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The Press and Banner. Twolve Pages. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1887. Christmas Customs. Churches and houses are decorated with evergreens at this season, in symbolic recognition of the eternity of the Son of God, who became a little child. The "evergreen" is adapted to express] this svmbolism. because it preserves I its foliage and life while other trees seem to die at the approach of winter, and to return to life in the spring. The custom catne in, doubtless, with the spread of Christianity among the nations of Northern Europe, where the people had heeti accustomed to till the heathen temples at this season with branches of evergreens. The missionaries, finding this a tradition, accepted it as one of the "unconscious prophecies of heathenism," and so made it a means of preaching Christ, as they did also the legend of lialdur, Hi t. . -1 ?S 1 If .. 1... 4\%rx r' llie liyillg gnu," W IIU \> JtS .Mill 11 UJ IIIV spirit of evil, and returned to life again. The vitality of the custom shows the wisdom of the early missionaries in adopting and Christianizing it, rather than permit a sHir to be cast upon it because of its confessedly heathen origin. It is to be noted that the mistletoe is not allowed in the churches, because it was sacred iu heathen rites. Connected with the evergreen deco ration is the Christmas-tree, which makes the young people so happy on Christmas-eve. This is of German origin. The symbolism of the Christ . T - 1 !_ T1 1 mas-tree is prettily expiameu in ur. Hopkins' well-known carol, "Gather Around the Christmas-tree." The | evergreen signifies the eternity of our Saviour, the lights that He is the light of the world, and the gifts that He is [ the giver of all grace and good. The connection of Santa Clans and I hanging up the stocking with Christl mas-e^e is post-reformation, and came ? to this couutry with the Holland Dutch who settled in New York. The proper festival of St. Nicholas, or Sauta Claus, is December 6, on which, in olden time, the fete of the "hoy-bishop" was held; doubtless originating in the desire to furnish nil i 1/1 con aflllAotaH I UUIUSCIllCUt IU I IIV VHUVUV.H VMUVUIVU in Ihe monasteries, and employed in the choirs of churches. The boy-bishop was elected on St. Nicholas' day, and held office among the children till Holy Innocents' day. "After this election," says Brand, "being completely appareled in the episcopal vestment, with miter and crosier, h? bore the title ana state or a oisnop, ana exacted ceremonial observance from his followers, who were draped like priests. On Holy Innocents' eve, the boy-bishop, with all the other children of the choir, read prayers in the church." St. Nicholas is the patron paint of sailors as well as of children, and was, probably, for this reason, the saint of the Hollanders, who came to this country. His connection with the secret giviug Ol U1 J^llIiUCU IIVMIJ I the legendary account of the saint having given portions to three daughters of a poor citizen, whose necessities had driven him to an intention of selling their virtue; and this he effected by throwing a purse filled with money, privately at night, in at the father's bed-room window, to enable him to portion them out honestly." "There is a festival or ceremony observed in Italy," says Brand, ''on St. Nicholas' day, wherein persons hide presents in the shoes and slippers of those they do honor to, in such manner as may surprise them on the morrow when they come to dress. This, it is reported, is done in honor of St. Nicholas, who used in the night time to throw purses in at the windows of poor maids to be married portions to them. In several convents in France it is customary, on the eve of St. Nicholas. for the hoarders to place a silk stocking at the door of the apartment of the abbess, with a piece of paper enclosed, recommending themselves to ^ V!/?Ka1?q /-v r lint* nli o iia Koi' . gictu OU ^ ll/liwias \/t net VUUUIWV4 j and tlie next day they were called' together to witness the saint's attention, who never failed to (ill the stockings with sweet-meats and other trifles of that kind, with which these crcdulom make a general feast." St. Nicholas was born in Patara, a city of Lyeia, and for his piety from a layman was made Bishop of Mvra. He died December Uth, A. I). 843, which is, therefore, his festival in the ({reek and Unman Churches. The change of giving presents in his "in"-' <>n Clii'ititni!is-i>vp ;irose jis \vn said, among the Protestants after the Reformation. The giving of Christmas presents is. of course, in memory of the "Peace on earth, good-will to men," which the angels announced as the effect of our .Saviour's birth. Kind treatment should always and | everywhere be the practice in bandog !ing u team. I'nder this regime, a | team, whether oxen or horses, will tlo g more work :i:id keep in better condi| tion than when treated in a rough and g brutal maimer. 7ALUE OF TIE NEWSPAPER. ? > OR, THE POWER AND TRUE MISSION OF THE PRESS. Testimony of Callioun, \npoIcon, and Wendell Phillips. Tie Press a Mightier Engine, More Powerful anfl Far-reaching, man the Pulpit Itself. ALL'EMRRAC'ING AM) SOl'MNVIGORATIX?. IT IS A XECESSIi* ? *: nv nrtil\KKK. AS Kir I llxj .1 ?> AM> an (XDISI'ekxable MOltAIj educator of tiik iioiik Cllt('I,e. So closely is the Pros* Allied to the Happiness of our FireNidcs that none !>nt the Barbarian and the Ilenthcn can AT* ford to Deny Themselves the *' * "> >"?? nn<i Mftut l.nstlnir Picas uros Hint arc Furnished by the Xewspnper. The following essay by Mi-s E. B. Cheeseborough, formerly of Charles ion, but now in the city of New York, has been awarded the premium for the best essay on the ''Mission of the Press " It will be read with interest, by all classes and conditions of people. From a Small Beginning the I'rPHs has Grown into a Great Power which Affects not only Individuals but Sways the Destinies of Nations. When the first semblance of a newspaper, tbe Acta Diurna, of Rome, sprang into being, it was little thought what a wide-spread and powerful in ? ?u:? nuence me numerous progeny wi who illustrious progenitor would exert iu the world. When the first dawn of journalism appeared, were tbere any whose prophetic vision, looking down the vista, ot ages, foresaw the glorious efful-l gence that now fills the remotest cor ners of the earth, and scatters the light of knowledge over the civilized world ? It is impossible to over-estimate the influence exerted by the newspaper. It is said that it follows popular opiii- J ion, but does it Dot oftener create it?| Can it be supposed tbat tbe Charles ton Mercury of old, with its strong, vigorous writers, whose pens were sledge hammers, and whose words were fire, had no part in forming and sus taining the peculiar political faith of the State ? What youth, who read its columns daily, and heard its teachings discussed, did not feel that iu Free Trade and State Rights dwell the truest wisdom and the highest glory of the Nation ? Did the New York Tribune, edited by Horace Greely, have nothing to do with formiDg and deepening the abolition sentiment of the North ? Did the youth who read it and drank in its J teachings, not believe it a gospel of truth, and form his life-long belief ac-1 cordingly ? The seed implanted in youth, doubtless yielded its fruit in maturity. Mr. Calhoun called the Press one of the instruments by which the mind of the rising generation is " "? i .1 .1 I. A/\_l I lormea; ana me mougauui uuservci must agree with him. If the Northern sword was mighty in conquering the South, the Northern Press was equally mighty in forming those opinions that led to the clash of arms and sent thousands of men forth to devastate Southern homes under the impression that they were doing sv in the uarae of patriotism. "Well might Napolson declare that "hostile papers are more to be feared ttau a thousand bayonets." The influence of the Press is immense. It is adamantine, and casnot be destroyed. Through it the masses j are reached, and opinion moulded. Statesmen and politicians seek it as a vehicle for influencing and directing the popular mind. There never was I any great movement, political, intellectual, religious, or charitable, that the Newspaper Press did not give a powerful impetus to the same. Wendell Thillips understood its value wlinn lir? cqw! "T,pf ns makfi tllO IieWS papers, aud I carc not what is preached iu the pulpit, or what is enactcd in Congress." TIIE PRESS A MIGHTIER ENGINE THAN THE PULPIT. While all are willing to accord to the pulpit its power to influence, we are apt to undervalue, or overlook, the | power of the Pres9. Yet the latter is | the mightier engine of the two. While i the power of the pulpit i3 limited to a j comparative few, the newspaper is in the hands and the homes of nearly all in the land. The man who never enters a church reads and studies the newspaper; and if its teachings are healthy and pure, they must necessarily exert a beneficial influence upon his heart aud his life. The cheapness of newspapers gives: them an immeuse circulation ; and he j [ is poor indeed who cannot afford to < buy them. I TIIE NEWSPAPER A POWERFUL AX J) | FAR REACHING FACTOR FOR GOOD. The very fact of its availability makes the newspaper a powerful and far reaching factor for good. It travels over the world; enters the palace and the cottage ; penetrates wher"i the voice of the pulpit cannot reach; aud goes into humble homes where the book, by reason of its greater cost, has no power to enter. Bui wer pronounced it a law book for the indolent, a sermon for the thoughtless, _ 1 i\ r il, a ~ TL rt nurary lur tuc puur. ? uc ucwo^aper is really the poor man's book, aDd oue that he oeed Dever go without. It has been said, "to teach a people to read, you make them virtuous." That depends on the kind of reading put before them. A newspaper, conducted in the interests of virtue and morality, cannot fail to exert a powerful in fluence for good. It is true, it j reports crime, uot for the purpose of satisfying any morbid cravings, but, because it is "a map of busy life," and, unfortunately, crime forms a great part of this life, and as a faithful chronicler of daily events, the newspaper cannot ignore the bad, and lloJf ci m nlv tn h o rrnnfJ At I I.WUUUO I lO\ J I l/w tuv gvuvi# the same time, while exposing crime, it denounces it. It often unmasks what is concealed ; and but for its efforts in this direction, many a criminal would escape the hand of justice. In this respect, the Press is not only a purifier of public morals, but a terror to evil doers. THE NEWSPAPER A FAITHFUL, NEVER WEARY, INVALUABLE TEACHER. The newspaper is a faithful, neverweary, and invaluable teacher. It carries a man out of the immediate circle of self. Shows him what is go ing on outside of his own narrow sphere, and brings the whole world to his doors, when he could not go to nnMtiAn A P if r\ork o no cvcu a oLuan puttiuu ut in pctuc?|/o? The newspaper is the greatest enlightens of the age. Without it a country would be plunged into an abyss of ignorance and prejudice. It would be as if a great Chinese wall was built up, excluding all the nations, hamper iog progress, and shutting out the light of knowledge. AS A TEACHER IT EXCELS ALL OTHERS. I The miscellaneous information im-l j parted by the newspaper makes it an invaluable teacher; and in this respect it excels all others. The pulpit and political orator, must confine himself to one theme; the public lecturer must do the same, and even the book cannot possibly embrace all the subjects treated of by the newspaper. A NEVER FAILING STREAM OF INFORMATION?REFRESHING AND >1124l)-l.NVXliUKA J MI*U. As an iraparter of information, its position is unique?there is nothing like it in the vast world of letters. Literature, science, art, religion, poli- j j tics, all come within its scope ; and ,he who diligently reads the newspa pers cannot fail of being a raau of extensive and general information. He drinks daily of a stream of ! varied knowledge, from a reservoir I deep and unfailing, refreshing and j mind-invigorating. As a moral teacher, a properly conducted Press is invaluable. It quick| ens sympathy for the poor and friend | less; touches the springs of charity, j and gold flows forth for the needy and j the suffering; it awakeus interest in |religious movements; aud holds up | for emulation deeds of heroism and | virtue. It speaks to the universal heart of mankind, not as ''sounding / : brass and a tiukling cymbal," but as I a teacher who feels that "life is real, j life is earnest," and that in the great ! work of ennobling, purifying, and I elevating the world, the newspaper Press must ever play an important part. THE NEWSPAPER A NECESSITY. The newspaper is a necessity to the ?A ?n/l f/\ familvr nil*. will iu at auu tu tu\i muunj v?* cle in particular. A house without newspapers is a desert without an oasis. The night of ignorance closes in darkly on such a home?a darkness that can he felt. There is no ambition, no progress in a household such as this, there is no ? Cl-li 1 J If expansion. oeiT revolves aruuuu ten, because there is no outlook into the great world beyond. The horizon is limited ; the area is narrow and con fined ; there is no room for thought, to soar, or intellect to expand. There was a period in the world known as the Dark Ages?a period of decay and destruction. Civilization perished ; ignorance ruled where learning had once sat enthroned. To the home without the enlightenment of newspapers the Dark Ages have come again. THE CHEAPEST AND BEST EDUCATOR. The parent who is derelict in pro viding good newspaper reading for his family, fails in a very important duty. He deprives them of an educator that costs hut little, and that is a powerful auxiliary to the school. In fact, it is 1 1 -c i :? ?ir a Buuuui vi itraruiug ilccu, uuu a vci jr important one, for it combines moral teaching with that which ifl intellectual. It drops the go~d seed in the youthful mind that may spring up into the fragrant flowers of morality and religion, that will blossom, not ouly for time, but for eternity too. THE WAY GOLDEN CHAINS ARE FORGED. A family who are always surrounded by the influence of healthy newspaper reading, are generally a wellordered family of observation and intelligence. Give the boys and girls an abundance of good newspapers bright, instructive, and healthy in tone, and you forge so many golden chains to keep them at home, and that so absorb and satisfy th^ mind that it craves no unhealthy excitement. It is as much the duty of parents to provide the home with at least one good newspaper, as it is to provide the food for the table. The mind needs providing for, as well as the body. Every aid to intelligence and morality should be encouraged, and therefore, the newspaper should form one of the elements in home culture. It is a teacher that always comes in an attractive and pleasing form, even to the young. It is a solace not only to the old, but it is a genuine pleasure ro me youthful miud. While it delights, it informs, and while it informs, it inspires to good, thus proving an inestimable blessing in the family circle, and an aid to the parent in the duties he has to perform to his children. MONEY WELL SPENT?NO ENTERTAINMENT COSTS AS LITTLE AS THE NEWSPAPER. The money speut in providing newspapers for family reading, is moDey well-spent. That which is expended on liquor, tobacco, and luxurious food, is money squandered for a fleeting and health*destroying pleasure. The newspaper is entertaining, and no entertainment costs so little as this. The money expended for two visits to the theatre will procure a newspaper for a vear. J The newspaper is instructive. It is cheaper than books and lectures, ami moreover the instruction given is more varied. The newspaper costs less than clothling or food, public amusements or | books; and iu view of its beneficial j iullueuce iu the family circle, its power j to instruct, amuse, elevate and ennoble, I the raoDey spent for newspapers brings ' in a larger return than money spent j for auythiugelse. j Therefore, the newspaper should not . be counted among the superfluities of j the family?something that can be dispensed with, and not missed. WHAT A MAN* SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO ADMIT. A man should be ashamed to say that his means do not admit of his subscribing to the newspaper. There is scarccly a man or woman in tbc .V. * - United States?pre-eminently the land of newspapers?who cannot afford a newspaper. This excuse might have held good in oWen times, when newspapers came into being by a laborious process, and wheu the hand performed expensively what the huge press now does cheaply. In the early days of the newspaper, it was merely a luxury for the rich ; now it is a necessity for the noor. and a cheaD necessity too. C ? r " THE RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY OF THE EDITOR. If the Press is a power in the land for good or evil, how immense, then must the responsibility be of those who control it. No oue should undertake the work who is not fully alive to the responsibility he has assumed. The editor should wield the sword of truth, and bold the scales of justice. He should enter the family circle as| an angel of light, and Dot as the ser- 1 pent entered Eden, to blast and to de- < stroy. 1 He should ever bear in mind that he is an intellectual aud moral educator, and that his paper is something more than the mere means by J which he gains a living. It isamigbty fectoi in the cause o^ * education and human progress; a ! ?' 1 1 f _ * . 4l . 1 ./? oweriui pieaaer in tne interest or suiferiDg humanity; a friend to religion ; ] and a helper in every good and bene? ] ficent work. Such is the true Mission of the i Press; and the editor who reveres and properly appreciates his high calling, stands like the statue of Guttenburg 1 in the city of Strasburg, with a print- j ing press by his side, and a scroll in his hand, with the inscripiou?"And { the e was light" Oyergrown Boys. i 111 1- L- - mere uun scurueiy ue u mure iriincu method of cruelty than that of ridiculing the awkward movements of a boy whose superfluity of flesh or stature prevents his moving gracefully among his more naturally formed brothers and sisters, and yet fathers and mothers, as well as thoughtless friends or playmates, are often guilty of thus wounding the feelings of the over(rpni?n linir whn iu sr? nnfnrtnnnffi fts tn W./J .W WV ? ? have been born among them. Even the attainment to a noble and perfectly symmetrical stature (which the years always briug to such a one, if his health does not fail under the extra imposition of labor which his mistaken friends require of him), cannot atone for the cruel hurts he thus receives. If he is a sensitive child, they rankle in his very soul, and do untold harm there. Some parents are in such haste for their children to become men and women that they force them on, hasten their development in every possible way, and if nature favors them by bestowing a more than ordinary growth in bone and flesh upon any of their children they are rejoiced to have the excuse 10 impose uu lies aim cauul uchavior according to tlie number of pounds avoirdupois, when in reality there is no standard to go by. Too many children are thun defrauded 01 their childhood, and who is prepared to answer to such a charge, by and by, when it shall be brought against him? - H'hnJ rhinnnipn Haya DniiP. China is nearly as large as Europe, and contains a much larger population. every third man in the world being, it is calculated, a Chinaman. Their progress in the past has been most marked ; thus the Chineseappsar to have been among the earliest, if not the very earliest, of the human ract to emerge from barbarism. They have a literature older lhan the days of Moses, and astronomical observations that go back at least to the days of Abraham. Comparing their early progress with that of European nations, they were clothed in -ilk robes when our savage ancestors still painled their naked j bodies. They invented printing, and j had printed books about the middle of the tenth century, 500 years before the time of G'axton. Gunpowder and the mariner's compass were Chinese in-1 ventlons long before they were known j to Europeans. Lieut. H. N. Shore pointed out some time ago that in the matter of canals, the utilization of carrier pigeons, the artificial culture of oysters, fish, and poultry, and in the 1 satisfactory solution of the great sewage question, the Chinese have been i before us in time, and, in some of these at least, are still aliead of us in results. Nigrht Air. "ft often has seemed queer to me that fO many object to night air in their bed-rooms," observed an intel)i>, gent gentleman. "We can't breathe j any other at night. The choice is be-1 tween probably pure air from without and certainly foul air from within. Half the diseases from which we suffer are canscil by keeping the windows ! down. The quietness, tne auuenee ui | I du<t and etc., make night the best j time for airing a patient. In great' cities night air is often the purest that j | can be had in the twenty-four hours. | | ft iy conceded that the air in London i is never so good as after ten o'clock at; ! night. Windows are made to open,! doors are made to shut, yet too many! of us seem to forget that. I keep bedroom windows open the summer nights, and there isn't a more healthy family in the city than mine. - I The curse of all tlie churches in this country is that tlic.v liaye got thousands of members who have not been! convicted of siu, much less converted; to God. 0 Little Town of Bethlehem. i'' BY PHILLIPS BROOKS. O little town of Bethlehem, How still we nee thee lief ' >: Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent hours go by. Yet. in thy dnrlr streets shlneth j The everlasting Light: j The hopes and fears of all the years Are met In thee to-night. For Christ In born of Mary, And gathered all above, While mortals sleep the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. 0 morning stars, together Proclaim the holy i>irth ! And praises Ring to God the King, And peace to men ou earth. How silently, how silently. The wondrous gilt is given ! Ho (jod Imparts to human hearts The blessings of Ills heaven. Noear may hear His coming; , But hi this world of sin. Where meek souls will receive Him still. The dear Christ enters in. 0 holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray! Cast out our sin ami enter in : Be born in us to-day. Wa hnar tV\n Plii-Utmiie ancplfi The great glnd tidings tell; Oh, como to us, Mhld?- with us. Our Lord Emmauuel! Aboat "Salt." "Let your speech be always with \4 grac<\ seasoned with salt." When you give your cellar its fall cleaning, add a little copperas-water and ?ilt to the while-wash. For relief from heart-burn or dyspepsia, drink a little cold water in which has hoen dissolved a teaspoouftil of salt. Sprinkling salt on the tons and at the bottoms of garden walla is said to keep snails from climbing up or down. f For weeds in the grass put a pinch :>r two of salt in the middle of each, ind, unless a shower washes it off, it will kill the weeds. Ink stains on linen can be taken out if the stain is first washed in strong ialt and water and then sponged with ^ lemon juice. In a basin of water, salt, of course, falls to the bottom : so never soak salt fish with the skin side down, as the ?alt will fall to the skin and remain there. For stains on the handd nothing is better than .1 little salt with enough lemon juice to moisten it, rubbed on the spots aud then washed off in clear water. If a chimney or flue catch on fire, close all windows and doors first; then hang a blanket in front of the grate to exclude all air. Water should never be poured down the chimney, as it ^ spoils the.carpets. Coarse salt thrown down the flue is much better. Salt and water boils at a higher temperature than water alone; so a little salt should be added to tne waier in which all vegetables are cooked, even if the receipt calls for more seasoning at the last. A teaspoonful of salt to a quart of water is the riyht proportion. Arithmetical Puzzles for the Little Renders. 1. He that receives one receives two. 2. Three are better than four. When is that the case? 3. One is better than two. TVho said so? 4 One is more than eleven times ? ? n I MiUnHAr?M\9 nine. Ill wnose uytrs ; liuumicicium 5. When are twice one three? and three times one four? 6. Who reckoned that one hundred was more than ten thousand Matthew 18 gives the answers: L Verse 5. 2. Verse 8. 3. Verse 9. 4. Verse 12. 5. Verse 20. 6. Verse 28. It is very easy to lower our standard of reverence for anything. We have only to speak of it habitually in alight way. There is nothing like it to take the life out of the most precious texts of .Scripture. We uiuy repent of such sin with bitfer weeping; but those words can never be to us again what they were before. We may have cut down a bridge we shall some day vainly long to cross. In feeding cattle, the utility of 1 " ?'J til nut Ko onriQPOnf tA irUU^US ailU XaVAO llJUCl uv Ufrf/MIVMV ?.r every one. And yet the custom . of many is to throw the feed on the ground, a practice which is wasteful, in the first place, and which cannot be agreeable "to the animals. Rack* should be arranged so they can be reached on both sides. Troughs, some think, do belter t:> be reached from only one side. The most wholesome j>ork is not made by shutting the pigs up in a small pen, but by allowing them plenty of room for oxerci.se. They should be fed all they will eat up clean and the fattening "pushed along as as quickly as possible before severe weather comes. The fall isan excellent time to so?v blue grass, broad casting the seed evenly, ten pounds to the acre, on ground that is well prepared, manured and harrowed. It has been demonstrated that roup in fowls and diphtheria in children are identical; hence care should be taken when roup appears in a flock of fowls. According to Dr. Phares of Mississippi the best beef is made from wellmalured animals, no matter bow old. Foul air poisons farm animals as rapidly and surely as it does human beings, veiunaie me su?uil'?. We know of but one authem composed and sung by angels, and that most harmoniously combines the glory of God in the highest, with Peace on earth and good-will to men. A literary lycenm in a Western town is wrestling over the question : "Is the proper definition of an eilitor a man who puts things in a paper or a man who keeps uiem out?" [.Scarcely a more sensible question could he jmit to .sensible people.?Ki>. (\ N.j He who has ivased to gain or irrow ha-' ceased to live?as he ought to live. Life, like any other treasure, is to be measured in its value by its wise use rather than by its safe hoarding. The best time for doing a good work ic \vh<in that work ottirht to be done? whether one feels like it or not. A man may say loo much, even upon the best of subject*. ; It is the summit of humility to bear the imputation of pride. j Knowledge -rood only as it aids in making people- belter and happier. ^ J