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McCORMICK MESSENGER, McCORMICK, S. C„ THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1937 T HERE was not to be any Christmas tree at the little charch at the head of Smoke Creek that year; and of the several families who lived there, not more than half were expecting Santa Ohms. The dark days hadjeft the dismal little valley or hollow'evoa- mere gloomy than it had been in better years, when the mines across the ridge in the next hollow gave some employment to the heads of the families of Smoke Creek. . Jim Knox, who lived at the very head of the stream, was perhaps He Noticed Something Like a bard Tacked on Hathway’s Door. the most unhappy of all in the little "settlement.” His wife and only child, a son of seven, had died, and his nearest neighbor was Joe Hathway, a bitter enemy with whom he had had many difficulties. So that lonely night of Christmas eve as Jim sat before the open wood fire, with the light of blazing hick ory logs his only company, he was not without fear for his own safety— he knew Joe Hathway had threat ened his life. As he sat dreaming his eyes hap pened to rest upon his rifle standing in the comer of the log room. "That gun or Joe Hathway’s will some day tell the tale,” he said to him self. He meant that one day, like so many others down the lonesome stream, either he or Joe would go —and using a common mountain ex pression, "with his boots on.” He did not care—life had come to mean but little for him. While Jim was thus dreaming, Joe Hathway sat in another log cabin but a few yards down the stream. By chance Joe’s attention was called to a book on a shelf. The school teacher had given it to his daughter who had died from the epidemic on the creek. The title appealed to him—"The Christmas Carol.” He took the book and be gan to read. Page after page and chapter after chapter, he read on. It was the first book Joe had ever read. It filled him with new visions and new ways of thinking. He read on till midnight and had been so impressed that he decided to read a chapter from the Bible before going to bod. By mere accident the chap ter was one on the birth at Bethle hem. Its teaching overpowered him —he had found the more abundant life. • • • On Christmas morning when Jim Knox went out to the spring for a pail of water he noticed something like a card tacked on Joe Hath way’s door. He saw no smoke from the chimney. Taking in the water, cautiously he approached Joe’s cab in door, and read the note which said: “Dear Jim: You will find me gpne. I was reading some last night in ‘The Christmas Carol’ and in the Bible. I read that verse that told of peace and good will to man. Said to myself, ‘My family is all gone—the last was Mary. She left the book to get me on the right track. There’s nothing in this hol low for me any more. Maybe I can find work by New Year’s over on Cedar Creek’ You and I never could get along. So to make things better for us both hereafter I am leaving at daybreak. And Jim as I say ‘Good-tw*,’ I also wish to say, ‘Peace on earth good will to men.’ ” And as another result of "The Christmas Carol” two mountaineers were better men, and though they had no Christmas cards or presents, and no holiday programs, the pines on the hillsides seemed a bit green er and the music of the streams seemed sweeter. © Western Newspaper Union. Boxing Day Is Time for Making Christmas Gifts HP HE first weekday after Christ- mas, Boxing day, is a legal and bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but not in Scot land. This is the day on which "Christmas boxes” or gifts are ex pected by, and given to, errand boys, servants, letter carriers, etc., observes a writer in the Detroit News. The name "Christmas box” is often applied there to the ordinary gift at this season of the year, apart from this usage. References to the "apprentice’s box” and "butler’s box” as far back as the Sixteenth century indicate that these gratui ties were at one time placed in an earthenware box, which could be opened on Boxing day only by breaking it. It appears also that the early church had alms-boxes which were opened only on that date. Chambers’ Book of Days states that the institution of "Christmas boxes” evidently is akin to that of New Year’s gifts and, like it, has descended from the times of the an cient Romans who at the season of the Saturnalia, practiced universal ly the custom of giving and receiv ing presents. Bells of Christmas; T OM MADSEN sat beside the fireplace and gazed moodily at the blazing logs, as the sparks spiraled upward. Outside flakes of snow beat against the window pane to the chime of the church bells ringing peace and good will to all the earth. ' "Peace,” Tom muttered. "Was there such a thing on earth? Not for him, anyway.” He had staked everything on his boy. Been both father and mother to him—given him the advantage of the best schools, with a law partnership waiting for him in his own office;) and what did he get? "Sorry to disappoint you, Dad, but I don’t seem to be cut out for law. Sally and I want to find happiness in our own way. I mean to buy the old Wormley farm and Sally and I will be married there, in our own home. Dad, on Christmas eve.” Young Tom had choked a bit as he saw the look on his father’s face —"I’m sorry, Dad; I do appreciate all you’ve done for me, ‘but the hand writes and moves on,’ and it’s all settled. Be a good sport, Dad, "I’m Sorry, Dad; I Do Appreciate All You’ve Done for Me.” and come to our wedding and give us your blessing.” But he had turned on his boy. "Never!” he cried. "See my son married to a cheap dancer; a common”—Young Tom’s face was white. "Stop, Dad, or I might forget you are my fath er”—and he had rushed out of the house. That had been three long months ago. An eternity for him. He had been too hasty; had been governed by his prejudices. One couldn’t measure the present generation by the one of his day. Tom, Jr., was no fool; he should have trusted him to do the right thing; what right had he to interfere; to say how any life should be lived? Suddenly he wanted to have a share in the joyfulness. He reached for his hat, but remembered it was too late for shopping, but there was his check book. What if Tom re fused his tardy offering? The eager* look died. There was a loud ringing of the door bell and the sound of rushing feet—the door was flung open. There was Tom, looking just like he used to when he came to him for comfort. "Dad, we just have to have you. Sally sent me to bring you. It’s Christmas.” Tom, Sr., held out his arms. "We won’t disappoint Sally, son.” © Western Newspaper Union. WOTWWW,. WWW wS9 IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL chool Lesson By REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST, Dean of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. © Western Newspaper Union. Lesson for January 2 THE GOSPEL OF MARK: A PREVIEW LESSON TEXT—Mark 10:35-45. GOLDEN TEXT—And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all.—Mark 10:44. PRIMARY TOPIC—What Two Brothers AclfoH Taciiq JUNIOR TOPIC—Who Are the Great? INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC— A Look at the Gospel of Mark. YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC— Mark’s Gospel: Author. Origin, Theme. Beginning a New Year is always a thrilling experience. The thought of an unwritten record is a pleasant one and at the same time most sol emnizing. We must take heed, you and I, what we write upon that page which lies before us with the invit ing caption—"1938.” Next to having New Year’s day fall on Sunday, it is most appropri ate that the Lord’s day should come between the holiday of yesterday spent with our family and friends, and the work-day on the morrow, when we begin the year’s labors. Today we tarry in God’s house to pray and counsel together in the light of his Holy Word regarding the new year of grace and oppor tunity. We begin today a six-month study of the Gospel of Mark, which pre sents Christ as the Servant of God. It is the Gospel of the mighty acts of divine power, rather than of words. It is characterized by energy and spontaneity. It moves rapidly. The characteristic words are "straightway,” "immediately,” and "forthwith,” which are used more than forty times. Before considering our lesson for today, we would undoubtedly like to "meet the author.” John Mark was the son of the Mary in Jerusalem in whose home was "the upper room” where so many important events took place. He was a cousin of Barnabas and went with him and Paul on the first missionary journey. For some reason he lost heart and went home, much to Paul’s distress. Happily we find that the young man redeemed himself in Paul’s estima tion and was later well spoken of by him (Col. 4:10, Phile. 24, and I Tim. 4:11). The lesson text chosen for our "preview” of the Gospel is one which shows the weakness of human ambitions as contrasted with the true spirit of humble service which characterized Christ. I. Selfish Ambition Rebuked (w. 35-41). Ambition is not in itself wrong, but when it becomes so extreme that it projects self forward at the expense of others it becomes selfish and destructive. The fact that these men were evidently earnest and were, indeed, seeking a place with the Lord in his glory does not change the situation. They were selfish even in dealing with holy things. James and John had asked for a great honor in the kingdom, but had not sought to share in the suffering that preceded it. Their own ignorance of what was involved, their own weakness, their observation of God’s hand in the tarrying out of his own plans, should have deterred them. There is such a thing as holy boldness, but there is also such a thing as unholy temerity. II. Sacrificial Service Defined (w. 42-45). Christianity is not organized after the manner of secular government (v. 42). Much of the mischief that has come to pass in the church is the result of "running the church” as an organization, when it should be allowed to develop as a living organism. Anyone who observes with even a little care knows that the church of Jesus Christ is hindered most seri ously by the presence of pride and selfish ambition. Some people will not work unless they can rule. Their money is withheld unless it buys for them a dominating interest. The pastor is persona non grata unless he recognizes the desires of the "right” people. None of these things are done as obviously as our words would suggest. There is much care ful “fixing” and "wire-pulling” be hind the scenes. But it amounts to exactly the same thing, and it is all entirely foreign to the spirit of Christ. Are there then no Christians who humbly serve the Lord? Yes, praise his name, there are many, and wher ever they are found they are the salt of the earth. God uses and blesses them to his own glory. They may not be (and often are not) in "posi tions of leadership,” but they are actually the leaders of the church in its true work on the earth. Man Man is by nature weak; he is born in and to a state of depend ence; he therefore naturally seeks and looks about for help. Avoid Becoming Stale I have lived to know that the se cret of happiness is never to allow your energies to stagnate.—Adam Clarke. Success There is no road to success but through a clear strong purpose. ^Emzszzzzc 7/////-/Y777 *•>- -- ; s S s :d A Dressing Table Skirt With Corded Shirrings 'T'HIS dressing table has a curved front and hinged arms on which to mount the skirt so that it can be opened to permit access to the drawer. To mount the skirt it must first be sewed to a band of covered buckram. Cut the buckram in a strip 2% inches wide. Cover it with a straight piece of material as shown here at B. Make the heading at the top of the skirt just the depth of the thickness of the table edge so that it will cover the edge of the table when the arms are closed. Use V\- inch cable cord for the shirring. This is sewed to a safety pin and run through tucks stitched in the material as shown here at C. The top of the ruffle is also shirred with cords. When the shir rings are all finished, sew the top of the skirt to the covered buck ram strip as shown at D and then thumb tack it in place as at A. Every Homemaker should have a copy of Mrs. Spears’ new book, SEWING. Forty-eight pages of step-by-step directions for making slipcovers and dressing tables;) restoring and upholstering chairs, couches; making curtains for ev ery type of room and purpose., Making lampshades, rugs, otto mans and other useful articles for ( the home. Readers wishing a copy should send name and address, enclosing 25 cents, to Mrs. Spears, 210 South Desplaines St., Chicago, Illinois. rmw\ .Ask Me .Another % A General Quia ME—1 AROUND THE HOUSE Salt and Pepper Shaker.—A large shaker containing six parts salt to one part pepper and kept on the stove will save steps when seasoning cooking foods. • • • Preventing Rust in Oven.—After using the oven, leave the oven door wide open, to allow it to cool down thoroughly. This allows all mois ture to escape and prevents rust. * • • ' Drying Silk Hose.—Never hang silk hose over the radiator or next to any hot surface. • • • f Lining a Coat.—When lining a coat, put the coat on inside out. Have the lining all ready stitched up, and slip it over the coat. It will fall into position naturally. Pin it in place, and finish in the usual way. • • • Watch Your Step.—Painting the bottom step of the cellar stairs white makes it more conspicuous and often helps to prevent acci dents. • • • Sliding Dresser Drawers.—Rub bing a candle stub or wax along the sliding edges of dresser drawers will make them move in and out much more easily, even when heavily loaded. 1. How many bachelor Presi»- dents has the United States had? 2. What does the abbreviation "non sec” stand for? 3. How does a twelve-year-old dog correspond to age in a human being? 4. What is wind? 5. Who was the Greek cynic phi losopher who lived in a tub? 6. What is the procedure when a bank certifies a check? 7. What was the last federal territory to be admitted into tha Union as a state? Answers 1. Two—James Buchanan and Grover Cleveland, but Cleveland was married while he was in the Presidential office. 2. Non sequitur (it does not fol low). 3. A dog twelve years old is as old as a man at eighty-four. 4. Air naturally and horizontally in motion with a certain degree of velocity. 5. Diogenes. 6. It withdraws the amount of the check from the drawer’s ac count, and holds it for the purpose of paying the cheok which it guarantees. 7. Arizona. What a difference good bowel habits can make! To keep food wastes soft and moving, many doctors recommend Nujol. INSIST ON GENUINE NUJOL Oo(ir.X9S7. SUnoo laa. CHEW LONG BILL NAVY TOBACCO LIFE’S LIKE THAT By Fred Neher "That feels better ... but it’s still & little snug.