Show CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ama AMONG the many customs brought from european countries that ol of keeping christmas may be mentioned as a very prominent one oue and in no part of the united states is the custom more noticeable than among the cormons mormons Mor mons 11 this is the time when free will offerings are made to those who are in need and at no other period of the year are such gifts so abundantly ando and generally bestowed all of which is strictly in keeping with this particular occasion and is highly commendable true we hate none of that squalid poverty amontis which can be louna in almost every city town and hamlet throughout christendom the ample provision that is made for our oar pow pooi Eli rouga tithing ing appropriations fast day offerings relief societies etc and the sy systematic ste matic manner of distribution that has so long been followed renders readers squalor an impossibility among the latter day baines merry ChriStU ISS when the almost immortal holly and other evergreens evergreen ever greens sare are used la ia such prof profusion to denoie that eternal friendship su necessary to preserve tue union ul of families when the little boys and girla awake in the early morn to find men very largest stocking ug fairly groaning with the weight of presenta tbt ever faithful santa claus when tbt ardent lover alter taxing nis orain foi weeks to find some something taing suitable foi we object of his affection ventu ventures reb timidly to present his first christiab Christ mab gift and waits with great anxiety th tbt I 1 result while anile she in turn presents to him her souvenir in the utmost confidence nor are latner father and motari forgotten on day wale the aged grandpas and grandma grandman grand mab hearts heartis are made glad clad by receiving me demoes of thial final affection All nail hall such time honored that are calculated to happily and aad cheer the hearts heart of individuals of every class and grade but it is poa sible tur tor abuses anuses to grow grov ou on of customs so endeared tu to us ua bi centuries ot of time we can but regret the excessive use ot of intoxicants at ai those miserable carousals indulged in by some on day which tend to mar mai the enjoyment ot of individuals and families alike we pity those mel mei whose unnatural appetites lead cap tive live their reason and compel them to worship at ar the shrine of Bac bacchus chas instead of contributing their energies to promote leg legitimate amate enjoyment and pleasure which are arc so desirable at ai all ah times but more especially upon these occasions there is another evil not near so flagrant as the one just mentioned but whose influence is making itself felt keenly in some quarters the extravagance of afien ten exhibited ap p making pres ants mien men of large fa families milieA bat limited means tire are beginning ta to feel the i harden im imposed posea upon them at each returning christmas tha receiving of a present from a friend f alend at once suggests another in return that shall at least feast be a little in advance in value of the one received in seeking to excel each othea in this regard year after year we can an easily perceive the tax ii necessarily mut must he be upon somebody and that somebody is generally the head of the family v Our gifts instead of being what they the should be simply pimply tokens of friends friendship bip affection and love are of often ten exhibitions of desire to excel in presents 0 of f a monet monetary arv value only and this otherwise othero r pleasurable and enjoyable period is thus marred by the reflection of a depleted eted treasury or perlis perhaps a of indebtedness depleted degl de debt edness incurred or still worse in many instances a total inability to discharge honest obligations when christmas comes we bay let the merry bells chime forth their loyous joyous peals peala let fa lather titer mother son SOB and daughter gather around the family hearth made sacred by a thousand pleasing leasing I 1 recollections let the fond fl lovers vers pledge their vows ot of eternal fidelity and let friend meet friend and renew the friendship of former years rears also let those mementoes of the hearts pass f from rom one to tile the other and be prized as sacred treasures and let the poor partake of our bounty and share in our pleasures but avoid ext extravagance r ava gance an and vain show then wit will I 1 every recurring christmas be hated with a joyful anticipation that wit will be more than realized |