Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-14
SATURDAY. DECEMBER a. 1918.
Real Christmas Gifts.


foreso the pleasure of giving--of giving
at Christmas pleasure OF giving at
any and all times, for the sum total OF
ali Joy is expressed in giving. There
is no other pleasure even approachahle
to that which is derived from giving, and
like so many OF the great truths, the tersc
axiom, 1T is more blessed to give than
to receive" proves itself day by day in
the experience OF every soul that is above
the plane of mercenary sordldneSs.
In the life of Him whose memory we
celebrate at this season VIC have clear,
distinct and luminous precedent Tor
giving-for Jesus gave and gave, never
asking aught in return. finding that the
only real Joy lay in gifts TO Others.
We can follow His example: every
person may give freely, and give without
impovershing indeed, by giving
We shall, and do, enrich ourselves.
What we give need not be money or
goods, nor diamonds nor gold. IL may
as well be a kind word and smile with
warm. loving, pulsating heart back Of
il: a genuine helpful interest in our neigh
bor. unobtrusively manifested; our love
for our brethren. demonstrated in some
Of the hundreds Of WAYS that are always
open 10 those who seek the opportunity
TO give.
There are tens Of thousands Of people
in our country today who are more IN
need of kindly, sympathetic word.
loving hand pressure, helpful thought.
than in need Of food or clothes, or any
material thing-even, though, perhaps,
they themselves may not know just what
their real need Is.
There are a million mothers who have
been under the bhghting. saddenlng strain
Of fear since the Old World called upon
this new exponent OF liberty TO come to
the rescue OF Christianity and cIvlilza-
ton Many of this multitude OF women
have been bereft of loved sons by the
greedy war monster, and word 10 these,
:: kind, generous, loving thought, an
appreciation OF the appealing, fact that
they have given their son or husband to
perpetuate Christianity IN the world
would help to lift the mist that has settled
about them and let in the spirit OF the
Christ-peace and Joy.
Try i Not only at Christmas time,
but every day; and always remember
they have given much to the world and
have suffered much Your smile, tender
word, loving thought, will lift them from
the shade OF gloom, and elevate you TO
an exalted state Of consciousness that
purincs and enriches.
True giving is found in meeting the
needs of the recipient. Whether it be
at Christmas or at any other time, there
is no other kind of giving. A gift that
has back OF il any other purpose than
TO impart Joy or help 10 the recipient is
merely selfish offering, almost worse
than no gift at all.
We hear much about ">pugs, but as
a matter of fact, there is no such group
Of persons, for "Spug, We take il,
means the giving Of things We feel we
must give even though we have no in
terest in giving them and no particular
interest in the recipients. Hence It's
real significance, Society 10 Prevent
Useless Gifts" Such giving Is almost a
depravity. for II is an abuse of our great
est privilege, and prostitutes a duty,
ioy, 70 the low plane of CUSTOM and
substitutes Indifference for the reflection
OF Divine love.
II is our duty,.our privilege to give TO
all. al ali times and all the time, bur at
this season of the year We feel more
strongly melted to follow the example
of the Master And what world Of
pleasure comes from gifts when bestowed
with the real Christmas spirit.
Recall from past experiences the JOY
that has como from Christmas giving.
Then, by way OF testing the Joy Of giving,
bestow d gift, say on some one Of your
own household a daughter or wife An
article chosen with loving thought to
meet their need, or seeming need will
bring such gladncss hat there comes to
one the surprise 10 ascertain how great q
Ncaith oi 10y Hoodtd Ms CONSCIOUSNESS,
and he will perceive al once that his in
Hcstment, be il money Or good deeds,
has Yielded him doubly compounded in
tere5t.
One can picture, say, two little girls
perhaps he may have known their mother
when she was their age--and in them be
finds the same little, sweet glad winsome
souls. Can anything give one more
pleasure thar to anticipate the Joy they
would extract from the gift Of some
brightly-picturod story book? Sit down
and think it out The planning 10 give
those babes little remembrance, and d