New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-02-07
The Origin Of St. Valentines Day

Once more the "day of hearts and
Crpid's darts" m round, and we
all enjoy its merry fun and non
sense. But did you ever think how il
first began? We will have to look
back a great many years. for its orig
in can without doubt be traced to a
practice among the Romans.
Every year on the fifteenth OF
February they held a great feast in
honor Of the god Pan. 1t was called
the Lupercalia. and, at its beginning
the names Of all the virgin. or unmar-
ried. daughters OF Rome we're put in
a box. and the young men drew from
it. Then each youth was bound to
offer a gift to the maiden who fell
TO his share, and also to make her
his partner during the coming feast.
This custom became connected with
the name OF St. Valentine through
a coincidence Of dates.
St. Valentine was a bishop Of Rome
during the third century. He was of
most amiable nature. and possessed re
markablc gifts of eloquencc. In con
verting the pagan Romans to Chris
tianitv. he was very successful. Bu'
this dispieased the Emperor, who or
dered him TO be killed on the four
tccnth of February. A. D. 270.
Years after, St. Valentines name
was placed III the calendar as a
saint. and his name was given 20
the dav OF MS death, and it was
made a festival, Then the Christian
clergy, in order to make the pconle
forget the old pagan feast of the
Luperca'ia, made an effort to subs
titute the names of SAINTS in the
lottery instead Of those Of girls. But
it was not successful.
Nowadays the ancient custom of
drawing names has been forgotten,
BY, dainty membranes are given
or sent. But, in the midst OF Il
pleasure. let us give a little thought
TO brave St. Valentine who gave up
| his lite for the cause OF Christ.
Her Testimony
Sister Smith was called upon for
/ testimony in a revival meeting. She
humbly declined in these words: Il
have been a transgressor and a black
sheep for a good many years. and
have only recently seen the light: |
believe that my place is in a dark
corner behind the door" Brother
tones was next called upon. F.
lowing Sister Smiths meek example,
he said: Il too, have been a sinner
for more than forty years, and do
not think 7 ought to stand before
YOU as a model. think my place is
behind the door, in a dark corner,
with Sister Smith"
Rotary Club Granted Charter
CLAYTON, the smallest town on the
map Of the world with a Rotary
club, has just received notice from
International Headquarters of its
adoption into the great family OF
Rotarians. The local management is
to be congratulated upon being able
to get their application for %affilia-
ton "over". Heretofore no town of
less than 2s,OO0 has been able to get
into international Rotary; but Clay
ton is in. and in with a live bunch
that has caught the spirit OF the
thing.
February IA and IS the district
meet" is to convene at the Savoy
hotel in Denver. Clayton Rotarians
are invited to attend and to bring
the lady folks with them. There
will be a big banquet and a bigger
dance, and a great meeting.-Clay-
ton News,
A Cet.Tosether Society
The Epworth League and Baptist
Young Peoples society of Des
Monies have the right spirit. They
have decided to combine the two
societies and work together in the
future.
For the present they will meet at
the Baptist church until such time
as the Methodists have a regular
pastor, when they. will alternate.
holding their meetings at the two
parishes. thus utilizing both churches.
The spirit exhibited by the young
people is very commendable for after
all what this world needs is more
brotherly love and human kindness
and less creed and dogma.
Albuquerque Day Nursery Opened
The Woman's club day nursery is
open. a nurse engaged and already
mothers arc taking advantage of it
to leave their little ones in safe
keeping while they earn a living for
themselves and babies. Mrs w. NJ.
Fsrr. chairman Of child welfare de-,
partment Of tie club, has been large
lv instrumental in its fuifillment.
The bureau Of charities and other
organizations which are in touch
with conditions among the poor have
long felt the need Of such aid as the
day nursery will give.
RENE mber, Lest You Forget
That Courage is not just