Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I i 7 i v \ • i Page Four THE CLINTON CHRONICLE Thursday; December 23, 1948 iChristmas Went Underground With Puritan Ban of 1644 'T'HERE was a time when Christ- A mas went underground. People ■who advocated Christmas were in danger of arrest and imprisonment and it looked as though Christmas ■was on its way out. It all happened around 1644 when the Puritans in England forbade any merriment or; religious serv ices, by act of parliament, on the ground that it was a heathen festival. What resulted was much grumbling, breaking of the law and a Christmas underground which ■wrote and, distributed pamphlets in favor of Christma?. In 1648, for instance, was pub lished “Canterbury Christmas.” This pamphlet gives an account of the subsequent proceedings after the Cryer of Canterbury had upon Wednesday, December 22. “openly proclaimed that Christmas day and all other superstitious festivals should be put downe. and a market should be kept on Christmas day. Winch being not observed, (but very ill taken by the country) the * town was thereby uriserved with provision and trading very much hindered; which occasioned great discontent among people, caused them to rise in a rebellious way.” Among the rarest of the pam phlets issued at that time is entitled “The Examination and Tryal of Old Father Christmas.” In this little volume, “one old Christmas w'as commanded to be brought to .the Bar, then was a jury for Life and Death to be impaneled.” “The Judge was called Judge Hate-bate, the Sheriff's name was called Leonard Love-peace.” In the end Christmas is acquitted, but is cautioned by Judge Hate-bate, “for avoiding all such scandals as have been cast upon you for the future, do think fit to admonish you, that you remember your Office is not so much to feast the Body, as to refresh the soul, by thankful and pious Meditations.” Charles II re-established Christ mas in 1678 and “jolly Old Father Christmas” has never had to stand trial since. chose a royal blue suit with a cor sage of pink carnations. They left immediately for k wed ding trip. Mrs. Thornton is the daughter of Rev .and Mrs. C. J. Sex ton. Mrs Humphrey is the daugh ter of Mrs. Lillie Mae Mills. Bailey Memorial Church To Have Christmas Program The Christmas program at Bailey j Memorial Methodist church will be! held tonight (Thursday) at the with Santa Claus will be there. The i church at 7:30. The Christmas tree, public is cordially jnvited to at tend. WEST CLINTOK SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NEWS MRS. JOE CAMPBELL, Correspondent and Representative Members of W. M. S. Visit County Home The Woman”s missionary society of Bailey Memorial Methodist church i visited the county home Monday eve- ! •ning and presented the inmates with fruit, candy and gifts. Rev. John H. Holland gave the devotional and made a short talk, and Christmas carols were sung. Ever-Ready Class Ennjoys Christmas Party On Friday evening the members of the Ever-Ready' class of Calvary Baptist church enjoyed their an-! nual Christmas party at the home oi i their teacher, Mrs. Joe Campbell, j Upon arrival the guests were seat-! d at the tables and a bountiful chick en supper w r as served by candle light. Miss Maudine Yarborough, whd represented Santa Claus, distributed the gifts. Mrs. Campbell gave each one a gift, and received a beautiful set of pottery from the class. Christmas carols, with Miss Polly i Dav’enport as pianist, were sung. I An enjoyable evening was enjoyed by all. ^ Among The Sick Mrs. James Craine continues ill at her home on Bailey street. Friends of Mrs. Henry Caughman | are sorry to know she is a patient j at Hays hospital. Mrs. Brooks Dunaw r ay is able to return to work after being ill. Mrs. O. R. Rollins is recuperating after being a hospital patient. Birthdays and Wedding Anniversraies Luke Fuller will have a birthday December 27 . J. C. Meadors celebrated a birth day December 17. Mrs. William Cannon will have a birthday December 28. , 1 Mr. and Mrs. Thornton Meadors, Will celebrate their 16th wedding an niversary December 24. Lena Gilliam has a birthday De cember 27. i Pentecostal Holiness Church Has Play The Pentecostal Holiness church held their annual Christmas play Tuesday evening at the church. “The Christmas jVoice" was presented with the following characters: Older Brother—Jimmy Berry. Younger Brother— Harold Mead ors. Sisters—Jo Ann Barker, Ruby Kimbrough, Jeanette Glenn, Eliza beth Sexton, Ella Mae and Harriett Burgess, Darrie Wood and Harold Simmons. Poor Man—Cecil Wooten. Poor Woman—Ruth Oxner. Radio Announcer—Bobby Wooten. The Christmas Voice—Olin Morris. Radio Reader—Nettie McQuire. Radio Singers—Nell Canfield, Pat sy and Sylvia Braswell. Angels—Caroline Davis and Vel ma Braswell. ■Short recitations by Taft Suivey, Nita Braswell, Joyce Creswell and Maxie Davis. The program was under the direc tion of Mesdames Paul Smith, Cecil Wooten and Nettie McQuire. Mrs. Howard Entertains With Christmas Party Members of the Woman’s mission ary society of Calvary Baptist church enjoyed their annual Christmas party Tuesday evening at the home of Mrs. Laura Mae Howard. 'Upon arrival the guests were greeted by the hostess and minia- j ture corsages oif holly were pinned on all. The home was festive throughl out with holiday decorations of red glads, pine and holly. Tall red candles and softly played Christmas carols made a real Yuletide atmos phere. Games and contests were under the direction of Mrs. R. B. Amick, co-hostess, and prizes were awarded to Mesdames J. J. Smith, Grady Smith, J. W. Spillers and Miss Inez ! Byrum. A lighted tree was a special i feature and gifts were exchanged. Mrs. Amick, president, was present- : ed a lovely gift for faithful service. A salad course with coffee was served. Birth Announcement Foster Mr. and Mrs. Hoyle Foster of j Wilmington, N. C., announce the birth of a son, Charles Benny, on December 20. Mrs. Foster is the former Miss Ed na Strickland oif Norfolk, Va. Mr. Foster is the son of Mr. and Mrs. ! S. C. Foster of this city. WE DO ALL KINDS OF PRINTING —EXCEPT BAD r CHRONICLE PUBLISHING CO. It MERRY CHRISTMAS is with pleasure that I send sincere.greetings for a Merry Christ mas to all friends and readers of my West Clinton News. Mrs. Joe Campbell, Cor. Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mattox vis ited Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Harvey in Greenwood Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. David Simmons and family^ of Abbeville, spent Sunday with Mrs. Essie B. Simmons. Miss Doris Arnold of Florence, spent several days during the week with her parents, Mr. 'and Mrs. J. L Arnold. Mrs. Carrie Bell- P ■teat and Dawn Campbell spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Abbott Sr., in Greenville. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reid and children, Manville Reid and son of Lyman, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs John Word. Mrs. E. Mi Reid returned home with them for a visit. Mrs. E. A. Bradshaw and Mrs. Virgil Sanders, MisS Sybil Brad shaw of Spartanburg, visited Mr. and Mrs. Grover Sanders Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. J F. Weir and Miss Marie Weir visited Mr .and Mrs. W. O. Weir in Greenville Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wood of Greenwood, spent the week-end with Mrs. Ora Wood. Mr. and Mrs. S. B Snelgrove and sons' were visitors in Greenville Saturday. Miss Arlene McCullough; student at Lander college. Greenwood, and Christopher Davenport of Green wood. are spending tne holidays with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Davis and family of Greenwood, were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mat- *. ix and Mrs. Leila'Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Simmons and Connie, and Mrs. Essie B. Simmons and Evelyn visited Roy Swangham, who is a patient at the Veteran's hospital ,n Augusta, Ga.. during the week-end. Mr. and, Mrs. C. C. Abbott of Greenville, visited relatives here Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Julian Clapp of An derson. Mr and Mrs. Dunk Pow- e:*’ of Laurens, visited Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Riddle Sunday. Mrs. Mattie Campbell is visiting her daughter in Biloxi, Miss., during the holidays. John Arnold has returned home- after visiting his brother. Toy Ar nold. in Woodruff several weeks. Miss Myra Cooper spent several days with relatives herp recently. Charles Meadors Has returned home after completing a radio repair school in Fort Bonmouth, N. J. Mr and Mrs. L. C. Ficklin and Mrs. M. T. Fickljn and Miss Grace Ficklin visited relatives in Green wood Sunday. ~~ Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Long and f^m- ■ ily visited John Eaton, who . is- ill in Pelzer. Sunday. Mr. and Mrs W. E. Braswell, Mrs. Irene Griffin and Sandra, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Wooten and Mrs. R. C. Oxner were visitors in Spartanburg Sunday. , Mrs. Thornton Meadors and son, Mrs Leila Smith, Joe Strickland and Luther Strickland visited Henry Thompson, who is seriously ill in Gastonia. N. C., last week. Rev. and Mrs. J. W. Spillers at tended the funeral of Alvin Bracken in Liberty Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Evans and Lamar Price spent 'the week-end with relatives in Wrightsville, Ga. S-Sgt. and Mis. Richard Foster of Greenville, are spending the holi days wgh Mr and Mrs. S. C. Foster. Mr. anu Mrs. Frank Jacks and sons, Mrs. AdB. Stone and Mrs. Lau ra Mae Howard visited at Bob Jones college in Greenville Sunday. Calvary Baptist Church Has Program Calvary Baptist church had its annual Christmas party last night at the church. "The Search for The Christ Child.” a Christmas play wherein a little child keeps’ faith in spite of all obstacles, and thus brings otheVs. to believe, was pre sented. The characters were: The Child—Alma Spillers. The Boy—'IJarl McCullough. The Girl—Maudine Yarborough. Mother—Poley Brazil. Her Daughter—Betty Spillers. The Lady—Laura Mae Howard. The Gentleman—Dial Jacks. The Bell Ringer—Tom Brown. The Carolers—Mae Eden, Nell Canfield and Vivian Clark. The Scientist—Joe Spillers. The Revelers—Catherine Dunaway and Virginia McCullough. Directed by Mrs. R. B. Amick with Miss Polly Davenport, pianist, and special Christmas music. In conclusion a Christmas tree and gifts, given by Santa Claus was a special feature. Double Ceremony Unites Couples In a ceremony characterized by simplicity and beauty Miss Eugenia Lee Sexton and Lee Thornton and Miss Rachiel Thornton of this city and Gerald Humphrey of Joanna, were united in marriage on Satur day evening, December 18. The vows were spoken at the home of Miss Sexton’s parents, with Rev. C. J. Sexton officiating, using the ring ceremony. An improvised altar was formed before the mantel in the living room. On either side were floor baskets of gladioli. For her marriage Miss Sexton wore a green suit with brown ac- cessories and a shoulder corsage of white carnations. Miss Thornton TO YOU, ONE AND ALL! As a gesture of thanks, we extend these Greetings to our friends. Your loyalty and consideration means much to us and we are grateful. MERRY CHRISTMAS! GENE ANDERSON’S e As the Yuletide bells ring out the message cf joy to the world at this glad season of the year, v/e wish to add our expression of goodwill and Christ mas cheer to all those whom we know and those whom we would like to know. For both young and old there are untold joys at Christmas time. There's laughter and gayety and warmth in the hearts of men — there's happi ness that knows no bounds — there's a spirit of giving that is beautiful to behold . . . there's a bright sparkle in the eyes of the kiddies, an excite ment in their little beings that only visions of Santa can bring. May the Season bring forth all the joy and hap piness that is rightfully yours and may you enter into a New Year with an abundance of happiness and success, enough to continue throughout the coming twelve months. Our very best wishes to you, and you, and you! .X* v V >. m i '/,, f V' fV* l\ •/ V IA We Are Thinking of Our Loyd Employees — We Extend Every Good Wish To You and Those Dear To You at This Happy Season. Clinton Cotton Mills ••• and... Lydia