Y .

Saint Nicholas

By ARTHUR FOLLOWS

Although Saint. Nicholas. or Santa tlnus to us. his Dutch name, is nowadays regarded as the secret giver oi many good things. we owe Ilhe development of his cult t0 a bit of grave-snatching.

For it was in 108'! thlt 811101‘! from Bari, Apulfa, desiring to got some saintly benefit for their home tovm, g the idea, of stealing the bcdy ofwbaint Nicholas and taking it to Italy. Saint Nicholas was or- iginally buried in Asia. Mincr, where he had been bishop of Myra in Lycis. But. in Italy a basilica was founded in his honor at Bari, and soon became a I point o: pllgrlmages. The Nicholas cult spread, until this saint had 400 Finglish churches dedicated to him: was the patron saint of Russia; and was senerslly "abused w protect travelling men from robbery.

The quaint old windows depict- ing legends about this flint some- times show him with thee children in a tub-because be is supposed Co: have restored the dismembered

dies of three murdered children; sometimes show him with three fat purses, for he is also said to have

rovllied dowries for three poor Firls whose parents, unable to find it. husbands for these daughters, were about. to force them to become prostitutes. Hence the origin of the ldca that St. Nicholas secretly gave

resents to deserving youngsters; s.

otion now illustrated by thousands of dangling stockings or (in France) c- nllplcuously placed sabots.

'I’he real St. Nicholas is said to have lived in the time of Diocletian and to have been tortured for his faith before the accession of the Emperor Constantine brought of- ficial tolerance. But we do not really know much about him, and the earliest church bearing name seems to be that of 8s Plie- cus and Nicholas which was erected by the emperor Justinian.

‘l?

The “Man o! the Hour”

fakes Time out to Play

Jolly Old Saint Nlclh

The Story of This Fine Old Hymn

it would not be really Christmas lo many people, if auch lessonable hymns as "O Oome all ye faithful" “Hark the herald angels sing, “Christian: awake,” and especially "While shepherds watched their flocks by night," etc, were not sung in the church services at the great Festival. It requires a good organist with a. powerful or- gan. and full choir to withstand the rousing enthusiasm which would “rush" the singing beyond all consideration of measured time. in congregation; where children attend. the Gliristmas services. There is a lilt to this old tune and s. swing to the grand old words. which uplift: and arouses all hesrla and voices not altogether deaden- ed by the clamor of mortal "fie. Perhaps it is safe to say that it l3 the true model Christmas Hymn]

The tune "Winchester Old," came

first in order of time. It was an ‘outcome of the public rejoicing which ran through Europe when the Holy Scriptures were given to the people in their own langua e. The all conquering Roman limp re had for a long time ceased to rule the world. Nations developed their own languagev-England .Ln an: thirteenth century-and Latin wa no longer the universal form of speech. The Vulgate of St, Jerome, and the Old Latin version of th< Bible msde the sacred books al useless to the majority as were the original Hebrew and Chaldalc of the Old Testament, or the Greek of the New Testament,

King Alfred, the Venerable Bede, Wycllfe, ‘Tyndale and Coverdale had already given English folk a taste of the biblical books in their own tongue. when Luther precipi- tated a universal reformation which was already in the offing, and thereby drove back the move- ment for many who could not fol- low the impetuous lead of the German reformer. Great Britain went its own independent way, dia-

carded what. had not purely apol- to:- "Good will is shewn from heaven

tollc authority and lost something of authority and discipline at the same time, but by its own clergy

a

saves

PYREX '

TRANSPARENT. ovalv aunts

FUEL

DOUBLE

clung to scriptural and teaching. .

An open Bible and Divine scr- vlces in their own language welse the first fruits oi the movement. Their ancient churches and for the most part their clergy remained Lure to their ancient teaching. Their hymns werc those of revela- tion as used in the Jewish church and by the earliest Christians,

To make these more acceptable they were transposed into English verse, sung to what we call hymn- tupes, and ‘ ‘mmensely popular. They were in fact the songs of the day to the common olk

tenets

oi... of these early transpositions or versions known to us as ESIB’! Psalter, published in 1572. added a few than modern hymns with tunes, and one of those

tunes was our Winchester Old,

supplement to a New V

Brady. Tate had done

and Mary together occupied

succeeded him in

land. He it was who so our hymn.

well known hymns as "As

In 1745 the first verse of

While humble shepherds w ‘ ‘ their flocks In Bethlehemfi plains by night,

l‘!!!

WARE FOR BAKING AND BIRVING— \ IS DOING A LOT T0 SOLVXI INDIE IILP PROBLEMS

men And never more shall cease."

PURPOSE

avllnv PRACTICAL SHAPE h also Sill fro: sumac I8 nuns m ernsx

PHONE

105

// . . ‘ <\,,. »_ _ . I-Q‘. . j /I,]I

.‘>ALL l l [TAIL

hymn

the Psalms, an edition of which appeared in i702, the work of two highly talented Irishman. the Rev. Naburn Tate. and the Rev, Nicholas ' splendid work for his countrymen in those troublous time: when William ‘IIII

e throne of the United Kingdom. _He was summoned to serve hls king in Ilondon. worked as a coadjutor with the famous John Dryden and

mlnont

paraphrased of St. Luke's Gospel in

The New Version gave us such pants the hart." 'I'll!‘O\llh all the chang- ing acenel of life." and a few otllérs

l8 Christmas hymn was changed in

phrases," for Scotland to read:- ll —'

An angel sent from heaven appear-

ed And filled the plains with light." The last two lines were changed

made a sound-gasped. maybe- for she turned around with a jerk. If I ever saw guilt on a human countenance it waa on hers. Then suddenly I had a inspiration. I laughed weakly. “ m] gave mg ‘ start. Jvnnls." I said. "I didn't know anyone was in here. Were you looklnk for your coat?"

Yes. 1-1 was." she stammsred. Perhaps it wo be better if I bfisan at ‘he 110B . You see, the bridge club was meeting at, my house. Just the usual crowd two tables. Jennie Muldrow. ony g few minutes earlier, had invited us all to a dinner party at her home the week before Christmas.

That night Mildred Carr phoned me- "Mary." she said. “did you sec a pllr of brown pigskin gloves any. where? I thought. they were in my purse but I can't ilnrl them."

The lll-xt day I told Mildred I rllldlft find the gloves. "Just as

thought," she answered.

"What did you say?"

"Mary. I hate to say this. but I'm terribly afraid we have a thief in our midst."

Immediately ‘I recalled Jennie Mllldrow in Bill's closet, but, I didnt nlcntion lt_ "Why, Mildred!" l exgllaimed, "What makes you say

“Well, Betty Hicks lost a com an; yesterday. I don't moan she rop- pPd lt somewhere, She had at at your house, But when she got home it was gone."

“And that isn't all, Kitty put a lovcly Apnenzeli hnukerchlef in her hag when she left home, but this morning it wasn't there."

I started to speak but Mildred "id quickly. “Now don’t say sh‘: was just mistaken. Mary Ellsworth. because that 1sn't all. Guess what Martha Fox told me|" This was Just rhetorical .50 I didn't answer. Evidently Mildred had had a busy morning, “Jennie was visiting Martha last night and. when Mar- tha was called to the phone and her buck was turned. Jennie pock- eted a tie of Raymond's! Martha. was facing a mirror but Jennie didn't notice."

“What do you think? Could Jen- nie be a-—klcptomanlac?"

"I don't know." I answered. I sold nothing about seeing Jennie in Bill's closet. I never did tell any. one but Bill. He was inclined to pooh-pooh the whole business.

The burning question was: Shfluld we g0 to the Christmas party or not? There was a differ. ence of opinion about what to do. Martha wanted each one to make 11D l1 water-tight excuse and stay at home. Mildred Carr said ruth-

pi/eow1p_ ‘I ""9 '1. g 51:15am.» ..aA uu the i y gravel 4.1% ‘§‘£°t¥v¢‘§.°"l°l.s“¥m-n§ n ever- ena Miargot asked. " ° l" ~~1ll$5l robably be a mbb so: dinner" Jognny 0191119“! opened u» oar door. ‘an alwsyg has a mg in on New Year's day. Bhoua of auglner and slggtielal

is: the h e 1V1

em gs o bu el- opened the door. Through the archway Margot “mm g. g lnpfs of Peg, Johnny: sister. ~

" y the oung could look for. ward to an r year with such gayoty,’ she observed with amuse-

ment. u

"I'm afraid." M ot said. I mummy, keep, up wit the general enthusiasm eforo dinner. Isn't there some place we can Obwrvv without being observed?" I Johnny nodded toward a small conservatory opening on the living room. "There's a side door to that through the butler‘: pantry." He led the way.

sealing» her on a love neat lcreened by s nificent, fern. he left. to return wit cocktails.

Margot took the glass absent- mindcdly, her eyes on the group around the piano. "Isn't that your Miss Leslie?"

7/1" "will ,ttft'»\ . . ti.‘

‘ ll

"my; um. your Miss iealle?"

lie followed her 8M0. A "W" gages. vivacious youns slrl i"; accompanying. his sister in a due. flll§elloaiih “She seems f?‘ little different away ff°m "he .° °.°-"

"l'“°..""??’“.‘l‘l....“iil‘.i‘ m" you m “u: what do yoifmes-u b! onnny asked.

ma . x i u’ J 1103):; Hgdcntmlfu “m: ygunhfivsmt eased. Why. than!!!“ 1g simply. 4e H0115 about you.‘

m; w‘); we; gpontapeous. Now who’; being romantic?

J'Shgmtold me," Margot answer- 6 V9 Y- Jghnny I, stared. open-mimmefi-

"Honestly?

His mind searched back over his three years’ association with Miss Leslie. Incident after incident

If I ever gnw gult on a human countenance il was on hen.

lessly. "No. illal won't solve ‘any- thing. Jennie wuat resign from the club. We can. nave a criminal in it. she must ulders-tand she isn't wanted." ‘I'm more determined Mildred became the less I wanted to humiliate Jelmle. Bo finally 1 said, “Girls. you can all do what you like. but I'm going." ‘The up- shot was (hat all of us ap cared except Mildred and her hus and.

Jennie gave us the su rise of our lives. She had a smal. beau- lltully trimmed tree. with attract- ive packages nestling in the branches. We simply gasped. "Jen- nie! You shouldn't have done this!"

She laughed “Really, it wasn't much trouble. In fact, I hlui a lot. of-lun."

Atlcr dinner the prsssn‘ were distributed. One by one the missing articles came to light. Kltt 's face, as she lifted her Appehael hand- kerchief out. of a dainty velvet (zasc, was the funniest thing I've ever sccnl Raymond Fox unwrap- ped n tic holder from which a tie was h-m ing. and Bill did the game. Every y was laughing unroar- lollsly by this time, yet looking de- cldcdly sheeplsh. too. I was gazing in fascination at my precast-pio- tures of my children.

Just, to make it unanimous, she said. there was a gift for John Mllldrow. "I've been looki high and low l0!‘ that. thlnl," beard him soy.

Handy Man

cropped up to bolster Market's as- sertion. ’ _ p "Men are stupid, arent they? lvm-rgot shook her head sovrly. "Only blind.” Johnny looked at his which» "It's about time for mymweekly pro-

"Well," hi! voice seemed ctr-anae- iy carefree, “in that case I wont

e.

e couples in the other room were danc ng now. Johnny; eyes were following his secretary, mov. lng llthely about. the polished floor 1n perfect accord with the intricate of her partner's steps.

"Graceful. isn't she '

"And beautiful," Margot said.

Johnny nodded.

“And young."

He looked over at the words. faintly flushed. aware for the sec- ond time that day of the disparity between his age and m: ot's.

"But not nearly so beau iful nor ao graceful as you." His voice lack- ed conviction.

Margot bowed primly. "But younger."

Just before dinner, Johnny said, "We l-eall should go in and say ‘hello’ to Leslie. 1f she knows we're here she must think us rude."

Ma 0t yswned. “I'm too fortab e. You'd better. tho know. keep up the old of cs mo- r e’

Margot watched him as he saun. tercd a shade too casually over to the group once again around the piano. Even at a distance the ea- gerness with which the girl greet- ed him was apparent.

Dinner was announced. Someone suggested, "Just one more song. A song for the new year."

Peg struck an o en chord. the group joined han voiced lift- ed in singing "Auld Lang syne." Johnny. his ifll -hil secretary's, was by no moans the quietest.

Peg was secretly smllinl at Miss Ieelle. Miss Leslie's eyes were d1. rectcd toward the "Thanks," she seemed to say Margot. -

wan was rm: naoalvn or sraa m all IABT

MC

esrva , "We gal-ed like 2,000 an r

58.3%.»...

2: K

res Ilse Traced

conservatory. to .

is only one afilfi-Wtllfil. e o! (an Wise

to Forest ln/gelld

mas tree ‘Ruth oeu- aoob. the Ara- oelared gut all

s‘? far like a:

o‘1h“'..'»‘°l“'l.‘ 09W!

in this country, for which he and his parishione were severely de- nounced by o er eon: aiions.

Om of he most beau ful ands concerning! the Oh ma” is the ancient ls ticking "w h the forester and his houle o . who had just gathered around the fireside on Christmas eve when they heard o. timid knock on the door.

The forester opened behold a little child the attlls- Touched by the u lldb cold and apparent exhaustion. the forester took him in. and he was welcomed by the whole family and warmed and fed. Later. the fur- esters son, Hans. gave up his bod to the little child.

In the momlng, the family was awakened by the ng of a choir of angels. and loo in at their little guest saw him spin g transflgur- ed in their midst. They recognized him as the Christ ch 1d. As Lord Jesus bode the family fare. Well. He broke df a branch from a r tree sat it in the earth, and said, "fiehold. r have gladly ra- celved your kind lfts. and this is my gift to you. enceforth. this tree shall always bear its fruits at Christmas time xnd you shall gl- ways have abun ance."

The first oommunit Christmas tree was set up in arls, trance, in 1840. but was not popularly ao- cepted thro hout the world until the advent o electricity, when the “shuns could be stabilized and Proper ef ed‘ Riven to its display. f

Albert of Saxe-Coburg. .ns, who came to England in, 1840 to wed the young Victoria, is credit- ed with ringing the Christmas tree t0 the British Isles.

Tree Superstitions

Superstitions about trees are very far from dead. Most of us shudder at the spectacle of a Jghtnlng-struck, leafless tree, and however practical we may pose to be the sight of such a tree in the moonlight feels uncanny.

In a pretty Highland strain there stands an ash tree several concur iel old. From one point of view ou see a full antlered stag emerge, uat in the gleaming, and it has scared not a few as it la only shown at one particular stage of ight.

An old forester told me that the planks from s tree cut during the waning moon, will spit. and that. trees planted during that period will only result in growing branches that will never prove of value for commer ’ ‘ purposes.

THE UNLUCKY ELDER

m. onus

We all knew that to burn elder- ola

alzscawrs " COMPACTS

LIGHTER! ' ll ..

PATTERSOIWS JEWELLERY STORE s1 GT. oaolloa ST,

‘Learns-n Goons

assumes ORNAMENTS

Q Qky

trees ln the fireplace la to invite

awarerallzstlesrkrJf-lhristmas Cheer.

was made of elder, and thus it was

sflgniesinwlth a certain amount of: theAnirnalsshare

The ash tree was held to have marvellous powers. and it is still the favourite tree from which to cut "herding-sticks" for driving cows to and from their pasture. No harm can come near the cows with this switch to protect them from the devil.

Within the last dozen years I have heard of a child being cured of rupture by means of an ash tree. In this instance wedges I-no used to separate a branch at the mountain ash from its parent stem. The child was stripped and passed through the opening made

n the trees. The wedges were re- moved. the fracture in the tree was plastered over with clay bound with sackingmnd ropes. When I inquired the reason for this pro- cedure, I was seriously told that it was intended to cure the sufferer.

ENTOMBING T!!! BIIREW In my childhood I have known

Of course. if’you have a dog or g cat, no doubt you'll see that he (or she) has an extra good dinner on Chrietlnas Day. Take care, however. that what you give is suitable. Tur. key meat is bad fol- d cats can safely ca; the g blets. Both of them can have a share of bread»- nauce. slulflie. stuffing and vege- tables. but not of Christmas ud- ding or mlncemles. Nor should ey have fruit cake or chocolate. A sug- ar mouse or a biscuit, however, may be allowed Just for once, because

mem er t e in the ggg. Waeflhrlegnsslh m“, den, too. They will eat molt things and are not easily upset. Tits and finches love nuts and fruit: a m. vourlte food of sparrows and robim in pfeJVlll‘ England was pastry left over from the Chrlstlnse Eve bag.

more than once of s shrew or a Film; animglg gm; birds shoum geld mouse being incarcerated m share the good things of Christmas Ho‘ es bored In ash tress as an nn- ls g very old idea. Country folk in ote to the torment that little England used to leave their pow. crenture caused the cattle.

The hole was‘ bored with an auger. and the unfortunate c:ea- ture enclosed in a close-fitting pa driven in level with the bark o the tree. Cattle touched by a twig from this tree were regarded as animals would creep in and wqr. immune from all shrew-mouse ship. w, ' hazards A small niece or twill ln- at. Francis of Assisi requested aerted in the collar of a lazy horse that all oxen and asses should l" “"11 mil"! ll NIB!‘ to pull. given extra hay and corn at Chriht. "111: may safely be assumed that mas. Accordingly in Silesia in hap-