STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 51

STORIES AND SKETCHES BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

CHRISTMAS. . , By Elizabeth L. M'Neili., Normal School

(aged 15 year?)

Once in the long ago the angels proclaimed the wondrous birth of Christ — that birth so free from pomp and worldly ceremony, a birth seemingly of little or i<o importance, bu ! ; which was the most interesting and important that ever was chronicled in the historic, social, cvnd religious annals of the world. The first scene of life enacted in the overcrowded inu ab Bethlehem ha» gathered interest and importance' aa the ages have passed. From the hurablo shepherds, who first received the Heaven-sent message with gladness, tho joyous tidings spread throughout all Judea.

After Christ's death and resurrection, -when his disciples could meit and speak with him on earth no longer, aiid oppression and tyrannic power threatened to crush out tha memory of the loveliest life ever lived — whan persecutions and Itials and hardships be&trawcd their way, and the eurrouudiug life oi vice and selfishness tried to deface the example of purity of social life that Christ's presence and lifo on earth had eet tho world, which example had been imparted to a few disciples, the people of the world took little notice uf His lifo and teaching ; much less did^ifc rcmemlmi' the time or actual date of his birbh. Yvt in the face of the persecution the disciples rjever wavered in their devotion to Christ. They had to flee, but ihey carried thsiv glad new message wherever they went.

Ab time rolled on and thts changes which time ever carries in its wake were felt in the cities whither the bearers of the news had gone, the KC'.ual date was lost. However, though the time was lost sight of, and probably the evant was celebrated at different times, yet the memory of it w&s never allowed to die out. Prom generation to generation a time was set aside, the object being the commemoration of Christ's birth. In modern times the time appropriated for the celebration is December, the twenty-fifth day of that month being designated Christmas Day. The festal time is known as Chrutmaslide or Yuletide, other names being used according to geographic position.

The Christmastide is the season of happy congratulations and expressions of goodwill between friend and friend. This is an actual continuance of the angela message, "Goodwill towards men." In all climes and regions the season is one of general festivity. The happy time is looked forward to by all — young and old. Everywhere as the time approaches people bestir themselves to oubvio their neighbours in hospitality. In the northern hemisphere th.c Yuletide falls in midwinter. The frost ii in the air, and the snow is covering the ground ; music and bell-ringing greet the ear. The carol singers are in the streets from an early hour on the day that Father Christmas or Santa Claus is supposed to re-visit the world with the collection of toys and ofcher gifts, which he distributes with a halo, heatty goodwill and a happy, smiling countenance. So those who have Been him declare.

This legend, perhaps somewhat varied, _ is givun credence and expression in many countries. Besides the visit of Santa Claus the season is enlivened by the feasts at which roast beef, venison, and plum padding have become proverbial as the staple elements. The religious slamficntioa of the leasou is nrobablj the most

■" •; ■% characteristic. In aj_l countries the holy revei»j enca attributed to the memory of Christ jfl tha', feature most pronounced. It is the occasion of •' spscial services in tho different churches. Jusfc . as the ordinary services differ in, the different denominational churches, so the Yuletide servica differs. % In the Protestant churches the service is eolemo, subdued, and touches in* structively the promise of the wondrous birth first was to mean the deliverance of the people of the world. The music is in keeping. The Anglican service is somewhat more elaborate. Neither of the churches, however, solemnise the service as do the Roman Catholics. What with special mass and the rooking of the cradle in the early Christmas morn, the observance is very impressivo. Compared with the modern mode of celebratior, how different was that of the first Christmas Day in New England by the Puritan fathers ! They came to the land they sought on a cold winter day, when the hills were white with the mantle of snow — on " the day of days when the Lord of life wns born." They thought of the Yuletides of long ago — they remembered the feasts and games ; they thought of thefcells that rang so merrily, co merrily, in old England, and they asked their master if they might desist from work that day ; but he replied that they might more befittingly make the ring oi s their axe 3 replace the sound of the bells in the home land, and in that way lay the foundation of the Christian church. So Their axe 3 rang out through the evergreen treeg Like tho bells on the Thames aud the Tay ; And they cheerily tuns by the windy peas, ' Aud they thought of Malabarre Bay. On the lonely heights of Burial Hill The old Precisiouera sleep ; But did ever men with a nobler will A holier Christmas keepWhen the sky was cold and grey. And there were no ancient balls lo ring, No priests to chant, no choirs to' eing, No chapel of baron or lord or king, That grfy, cold Christmas Day. Among the Norwegians the custom holds of free festivity. The ians are thrown open foe strangers, to whom no board is charged oh Chrifltmas Day. A very pretty custom als4 holds here — xt . least auioug the peasantry, A alien f of corn is hoisted on the housetops oCj other convenient heights, in order that tha birds may also feaat on tho happy occasion. • In Rusßiatheobsecvavice is equally rerorenbial and f<»tal. In Canada the sleigh bolls replace the church bells. Over the snow the sleighs run with their bells vingiog merrily and hsppy voices a'mgiuff. In the evening, as in the British hoonei<, Iho log firss are burning, and around art) gathered tho family »ud frieads arid neighbours. Not the least pleasing of the Yuletido jubilations is the interest occasioned ia tho miotletoe. Tho k/g fires light un the rooms hung with eytrgrotna, of which the holly, wifeh its clusters ot bright shiny red berrier, and the tninislotob are tne chief. Great fan ia canned by the kissR'K'nnder tho uiiHletoo bovigh.

In the Kouthfrn hemisphere Yuletide falls ia nnd.iuoimce. Far aw.iy from the Ynlotides of their childhood, with new feien.o3 before them, the settlors did not allow the notv scenes to eeliprc the old. They essayed ti> plant & new world in the sunny south, but they did nob leave bshind them fill too traditions of theic fathers and their birthland. Acnbog the rolica r.nd cidinanocs which they transplanted was tho happy teisoa of Christmas. Although devoid of all tiae surroundings that charmed' that time* they solemnised aucl with regularity celebrated 1/hs poason. With' a jnid^uinmfcr uun streaming instead of a frost-laden -wind, with" a world bright with' many-hucd flowers iustead of a barrenness enliveued bjr a few evergeoetis, they held high festivals in theic new home. To us they have handed down the day. In our city and surrounding Christmas conies at the outset of tho ecbool vacation. Congratulation? pass between mutu&l friends aud neighbours ; gifts of various kinda are exchanged, and a happy good feeling prevails. All Nature is gay, aud there is little to damp the ejjthuiiasin or spoil the gaiety.

In the pity the streets are traversed from late hours on Christmas Eve by bauds. As tha early morning dawns more musicians patrol tha street?, and numbers of the young people group together and begin tho carol singitig. Latec the church bells call worshippers to tho different services,- after which picnicking holds the attention till evening. Everywhere enjoyment septufi paramount; everywhere "Christmas" s<;einy imprinted ; ■ the motto seems to be, " Peaca on earth and goodwill to men." Tho geographic difference does not detract from the pleasure of a day which is being celabrated at once amid the snow of the north, the heat of tho tropic?, bod tho moderate weather of the t&raperate zone. * ! The fathers in Scotland are enjoying tho Cimslcatutide while their sons are likewise sng'sged in the Antipodes. There is no other p.eAson at which the, thoughts of so ;nany varied men are concentrated on any one subject. At this aud no other time is tho blessing so keenly fe'.fc aud appreciated of the benediction in the sublime song first sung by tbeaugels anil accompanied by harps — " Glory to God iv the HighestJ and <;n taxth peace, goodwill, to all man." '

A DAY IN THB COUNTRY. , •

By E. Smith (agod 10 ye»re). Much anxiety prevailed in our house on No* vembtsr 30. My auntie, who v»as very kind, had invited my brother and tap to her home in O&rnaru. The invitation had been readily accepted by cut parents, and we were in high glee ab the prospect of so grand a trig. Ouc bags had been already packed, and we were now proceeding to the railway station. As wo passed the Tdangie I noticed tho lovely trees, and wondered if there would be bolter ones in Oamaru. My little brother waa very ansiout (o get tho tickets, ho I, after having had & good look at the trees, rau down to tfeo iicke.t- office, and bought the ticket?, to my little brother's great delight. We found a capital flr»t«elais carriage, and affcer having pat down oar baga we pulled up the windows pud had » pmell of tho nice breeze that had just sprung up. We were soon bounding on our way (at least the traia was) wliile we were talking of tho several occupations which we intended engaging in at Oaaiai'u, or the White Stone City. We sooa arrived at our dcstinntioD, and were met by my auntie and a little post-chaise with an excellent little cbestnub pony. We were very much pleased with the country, and after having spent a most enjoyable trip we came horn* much the better for our enjoyable journey.

By Elsie M'Hutcheson (aged 11 years).

I have never really been for a holiday in the country, bub I shall imagine I have. Ono fine summer's morning as I was dressing I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I opened if, and the servant passed in a letter to me. My eiatec Muriel,, who shared the room with me, opened the letter and read it aloud. It was from an aunt of ours who lived in. the country asking Muriel and I to go aud spend a month's holiday with her. The next morning we started for tha holiday we were to spend in the country. When. we arrived at our aunt's house we had dinner, and then went for a walk and enjoyed it very much. The n«t day wo got aa invitation feft

go to a picnic with some friends. My coufing— three boys and a girl — gob ready as soon as possible and came and told me. Muriel was net able co go, for she had a bad headache. I then got ready «l«o aud went with my cousins to the stable s to get the horse and buggy, while my aunt and Mary, the (servant, got some lunch. We Btarbtd at the hour appointed, and soon reached the pl&ce which our friends had chosen for the picnic grouLd. It was near a river and among feme. As soon as we arrrived we got some sticks and boiled the billy, had luncb, and then went into the bush. Alter we had been in the bush for a wbilo we suddenly missed one of the boys. My uucle sailed as loudly as he could ; then all at once we heard a scream aud then a. splash. We all rushed to the 6pot where we had heard tbe noise. We were jast iv time to see poor litile Jack go down in the water. He had bsen climbing a tree to get a bird's ce3b, when tbe branch lo which he was holding gave way, and he Lst bis footing .and fell headloog into the water. My uncle and some other gentlemen lost no time in diving into the water where they had seen him go down to no purpose. Meanwhile my aunt and the rest of us were preparing for home. Just as vre had finished Uncle Gaorge called out, " I sea him," and he made a desperate dive for Jack just ashe was going down. He pulled him on shore and wrapped Lira in some shawls which I had taUeu dovfn to the river bank. He was carried to the buggy, where rey aunt and the rtst were waiting. We were not long in reaching home. We all weut to bed qnite tired out with our day's exertion. There was not much going oub the vesb cf the time we were at my aunt's, and at the cud of tha month we left for home.