Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-A Bobby’s Christmas Eve Dream Christmas Gifts § m ± :AT: | COPELflfD-STONE COMPANY | / MEANING cf CHRISTMAS BV *EV. T. B. ORBOORT UT for Its great days. In* carnatlng and flashing forth the ideal, hunuinity would have no more history than a flock of sheep. Such days are the monu ments of mental and spiritual achieve ment, the eternal reminders of the only true progress—the progress that enables us to perceive and admire the moral sublime. Conspicuously radiant among these gala days is the Christmas, standing as it does for the nativity of One who, an theological quibbling aside, was the living embodiment of the most beau tiful and. at the same time, the most helpful manhood that this world has ever seen. The one who is foremost in our thoughts at this time was pre-eminent ly hopeful. From the harp over which he swept his hand there came no pessimistic strain, no note of de spair. He gave us the gospel, the “Glad Tidings.'' To all his word was “Be not afraid.” The Supreme in whose embrace he ever rested, like the babe in mother's arms, was supreme love. Hence that other word of his, which he was so fond of repeating to the multitude,' “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Religion, so-called, is responsible for a vast amount of mental misery. It has erased many -a mind, broken many a heart, driven countless thou sands into the throes of despair, but let it*be remembered that the Beauti ful One who is commemorated in the Christmas season authorized no man, or combination of men, to speak in his name the word of gloom. He who was born In Bethlehem,, or in Nazareth, for it makes no differ ence where he first saw the light of earth, grew up to be the most uncom promising optimist that ever walked the wayn of earth. Wherever he went, along with bin) went gladness, and from his radiant presence despair fled as the darkness flees before the rising Sun. He was like the wonderful river in the sea, warming and encouraging all that he touched. The Gulf Stream of humanity, he put new life and cour age and joy into the cheerless, sor rowing world to which-he came. And he was able to do this because he was so gloriously hopeful, so stanchly committted to the belief in the best Looking np, he saw. Instead of the “black, bottomless eyesocket,” the liv ing, loving glance of the “Father,” whose “eternal goodness” would never do him harm. Looking ahead, this man saw no spooks or bogies, no devils or fiends In the way. The path was clear, and over it hung no dark clouds of impend- • ing disaster. If Jesus had written a poem we may be sure that it would have been very similar to Whittier’s: I know not where his Island* lift Their trended palms lif air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond his love and care. And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled oar; No harm can come from him to BA On ocean or on shore. Now it Is just this sort of spirit that every ode •should f£el within the soul at this Christrftas time—the spirM ©f a brave trustfulness, of a rock- ribbed mufldenc© and hope. lie rot afraid of aayth;rg. To : 1 ’ V afraid |s to be a Sham, a cringing menial, a nobody; while to be able to believe in the best and to trust that, no matter what our evil genius may suggest to the contrary, the light awaits us on ahead. Is to be a hero and a conqueror, a friend and helper to all mankind. ' It Is well, then, that in obedience to old custom we should throw about the Christmas season, the parti-colored mantle or joy and wreathe it vhth the heart's most exurberant gladness. It would be a shame not to be glad, and not to try to make everybody else glad, on Christmas day! On Christmas day to be a cypic and to curl the lip of scorn at sight of the rosy festivities about ns, wonld be an unpardonable crime, the very abyss of the mean and contemptible. It is a part of the unwritten law of every healthful heart that when Christmas comes we are to “put our best foot forward,” cast all care to the winds and be as full of gladness and good will as ap^egg is of meat. And right here in this unconquer able optimism we find the only true and genuineq£hrlstianity. The one whose birth the Christmas signalizes came to replace tears by smiles, sor row by happiness, worry by confi dence and despair by the “hope that maketh not ashamed,” and in his name I wish you ail a “Merry Christ mas!”—not merely an abundance of turkey and pluip pudding, but an ex tra abundance of “good will to men,” with no lack of the disposition and resolye to make everything else as happy as yourselves. To Dolly AGUpifitmafflinut CRB'S gladness to every one—open your hearts to it ill year round—don't keep them dosed until you are shamed into pry ing them open with m jimmy on Christmas— make every day a Christ mas Day—get rid of your grouch—throw it overboard and don't throw out a lifeline if It cries to be saved—let H drown—it will do the poor thing good. Some Legends of Christmas Celebrations iraHKfmm Tomorrow’s Christmas, Dolly, dsar, So off to bad we’ll go. Ws'U hang our socks upon the sh« original “halcyon days” were at Christmas, and were so-called because the halcyon, an ancient name for the king fisher, was said to build its nest upon the waters at this time of year. It was generally supposed that this bird, through the influence.of the holy sea son, had the power to still the waves and winds, so that the 'weather was peaceful and calm, and enabled the halcyon to lay her eggs in her floating nest and brood upon them with perfect safety. - : -x In olden times It was believed That all nature testified in various ways to a. recognition of the great event com memorated in the celebration of Christ mas. The winds and seas, as well as the animals and plants and all other living things, gave evidence of knowl edge of the approaching glorious anni versary and became Imbued with the prevalent spirit of adoration, joy and peace. Tradition tells ns that at the mo ment of the Savior’s birth a universal peace reigned throughout the earth, that a deep silence rested upon the world, the birds stopped in their flight, the cattle ceased to feed, men became motionless with sudden awe in the midst of their labors, and the stars glittered with added luster. From this tradition came the superstitions of the middle ages relating to the miraculous phenomena supposed to occur annu ally at Christmas, many of which still survive. Bells’, too, have their legends. In a village near Raleigh, in Nottingham shire, England, there la now a valley where once there was • picturesque and prosperous village, but an earth quake swallowed it np; yet every Christmas since, the bells of the bur led church are heard chiming. Similar tales are told of Prestcn, In Lancashire, and Been, in the Nether lands. This latter city was famed for its beauty and magnificence, and also for the sins and avarice of ltd inhabi tants. On the anniversary of his birth, the Saviour came as a beggar and went from door to door; but, although Christmas festivities were being kept up, nobody wonld give him alms. Sin was abundant on ail sides, but there were no Christmas goodwill and char ity, and he called to the sea and it came and completely covered the un holy city of Been. But at-Christmas time even now comes the joyous peal ing of bells from under the water. p<m the shslT s. Though! ^ For Father Christmas, though! Don't try to keep awake, my dear« But ~uut your eves up tight. If we’re awake, ho Is so eky, He’s sure to take to flight 117E HAVE» * ’ of Christr some and USE ure and make ; year through, most desirable will secure the LADIES Coats Coat Suits Middy Suits Silk Dresses Wool Dresses Cotton Dresses Skirts Petticoats Silk Waists Cotton Waists Furs Kimonas Camisoles Heads Toilet Soap St at ionery ' Bath Hol>es Sweaters Rain Coats Muslin Underwear - Knit Underwear Wool Underwear Silk Hose Tiisle I lose Wool Hose Kid Gloves Wool Gloves Silk Handkerchiefs Cotton Handkerchiefs Corsets ~ Corset Covers Purses Hand Bags Shoes Rubber Shoes- House Shoes ill make the joy year— Hand- ill bring pleas- ast the whole the season’s o shop early » CHILDREN 'oats )resses • Sweaters roboggans aps (Furs FKimonaa—■■■"■; Rain Coats Muslin Underwear Knit Underwear V ~ Silk H ose Lisle Hose Wool Gloves Silk Handkerchiefs Cotton Handkerchiefs Shoes „ ► 1 Rubt>er Shoes Beauty Pins Talcum Powder Elastic Beads Wool Goods, Laces, Embroiderie Floss, Wool Blanket Art Squares, Linoleu things, for lack of Sp [Table Linens, Doiles, rochet Cotton, Wool Counterpanes, Rugs, tases, and many other Come here for tween 9 a. m. and ' ing so you will helj ihop Early—and be- restrictions.. By do- well. “A XL” * Copelar The skuUe of the three Wise Men, each encircled with a crown of jew- ~ eled gold, are among the relics In Cologne cfltbedrav. ^ PHONE 47 ompany CLNTON, S. C V