South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-21

Christmas tree this vear-the most prosper
- GUS year iu point OF available dollars en- our
history.is but another evidence Of Nctzscheza-
ton since the war. materialisu against which
rallied so consistently when promoting.
that with tho reaction following Tho armistice.
have become diseased almost 10 the point OF
pleto absorption
The excuse that tho money is 70 bc turned over
20 tho Salvation Army or someone else. 20 be given
10 the poor. does not change the situation These
poor are no more numerous than IN previous years;
are even less nurncrous-and have had munici-
pa Christmas trees for years past. the
samo time caring for the poor. and with less ma
teriaI prosperity TO draw upon
Neither need tho tree have been abandoned be-
cause OF choirs being fndsposed sing Christ
mas carols--in tho open air,-or TO avoid listening
90 John DeHaven announce the arrival OF the wise
mon OF the east" These we're mere Incidents the
ceremony OF "A moment-and Christmas means more
than carols more than megaphones, and more
than ceremonies
The big thing about the municipal Christmas
tree was none of these II was the tree Itself and
It that shaped cluster OF electric bulbs
remindful OF the day and the reason for It: that
.Htar reckoning the community think OF BethIe-
hem and OF the Babe in the manger, and Gods
gift the world to spiritualize the ages-there
lighted every night and day too for that matter
than meat and the body more than raiment'
talk about sabbath dissertation Most of US do
not like to talk about it. Besides here is a day
(which to unhypocritical Chrstendom means
more than million Sabbaths; that is IL we believe
lat all in commemorating the birth OF Him from
WHOM Christianity gets its name.--or in practicing
ats precepts
And yet. we celebrate the Christmas largely with
EIuttony the evening up OF gifts getting other
lvise by giving back TO the poor some of the
Things OF which greedy and n-Christian system
IOf economies has robbed them. Mention Christianity
Incident to Christmastids undertake its obser-
vance in something Of a spiritual sense as we'll as
by material gifts and the professedly pous
lat you IN wOnderment. put you down as cracked"
and brand your insistence sentimental slush"
The material. MATERIAL Material! we are so
everlastingly absorbed IN the qualification OF the
I'VE senses. that-well. the sixth has become
quite as inactive with the OF US was with
the ancient barbarian. Oh. but how we bewailed
the atheism OF the Prussan under the materiastlc
guidance OF Nietzscheism! And it is the natural
tendency. II you want nation OF atheists keep
right on this shunting aside every little symbol
very little reminder. such as the Christmas tree
and the electric star.-vvhich might serve to keep
alive, at least rekindle a thought in a mind here
and there, or spiritual source somewhere upon
which to draw for nobler ideals and better deeds
Not only should the Christmas tree and the star
decorate the court house lawn this Christmastide
but we would recommend for Good Friday until
Easter the erection OF crucihx. remind sinful
man. and tho man who thinks he Is without sin. OF
Sis crime committed at Q alvary'-and which he is
committing still. For the crucihxon of the physical
ct GoIgotha nothing compared with the
rrucifNIon OF the spiritual that has down
through tho ccnturies-and got I'm its work even
the sidctracking OF the municipal Christmas
Frankly the man of thought impulse. with
out the philosophical turn OF mind keep his
judgment balanced. has, when surrounded by the
present matcrlalistlo mould given TO all things
about an lac do to keep from accepting atheism
as matter or coursc-which is well-nigh what
cur modern practice Of Christianity amounts to-
q holy trinity with a fourth dimension, mammon.
dcmiuaJus al tho others. Down deep in hearts
We don't believe what pretend In profess
sion. Things would not be a they are-and tho
poor hiIe all prohting dollars TO our for
mcr cents. would not need DO fed at Yuetide on
tho sHet cf municipal Christmas tree to
she cxtiuguishmcnt or bethlehem
THAT EUROPEAN PEACE .SCHEDJU ED