The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1919-12-20

people who so wantOnly 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 Hoanders, who
settled in New York and New Jersey 300 years
ago at the very beginning of our country, brought
San Nic0laas with them, and it was not long be-
fore Americans were saying Santa Claus"
Why, St. Nicholas belongs to all the world
hundreds of churches in England bear his name
Ihere are more than a hundred st, Nicholas
churches in Belgium Thousands of such churches
are scattered all over Europe.
Ahe queer thing about 1t is that St Nicholas
was really born in Asia Minor in Panthera, in the
province OF Lycia, in the sixth century. ST. Nicho.
Aas OF Bari he is oftenes called by Europeans but
only the bones OF st. Nicholas reposng for eight
centuries IN the crypt of handsome cathedral at
oHrl' nay nave given him that title. He never
SNeu IN Bari Italian sea traders who worshiped
him as their especial protector. STOLE bis bodv
from It's resting place in Myra in the twelfth cen.
Jury and brought 1t to the Italian seaport Since
tnat time the celebration held there IN the SAINTS
honor Is unique
Inc eastern world knew and loved him FIRST bnt
is from western Europe that we learn of MANY
VI TIE qunmt customs connected with the celehra
uOh OF MS birth. In Lycia he lived to a good old
age nlhng his days even In childhood nv doing
9ood deeds and giving lavishly to the DOOR oP +be
!. fortune ne inherited. It was Cbristlike In give
so as steward of God, his wealth belonged 10
COOS children, Nicholas believed. FINALLY no was
mace bishop Of Myra, where he went to live after
pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
{ II was not strange that after such life ~
Echarlty ne should become saint of the common
people, even as ST. George was saint Of knight.
9Aooa. de was invoked by. the laborer toiline for
ms uaily bread, by mariners, by merchants. He
was protector OF the weak against the strong the
ipOOf asainst me rlch the captive, the prisoner.
sule save. ne was especial guardian OF maidens
somebody's the orphan poor. Throughout most az
Europe children are taught to reverence him ona
TO believe If they are docfIe and attentive IN tbn,
duties ne will fill the cap or stocking with dain.
Ties; II they are naughty or idle, he certainly has
rod In pickle TO bring along for them.
here IS what the Encyclopedia Britannica has
to say about st. Nicholas
81. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, in Lycia saint
honOfed by the Greeks and the Latins m tho
sixth OF December. His cult is as celebrated 40
MS history is obscure. All the accounts that have
come down to US are of a purely legendary char.
acter, and 1t is impossible to find any single IN.
cidcnt confirmed historically. The main facts Of
MS life are usually given as follows:
lie was bishop of Myra at the time of tho
Emperor Diocletian, was prosecuted. tortured far
the faith, and kept in prison until the moro tol.
Grant reign of Constantine and was nreSan+ 90
the council of Nicaea 1t should be observed thot
thls last circumstance is ignored by all histor.
ans and that st. Athanastls who knew all tho
notable bishops Of the period never man+iono
Nicholas, bishop of Myra. The OLDEST know,
monument of the cult of ST. Nicholas seems to ha
the Church Of SITS. Phiscus and Nicholas bnilt Of
Constantinople by the Emperor Justinian In rho
west the name of st, Nicholas appears in the
hlhth century mrtyrolOgies and Churches ded
cateu 10 him are to be found at the beginning of
the eleventh century.
II is more especially, however from the time
Ot me removal OF his body to Bari in Apulia, that
ans cuit became popular. The inhabitants of Bari
Vtsahieeu an expedition, seized his remains nv
means OF ruse, and transported them to Bari
"lere tHey were received in triumph on the ninth
VI may po'' ana where the foundations were laid
OF new basilica in his honor. This was +ho
V'. .S ol famous and still popular pilgrimage
There are nearly 400 churches in England do5,
Gated to St Nicholas. He is the natron sO1 ueu
RUSSIA; the special protector of children scbol,
ars, merchants and sailors. and s inuo,,o -
travellers against robbers. In art St. Nicho,oo e.
represented with various attributes beno raos.
commonly depicted with three children standno
In tub by his side. OF the yarions intornrotn
tons of this none is absolutely certain Ona ~
PLANTATION has been sought In the legend ~ g.
Nicholas tremendously restoring to life three rioh
youths, who had been murdered, cut rn and oor.
ceaied in sailing tub by a thievish innkaonor
or butcher, in whose house they had taken lodg.
Ing