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VOL. XXXI.
INDIANAPOLIS. IND.. DEC. 26, 1896.
NO. 52
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EXPERIENCE DEPARTMENT
TALKS ABOUT CHRISTMAS.
What lt Means to Ton and Yours, and
How Observed.
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let Premium.—The wife's province
is home. This comprises mother
and love. It -were scarce a home
withont these. Ours is not a perfeot home, as it has lost the dear elements
of childhood. The young folks having
long since scattered far and near into
homes of their own. We try to make
amends for their absence by keeping in
touch with them and their little ones
through the blessed medinm of Uncle
Sam's Postoffice Department. We have
anticipated the mid-winter holidays by
peeping beneath spare mattresses and
comforters, and bringing forth a part of
our store of pressed vines and bunches of
autumn leaves, with which to decorate
onr rooms. Ther are bright and beautiful as when last kissed by the sun and
caressed by the soft winds on the Indian
summer day, when we drove with the
dear mother across field 'and meadow to
the enchanted woodland beyond, where
age,wrinkles and the weight of care alike
are forgotten in onr eagerness to secure
the very prettiest, and lavish them npon
the one no longer able to run hither and
thither among tho eddying leaves for the
brightest, to group with red berries and
asters, yet whose every pulse thrills to
the glorious beauty of her surroundings,
and who is quick to qnote an appropriate
rhyme or snatch of song, as "In some retired sweet retreat," and
It brings me to my childhood back,
Asif I trod its very track
And felt its very gladness.
with very many others, carrying memory
back to other days with other loved forms
and faces.
Onr      collections      were      carefully
hoarded' for  Xmas, but   the   mother's
pleading "we have so much to be thankful for," and from the abundance in store
and onr. oppressively silent rooms, we
wished to gratify hex kindly feelings and
hospitality by calling some "old friends
and true," the children, grand children,
and great grand children within reach,
into the home, on   this   the  balmiest
Thanksgiving day within our recollection, where fruits and flowers were supplemented with turkey and savory vegetables, that have steadily accumulated
since the luscious strawberries to the last
blushing peach and big golden pumpkin,
which from their size and number warrant many repetitions of the dinner. We
retire from this repast to enjoy "a feast
of reason and flow of soul."   We have
baen generously remeinbered^by letters
from loved ones, from the extreme of this
fair land, and could wish  their number
and these precious hours might be prolonged; but time is inexorable; the most
joyous as well as sorrowful occasions but
speed us on to what?   For whom will we
spread the next holiday feast?   Xmas is
near, and we hope to be able to gladden
the hearts of dear ones one-half way
across  the   continent.    This, with'our
present mailing system, is no difficult
task.   Almost with certainty,  and  tne
•peed of the wind are gifts of kind re-
nembrance conveyed to those most dis"
vnt.  There  are  so  many both ff-.l.iid
Liar, to be  cheered with  a kind word
We, a little  wink  there, and gifts ap-
Pipriate for all degrees and conditions
oi Vose who  bestow,  as  well  as those
whtcjre to receive them, enabling each
one cy the home to contribute to the hap-
plnet of others and  truly, "it is more
blessa to give than to receive."
HenV oo. Mrs. L. A. Pleas.
2dPrWumu—
.   ChVtma. comes bat once a year,
Cto&rant to all, it bring good cheer."
Yet, as ^er, this Christmas will bring
sad memories will find a vacant chair in
homes where, only one Bhort year ago,
all was joy and gladness. Yet, mourning
for. the dear departed cannot recall them
and only makes the burdens ot otherB
heavier. Since last Xmas tide, a dear
little form has gone from our home—a
precious blossom, transplanted from this
chilly earth to that snmmer land, never
to fade. We shall visit the little mound
of our affection, cover it with evergreen
and white flowers, then call the comforting thought to onr hearts that friends
gone before, do not need our care and
sympathy, yet others are left who do; to
them let us turn with as cheerful words
of love and acts of kindness as lay in onr
power. Into many homes where our Indiana Fabmeb visits, the main monev
crop ls corn, and with this staple at lt
per bushel, some are so discouraged they
feel like making no pretense at "keeping
Xmas this year." This is not fair to the
ohildren who are not to blame, and can't
be brought to understand why Santa
Claus should ever be short of funds. If
cranberries and turkey are too expensive
that family ls to be pitied which cannot
afford a nice chicken, pumpkin pies, etc.,
and bring out several cans of fruit,
samples of the bountiful harvest which
blessed us. It is the duty of every mother
to prepare a nice dinner for her family
at lean, should she feel too poor to entertain friends. Work, and if need be expense, wi,U never, be..regretted .atauch
"tImeSJ**ft"'TWe" pop corn patch was neg-
lected-7-«h how much we do leave undone! Why then 15 cent will purchase
all you can carry from the grocery. Prepare a lot of this, melt some sugar into
wax, dribble tbis among the fleecy crowd
pressing into balls. These are always a
delight to the little ones. Crushed lemon
candy or shelled pea nuts, put in the balls
a.e excellent. Let all work be put aside;
and keep tbis holy day as pleasantly as
possible. We once prepared a "Xmas
Box," made a wreath of holly around it,
having a box of fancy crayon with which
to do the work. Each child mysteriously
slipping in his gifts. After dinner we
had recitations, etc., after which contents
of box were distributed, lt is needless
to add that was a Xmas long to be remembered. Many things could be suggested, yet each home can have its individual way of keeping the time; the more
original the better. Story-telling, eating
nuts and apples, pleasing each other,
proving that the deed or spirit is more to
be honored than the gift Family reunions are the grandest things on earth, if
they can be had, at this glorious season.
Try to instil into all hearts something of
that wonderful charity that sent the
world its greatest gift, the anniversary
of which all nations for all time, shall
fervently and earnestly welcome.
Farmer's Wife.
3d premium.—
"Christmas comes bnt once a year.
And when it comes, it brings good cheer.
This rhyme is true in its first part to all,
and in the last ought to be true to all little people at least. The story of the first
Christmas should be told them, and then
as many more things as time and circumstances allow shonld be done to make
the time bright and happy. Help the
little ones to help inthe Christmas preparations. Help them to make little gifts.
It is not good for them to only receive
and not give. Sometimes let the children-hang up stockings and sometimes
we have a tree. Once we had a bright
corner in which plates were set upon a
table, one for each member of the family,
to hold candy, nuts and small presents
if you choose. The other presents were
arranged prettily on the table. Do not
forget the "stranger that ls within thy
gates." A "Quaker preacher" happened
to be with us that evening, and was much
pleased not to be Jeft out. I know no
more complete way of making one feel
utterly desolate than to omit the little at
tentions that are so easily given. One
important matter in all the preparations
for Christmas is that we do only the
things that are not so burdensome that
they love their pleasure. I would not advise anyone to spend more than can be
properly spared, or to put too much labor
on all the things that should be pleasant. Children will be satisfied with simple and inexpensive articles If they are
so taught. Once I gave a few pieces of
candy to little child on the street, to his
great delight. Much the larger quantity
I gave (to keep the pleco I hoped) to another child. He grumbled because it was
not some other kind, or was not enough,
etc. I am sorry for the little ones who
have too much, and are hard to please, as
well as for those who have not enough.
Make Christmas a happy, sweet time, let
as many as possible of one's family be at
home for the time comes soon enough
when only a few can come to their home
Christmas pleasures. C.
In observing Christmas we are liable to
ignore what it means to us. Therefore
16. us not forget the event the day commemorates, but let us remember that It
means more to uj than all things else, besides. The day should be observed by
woidlng all unnecessary labor, whether
Sabbath or week day. It is said that "variety is the spice of life." Therefore we
should seek variety or originality in en-
tnrtainments for Christmas e'vexbr Christmas day. If we entertained with a publio Christmas tree at church or school
house, last year let us entertain at home
in a private way this year. I am sorry
to notice that the old custom of giving
presents ls being used simply to exchange
presents. Although 1 think the practice
of neighbors, parents and children, brothers and sisters exchanging presents a
very commendable one, yet we should be
very careful to remember the worthy
poor and give where we do not expect
any thing in return, for this only ls true
charity. It seems to be a prevalent idea
that a present should be an article of no
particular value, but merely a toy or keep
sake. I think this a mistake. In selecting presents for our friends or children
we should select something of a nseful
and practical nature, such as a good book,
garment, watch, gun or something of that
nature, and it should be of good quality
and up to date. In giving presents to
ohildren no means should be used to deceive or bewilder the mind of the child as
to the source of the gift. Old topers generally get on a special drunk on Christmas day and think they aTe honoring the
day by so doing, but let us not imitate
their example by indulging in questionable amusements or gluttonous feasting;
but honor the day by making a special effort to relieve the distressed in mind or
body. C. E. H.
Warrenton, 111.
pense as the lovely decorations can be
kept from year to year. I hope I do not
sin when I tell my children that may be
Santa Claus will come right down the
chimney and fill; the stockings that hang
by the flre place. One of my boys recites
a verse which says:
"And if yon watch perhaps you'U see
This friend ln tors hid deep;
But I have never seen him yet
I'm always fast asleep."
The  turkey dinner  is delightful, and
the sharing of It with friends or some one
is more so, and  altogether we shouldn't
like  to do without merry Christmas, at
least once a year. Mns. Wili-am.   -
Richmond.
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The Christmas tide is the season of loving and giving. It brings so much happiness becausev>ur hearts are full of kindness to each other, which is the true spirit of our blessed Saviour whose birth we
celebrate. And then it is so Jolly to enjoy
the surprise which accompany's each
gift whether great or small. Our ingenuity seems taxed to its utmost to supply
suitable gifts for all, and this lends to
the keenness of our enjoyment. When
I was a young girl I had a companion
who said "I do not consider a present a
Christmas gift unless lt Is something that
is not nseful," and that girl was not
happy unless she received a new charm
for her necklace, or some bit of jewelry,
I hope there are few who feel as that girl
did. An unapt person with a slim purse
often gives a homely present, but who can
measure the love in that heart that fairly ached to give Its friend something for
pure friendship's sake. Then the Christmas tree for the ohildren is so beautiful
and  can be provided with bo lW^ex-
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REVIEW.
The shadows of Christmas are here—
shall I say shadows, or that we are entering into the halo which ever crowns the
sacred day.
Christmas suggests childhood and the
child looks longingly to Christmas, so
congenial are they. Childhood is as pure
and sacred as Christmas. What possibilities of blessing are suggested by each? .
Tho tenderness and purity suggested by
childhood and the love and benediction
for which Christmas is the promise, forever touch the human heart and keep
fresh and sacred the holy festive day.
Jesus admiringly and lovingly placed his
hands of blessing on little children and *.
then said to the strong men and women
about himft'Except yea. beoome %S a Utile
child."
When the spirit of God takes hold of a
man the first* result is a tender heart
warmth, sympathy, good will. Then foi-'
lows peace, not intermittent, but as a
fountain of living waters, rising and filling and enlarging as one's spiritual life
develops, into a peaceful river. One sad
mistake quite common to humanity is
the neglect of the life of the spirit That
gentle life which is true human life shorn
of its grossness and sin.
1 once rode my wheel down the cycle
path north of Indianapolis and met two
couples of young people. As they fell
into single line and rode past, each of
them took one deep, straight look right
into my eyes and I did the same to them.
They were neatly dressed and rode good
wheels and it seemed that both they and
myself wished for the moment to drink
in what we could, by searching deep into
the other's soul life. Their countenances
wore a look of frankness and peace; as
much as to say to me, "My friend, we are
quite happy, we hope you are also happy."
The same day I met two very gross,
coarse, dirty, sensual looking young men-
whose breath smelt of beer and I couldn't
avoid contrasting the two groups and
getting the lesson of the gentle teacher,
that we should become as little children;
should be sympathetic, spiritual and
teachable, should scatter seeds of kindness and manufacture sunshine.
"And Him ever more I behold
-SV'alktng in Galilee,
Through the cornfields waving gold,
In hamlet and wood and In wold,
By the shores of the beautiful sea.
He toucbelh the sightless eyes;
Before him the demons flee;
To the dead he sayeth: Arise I
To the living; Follow me t
Bnd that voice still soundeth on
From the centuries that are gone.
To the centuries that shall be 1
Longfellow.
And may you, kind reader, enjoy together with myself  and mine the quiet
peace and sunshine of a merry Christmas
and a happy New Year.
Friend Lemay speaks of his high appreciation of the deparlment and of the
entire Fabmeb, and thinks the paper
would be a great help toany one engaged
In farming. He also suggests that Christmas is our most noted holiday and too
many pass it by without a cheerf al token
to family or friends. He would like to
see every church hold a service on Christ-
Conttntted on loth page.
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