the earnest endeavor make others
happy. If each contribute according to his means,
though it IS but d mite, it would make Christmas
cheerier all around and the consciousness of duty
done in this respect would make retire Christ
night far lighter hearted than if spent all sell
fishy pleasures.
(The Argus Santa Claus Fund needs your
selfish help in making Christmas cheerier for many
hundreds of poor children who otherwise face a
drearv vuletide season..