The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-12-19

people who wantony abused
the children of France and Belgium When we
call St Nicholas Santa Claus we are merely
saying in our own way "San Nicolaas" as the peo-
pie of Holland say it. For the Hollanders. who
settled in New York and New Jersey 300 years
ago at the very beginning of country, brought
san NICOLAS with them, and it was not long be-
fore Americans We're saying Santa Claus"
Why, St Nicholas belongs to all the world
hundreds of churches in England bear his name.
mere are more than a hundred st. Nicholas
churches in Belgium. Thousands of such churches
are scattered all over Europe
Inc queer thing about it is that st. Nicholas
was really born in Asia Minor in Panthera in the
province of Lycia, in the sixth century. St Ncho-
las OF Bari he is ofenest called by Europeans but
only the bones of st. Nicholas reposing for eight
centuries in the crypt of a handsome cathedral at
Bari, Italy, have given him that title He never
lFed IN Bari Italian sea traders, who worshped
MIN as their especial protector stole his body
from its resting place in Myra in the twelfth CEN
fury and brought it to the Italian seaport Since
that time the celebration held there in the saints
honor is unique.
The eastern world knew and loved him first but
1t is from western Europe that we learn of many
OF the quaint customs connected with the ceIebra-
ton OF his birth. In Lycia he lived to a good old
age, Milling his days even in childhood by doing
good deeds and giving lavshly to the poor of the
fortune he inherited. 1t was Christlike To give
SO. as a steward of God, his wealth belonged to
Gods children, Nicholas believed Finally he was
made bishop of Myra, where he went to live after
a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
1t was not strange that after such n life of
CHARITY he should become a saint of the common
people, even as St George was saint of knight.
hood. He was invoked by the laborer toing for
his daily bread, by mariners, by merchants He
was protector of the weak against the strong the
poor against the rich the captive tha prisoner
the slave. He was especial guardian of maidens
schooiDoyS, the orphan poor. throughout most of
Europe children are taught to reverence him. and
to believe if they docie and attentive TO their
duties he will fill the cap stocking with dain-
ties; II they are naughty idle he certainly has
a rod in pickle to bring along for them.
Here is what the Encyclopedia Britannica has
to say about st. Nicholas:
st Nicholas, bishop of Myra in Lycia. a saint
honored by the Greeks and the Latins on the
sixth OF December. His cult is as celebrated as
his history is obscure. All the accounts that have
come down to us are of purely legendary char
acter' and 1t is impossible to find any single in
cident confirmed historically. The main facts. Of
his life are usually given follows:
He was bishop of AIyra at the time of the
Emperor Diocletian, was prosecuted tortured for
the faith, and kept in prison until the more fol-
Grant reign of Constantine and was present or
the council of Nicaea. 1t should be observed tbat
this last circumstance is ignored by all histor-
ians and that St Athanasius who knew all tho
notable bishops of the period, never mentions
monument of the cult of st. Nicholas seems TO he
the Church of SITS. Phscus and Nicholas built at
| Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian In the
| West, the name of ST. Nicholas appears in the
ninth century martyrologies, and churches dedi-
Gated to him are to be found at the beginning of
| the eleventh century.
/ 1t is more especially, however from the time
| of the removal of his body to Bari ia Apulin thar
\ his cult became popular. The inhabitants of Bari
/ organized expedition. seized his remains nv
\ means of ruse, and transported them to Bari
| where they were received in triumph on the ninth
of May 1857, and where the foundations were laid
| OF basllica in his honor. This was the
] origin of famous and still popular pilgrimage
! There are nearly 400 churches in England dedi-
! Gated to ST. Nicholas. He is the patron saint of
| Russia He special protector of children schol-
/ ars, merchants and sailors; and is invoked by
! travellers against robbers. In art st. Nicholas is
! represented with various attributes. being most
| commonly depicted with three children standing
! in tub by his side. OF the various interpreta-
lions of this, is absolutely certain. One ex-
/ PLANTATION has been sought in the legend of ST.
Nicholas mraculously restoring TO life three rich
| youths, who had been murdered cut up and con-
| cealed in a sailing tub by thievish innkeeper
| or butcher, in whose house they had taken lodg-
| US