merry christmas
MERRY CHRISTMAS
U n ity B u ild in g , 913 T r a c y A v e n u e
VOL. I
KANSAS C IT \, MO., SATURDAY, DEC. 25, 1909
NO. 33
T H E ORIGIN O F CH RISTM AS B y R oyal F il l m o r e .
T he C h ristia n s w ere n o t th e f ir s t to c eleb ra te C h rist m as. L o n g y e ars b efo re C h rist cam e to bless this w orld w ith precious C h risti a n ity , C h ristm as w as ob served, n o t as a b irth d a y , o f course, b u t as a tim e fo r rejoicing. E v e ry n a tio n on the e a rth , w hich is reco rd e d in histo ry , k e p t th is d a y fo r fe a stin g a n d p ra is in g th e ir gods. B u t w hy especially this d ay — D ecem ber 25th? W ou ld n o t a n y d a y in th e c a le n d a r do? N o th e y gave th an k s, a n d h ad good cause, fo r on th is d a y th e su n s ta rte d N o rth to bless th em w ith w ealth a n d p le n ty again. T he E g y p tia n s fir s t ob served th is in th e ir a stro nom ical p u rsu its. T hey no ticed th a t th e sun w ent South, a n d d ro u g h t a n d fam ine follow ed in its p a th , b u t on D ecem ber 17th it sto p p e d , a n d on th e 2 5th s ta r te d b ack ag ain to sm ile once m ore u p o n th e p o o r m o rta ls, a n d give them ra in , a n d flood th e N ile, a n d m ake th e ir b o r d e rs p ro d u ce a n abun d an ce o f g ra in . So it w as w ith good reason t h a t th e y fe a ste d a n d re jo ic e d on this day, a n d welcom ed th e sun b ack again. I n tim e a ll n atio n s observed th e action o f th e su n a n d rejoiced. T he h oliday w en t b y d if fe re n t nam es. I n G reece th e people nam ed the d a y “T he F e a s t o f D ionysia.” T hen when R om e rose fro m h e r b a rb a rism , a n d p u t o u t h e r p o w e rfu l h an d an d g ra sp e d th e w orld, she called th is h a p p y tim e o f the y e ar, “ S a tu rn a lia,” a n d gave th a n k s to h e r god o f h a rv est
S a tu rn . W hen the w arm sun w ent S outh in tense cold descended on the poor in h ab itan ts, a n d k illed m any, fo r th ey h ad n o t lea rn ed to e re c t w arm dw ellings, so the C elts called this day, w hen th e welcome su n s ta rte d back to sm ile on them , the “ Y uletide,” an d the h a rd y N orsem an called i t th e “ Tw elve N ig h ts.” T h u s i t w as w hen C h ristia n ity bloomed fo rth i t fo u n d th is p a g a n holiday being ob served everyw here b y fe astin g , d rin k in g and dev o u tly th a n k in g th e ir g o d s; som ething like w e c eleb ra te T han k sg iv in g o f to d ay . T he C h ristia n em p ero rs trie d to strik e this h oliday fro m th e p a g a n c alen d a r, b u t as i t was im possible th e y w isely com prom ised, and a d o p te d i t as a d a y fo r c ele b ra tin g th e b irth o f C h rist in 98 A . D ., a n d as i t d id n o t m ake m uch d iffe re n c e to th e p a g a n w h a t he cele b ra te d so he h a d a good tim e, he accepted the com prom ise. I t is a w ell-know n fa c t th a t C h rist w as n o t b o rn on D ecem ber 25th, be cause the B ible speaks o f th e shep h erd s te n d in g th e ir flocks o u t o f doors, a n d a t th is tim e o f y e a r i t w as so ra in y t h a t i t w as im possible to h e rd sheep o r s ta y o u t doors a t all. Some a rg u e t h a t C h rist w as b o rn in M ay, b u t the ex ac t d a te does n o t m a tte r. T hough his com in g has b een m ixed w ith th e old p a g a n idea som ew hat; i t w as th e tu rn in g p o in t o f religion, fo r C h ristia n ity w as b o rn w ith J e s u s C h rist to e n lig h ten th e w orld. E n g la n d denounced C h ristm a s in 1647, a n d p ro h ib ite d its celebra tion, b ecause i t sa id i t w as a p a g a n holiday, a n d to th is d a y m an y S cotch do n o t recognize it. B u t w here d id th e id ea o f S a n ta C laus come from , a n d w h a t w as its o rig in ? S a n ta Claus is th e D u tc h p e t nam e fo r S t. N icholas whom i t is sa id lived in M y ra a n d w as a g re a t frien d o f the children. H e h a d them h an g u p th e ir stockings, a n d a t n ig h t he w ould ste al from house to house a n d give them little p re se n ts ;
WEEKLY UNITY
WEEKLY
U NI T Y.
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UNITY AUDITORIUM, U N IT Y B U IL D IN G , 913 TR A C Y ,
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S und ay, December 26, 1909. S unday School at io.
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S u p e r c o n s c io u s .
T h e C on cen tratio n Class at 3:30 No. 33
A ddress
by
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V an M
arter
8 p. m. S u b je c t:
“H is N a m e S h a ll b e C a lle d W o n d e r fu l.”
b u t th is old m y th goes fa rth e r b ack th a n St. N ick. T he G reeks h ad a jo lly old s a ty r Silenus, the god o f th e d ru n k a rd s who p re sid e d over th e ir festiv al o f D ionysia. T he R om ans h ad S a tu rn to p reside over th e ir S a tu rn a lia , an d the G erm ans th e ir god T h o r as th e o b je c t o f th e ir festivals. A ll these gods w ere re p re se n t ed to be old, a n d to sym bolize the d y in g year. W hen we see C h ristm as tre e s a ll b e-sp an g led w ith p re sen ts and candles, we m ig h t sto p to w onder w hy i t has becom e a custom , a n d th a t this d elight o f th e little child is all borrow ed from the ancient pag an s. V irg il m entions the C h ristm as tre e in his w orks. E m p e ro r D ru su s b ro u g h t th e tre e cus tom into G erm any, an d th ere it has its stro n g e st hold today. T he G erm an s claim th a t th e ir ancestors b ro u g h t th e tre e in to th e ir houses to entice the gods o f the fo re s t to e n te r a n d leave some g ifts. One th in g is c e rta in t h a t th e y all used th e fir and pine, because they re p re se n t e te rn a l life an d know ledge. T he Y ule custom used in E n g la n d to cele b ra te C hristm as w as o rig in a te d b y the S candi navians, who had larg e b o n fires a t Y uletide to please the god o f the sun a n d th e wood sp rites, and to re p re se n t renew ed life. W e can th in k o f these th in g s w hen we a re having o u r C h ristm as revelries, an d rem em ber th a t all these h a p p y custom s h a d th e ir begin ning in the in fan c y o f m ankind. The D ru id s considered the oak a sacred tree, an d as the m istletoe grew on it, a n d h a d b e r ries which g e n era lly cam e in bunches o f th ree representing? th e T rin ity , an d rip en e d in D ecem ber, they considered the p la n t a sym bol o f th e ir god o f the sun, a n d h u n g it over th e ir doors to entice the wood sp rite s to e n ter. I f a frie n d m et a frie n d u n d e r such a b u n ch of
m istletoe it w as a sign o f e te rn a l love an d frien d sh ip , an d O den, fa th e r o f B olden, the sun god, took n ote o f a ll th e ir good wishes. The hum an race has becom e m ore a n d m ore a ffe c tio n a te, a n d to d a y seals such frien d sh ip u n d e r the m istletoe w ith a kiss. T h u s we fin d a ll o u r h oliday custom s have th e ir o rig in in th e sem i-civilized p a g a n o f yes te rd a y , a n d the old say in g is revived, “ T here is n o th in g new u n d e r th e sun.”
A TIMELY TALK L a s t S u n d a y m orning, M r. F illm o re gave a tim ely ta lk on “ R e tro sp ec tio n ,” explain in g th e law o f m ind b y w hich m en d issip a te th e ir force w hen they allow th e ir th o u g h ts to dw ell upon the p a st. T he m ind is c o n sta n tly b u ild in g w ithin a n d a tta c h in g its e lf to, o r d e ta ch in g i t self from , things w ithout. I f i t th in k s a b o u t the th in g s o f th e p a s t it a tta c h e s th e v ita l force to th e th o u g h t form s o f th a t p eriod, a n d th ere is a p u llin g b ack in stea d o f a going fo rw ard . T he child ren o f the R eal, the “ch ild ren o f Is ra e l” w ero com m anded to “ go fo rw a rd .” P ro g re ss is the law o f life, a n d an y system of th o u g h t th a t holds m an to the p a st, b e little s and d e te rio ra tes. O ld people g e t childish be cause they dw ell in th o u g h t on th e p lea su re s o f the p a s t and m inim ize th e jo y s o f the presen t. The lesson is, c u ltiv ate a h a b it o f re jo icin g in th e good th a t now is, a n d th u s b u ild u p m ind, body an d a ffa irs. “ One th in g I do, fo rg e ttin g the th in g s which a re behind, an d stre tc h in g fo rw a rd to the th in g s w hich a re before, I p re ss on to w a rd the goal u n to th e prize o f tn e high callin g o f God in C h rist Je su s .”
WEEKLY UNITY a b ro a d th e saying w hich w as to ld them concern ing th is child. H is m ercy flows oh like a river. H is love is u n m ea su re d a n d fre e ; H is g race is forever, su ffic ie n t, I t reaches an d p u rifie s me. Chorus.
RESPONSIVE
SERVICE
Sunday, December 26 S ong— J o y to the W o iid ._ ,............................... 107. A n d th e re w ere in th e sam e c o u n try shep h e rd s ab id in g in the field, keep in g w a tch over th e ir flock b y n ight. A n d , lo, th e an g el o f th e L o rd cam e upon them , a n d the glo ry o f th e L o rd shone ro u n d a b o u t them : a n d th ey w ere sore a fra id . A n d th e angel sa id u n to them , F e a r n o t: fo r, behold, 1 b rin g you good tid in g s o f g re a t jo y , which shall be to all people. F o r u n to you is b o rn th is d a y in the c ity of D av id a Saviour, which is C h rist the L ord. N o. 65, R ed B o o k . Oh, sw eet is th e sto ry o f Je su s, T he w o n d e rfu l S av io u r o f m en, W ho overcam e d e a th fo r th e sinner— I ’ll te ll it ag ain an d a g a in ! C h o ru s: O w o n derful, w o n d e rfu l sto ry , T he d e a re st th a t ever w as t o ld ; I ’ll re p e a t it in glory, the w o n d e rfu l story, W h ere I shall his b e a u ty behold. A n d this shall be a sign u n to y o u ; Ye shall fin d th e babe w ra p p e d in sw ad d lin g clothes, lying in a m anger. A n d su d d en ly th ere w as w ith th e a n g el a m u ltitu d e o f th e heavenly host p ra is in g God, and saying. G lo ry to G od in the highest, an d on e a rth peace, good w ill to w a rd m en. A n d th ey cam e w ith h a ste, a n d fo u n d M ary, and th e b ab e ly in g in a m anger. A n d when th ey had seen it, they m ade known
A n d all th ey th a t h e ard i t w ondered a t those th in g s w hich w ere to ld th em b y th e shepherds. B u t M a ry k e p t all these things, a n d p ondered them in h e r h e art. A nd th e shepherds re tu rn e d , g lo rify in g and p ra is in g G od fo r a ll th e th in g s t h a t they had h e a rd a n d seen, as i t w as u n to them . Go ye th ere fo re, an d tea ch all natio n s, b a p tiz in g them in th e nam e o f th e F a th e r, a n d o f the Son, a n d o f th e H o ly G h o st: A n d saying, T he tim e is fu lfilled , an d tne kingdom o f G od is a t h a n d : re p e n t ye, a n d be lieve th e gospel. Song— A ll H a il the P o w er..................................135.
R E G U L A R M E E T IN G S Irv U n ity A u d it o r iu m SUNDAY
S unday School, i o a . m. M r s . IV. G. H a se ltin e , S u p e r in te n d e n t. R e g u la r service, i i a. m. C harles F illm ore. T h e C o n c en tratio n C lass 3:3c p. m. M r s . A n n a II. R a y . E vening S ervice, 8 p. m ., M r s . S o p h ia V an M a r te r . MONDAY
H ig h Noon Silence, 12 to 12:15. L esso n in H e a lth and H arm ony 2:30 p. m. M y r tle F illm o re TU E S D A Y
H igh Noon Silence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e alth and H arm ony, 2:3^ p. m, C harles F illm ore. W EDNESDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. M id-W eek M eeting, 2:30 p. m. H ealin g M eeting 8 p. m. THURSDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e a lth an d H arm ony, 2:30 p. m. M r s . S o p h ia V an M a r te r . FRIDAY
H igh Noon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e a lth an d H arm ony, 2:30 p. m. M a rio n A u s tin D r a k e SA TURDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12-15. Lesson in H e alth a n d H arm ony. 2:30 p. m. M rs. A nna H. R ay
WEEKLY UNITY THE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT AND TREE F r id a y E v e n in g —C h r is tm a s E v e n in g —at 8 o ’c lo c k PR O G R A M M E. 1.
Song,
2.
S ile n t W o rd ,
3.
Song,
4.
P r a c tic a l T en
5.
R e c ita tio n ,
Joy
to
th e
W o r ld , ..C o n g r e g a tio n .
........... M rs . E d it h H
a s e l t in e .
W ith H e a r ts S o L ig h t,
..............................Miss G aylord ’s C lass . M in u te
C h r is tm a s
T a lk ,
..................................... C h a r l e s F il l m o r e . M erry
C h r is tm a s
..............................................
6.
to
A ll,
D elsa F r a n z .
S on g, L ittle M en ,
............M rs . E d it h
H
a s e l t in e ’s
7.
S o n g , C h r is tm a s a t C h r is tm a s ,
8.
P r e lim in a r y
..
C lass.
M r s B l a x c h e H a s e l t i x e ’s C la s s . to d is tr ib u tin g P r e s e n ts ,
..........................................M rs . J . H . C r o ft .
9.
Song,
B r ig h te s t o f A ll,
I rexe G aylord ’s H a s e l t ix e ’s Classes .
10. 11.
axd
S iv e e t C h r is tm a s D a y
The Concentration Class T he su b je c t fo r th e C o n c en tratio n class, S u n d a y D ecem ber 26, a t 3:30 w ill be “G ra titn d e a n d T han k sg iv in g .” P e rh a p s th e re is no a ttitu d e o f th e m ind w hich opens th e w ay fo r th e inflow o f th e S p irit as does P ra ise , T han k sg iv in g a n d G ra titu d e . T his lesson is to p re p a re th e w ay fo r a n espe cial b a p tism o f th e S p irit on th e f ir s t Sunday o f th e y ear, w here th e class s u b je c t w ill be P ro s p e rity .
B la x ch e
T hose who a re in te re s te d in th e th o u g h t oi P ro s p e rity a re co rd ially in v ited to be preseni a t b o th classes.
G o o d N ig h t,
O n J a n u a ry 9, th e re g u la r su b je c ts o f the class w ill be resum ed. T he p u rp o se o f this class-is to help a ll who w ish to come in to close] Com m union w ith th e S p irit, o r in o th er w ords to show how to “ go in to th e Silence,” anc come in to a re aliz a tio n o f th e presence o f God
S u r p r is e . Song,
M rs. V a n M a rte r's m ee tin g on la s t S u n d ay evening-w as given to the fu rth e r c onsideration o f th e s u b je c t o f “ Im m o rta l L ife a n d Y outh.” T he chief p o in t o f in te re s t in h e r a d d ress w as th a t y o u th is e te rn a lly renew ed w hen the in d iv id u a l consciousness is lin k ed w ith th e U n i v ersal. N o th in g e x te rn a l w ill k eep one in the bloom o f yo u th , b u t a d a ily re aliz a tio n o f in dw elling. In fin ite L ife w ill estab lish one in such a consciousness o f life t h a t th e bo d y w ill be tra n s fo rm e d an d b e a r th e im age o f P e rfe c tion.
................................................... A ll C lasses .
T he f ir s t th re e row s o f se a ts in th e A u d ito riu m w ill be reserv ed fo r th e U n ity S u n d a y School C hildren. E v e ry one who is in te re s te d in C h ristm as is in v ited to be p re se n t. T h ere a re C h a ra c te rs to ta k e p a r t in th e su rp rise whose nam es a re n o t given here. N e a rly all o f them yo u have m e t a n d some a re old frien d s o f yours. Com e early. T he re g u la r m o n th ly m ee tin g o f th e W o m an ’s A u x ilia ry w ill be h eld F rid a y , D ecem ber 31, a t 3 p. m . in U n ity P a rlo r. A re q u e st is m ade th a t all w om en having a blessed d o lla r w ill re tu r n i t w ith increase a t th is m eeting. M r s . M. C. O ’N e i l l . Secy. T he re g u la r m ee tin g o f th e B o a rd o f D ire c to rs o f th e U n ity S ociety o f P ra c tic a l C h risti a n ity w ill be held n e x t M onday evening, D ecem b e r 27.
T he a n n u al election o f D ire cto rs b y the mem b e rs o f th e U n ity S ociety o f P ra c tic a l C hristi a n ity w ill be held S u n d a y m orning, J a n u a r; 2d d irec tly a f te r th e m o rning service.
U N IT Y SUNDAY SC H O O L OFFICERS M r s. E d ith H a seltin e, S u tt . M rs. B la n ch e E v elyn S a e e H a seltin e, A s s t. S u tt . M iss Tessie W allace. Secreta ry. M r . F r a n k H a r lin g , Treasurer
TEACHERS L ittle Folks. M r s. H a se ltin e: C h ild re n , B la n c h e S a i H a se ltin e: Y o u n g L a d ie ., M iss G a ylo rd : Y o u n g Folks M rs. C r o ft: Bibl{ Class, M r . H o a g la n d .
U n ity B u ild in g , 913 T r a c y A v e n u e
VOL. I
KANSAS C IT \, MO., SATURDAY, DEC. 25, 1909
NO. 33
T H E ORIGIN O F CH RISTM AS B y R oyal F il l m o r e .
T he C h ristia n s w ere n o t th e f ir s t to c eleb ra te C h rist m as. L o n g y e ars b efo re C h rist cam e to bless this w orld w ith precious C h risti a n ity , C h ristm as w as ob served, n o t as a b irth d a y , o f course, b u t as a tim e fo r rejoicing. E v e ry n a tio n on the e a rth , w hich is reco rd e d in histo ry , k e p t th is d a y fo r fe a stin g a n d p ra is in g th e ir gods. B u t w hy especially this d ay — D ecem ber 25th? W ou ld n o t a n y d a y in th e c a le n d a r do? N o th e y gave th an k s, a n d h ad good cause, fo r on th is d a y th e su n s ta rte d N o rth to bless th em w ith w ealth a n d p le n ty again. T he E g y p tia n s fir s t ob served th is in th e ir a stro nom ical p u rsu its. T hey no ticed th a t th e sun w ent South, a n d d ro u g h t a n d fam ine follow ed in its p a th , b u t on D ecem ber 17th it sto p p e d , a n d on th e 2 5th s ta r te d b ack ag ain to sm ile once m ore u p o n th e p o o r m o rta ls, a n d give them ra in , a n d flood th e N ile, a n d m ake th e ir b o r d e rs p ro d u ce a n abun d an ce o f g ra in . So it w as w ith good reason t h a t th e y fe a ste d a n d re jo ic e d on this day, a n d welcom ed th e sun b ack again. I n tim e a ll n atio n s observed th e action o f th e su n a n d rejoiced. T he h oliday w en t b y d if fe re n t nam es. I n G reece th e people nam ed the d a y “T he F e a s t o f D ionysia.” T hen when R om e rose fro m h e r b a rb a rism , a n d p u t o u t h e r p o w e rfu l h an d an d g ra sp e d th e w orld, she called th is h a p p y tim e o f the y e ar, “ S a tu rn a lia,” a n d gave th a n k s to h e r god o f h a rv est
S a tu rn . W hen the w arm sun w ent S outh in tense cold descended on the poor in h ab itan ts, a n d k illed m any, fo r th ey h ad n o t lea rn ed to e re c t w arm dw ellings, so the C elts called this day, w hen th e welcome su n s ta rte d back to sm ile on them , the “ Y uletide,” an d the h a rd y N orsem an called i t th e “ Tw elve N ig h ts.” T h u s i t w as w hen C h ristia n ity bloomed fo rth i t fo u n d th is p a g a n holiday being ob served everyw here b y fe astin g , d rin k in g and dev o u tly th a n k in g th e ir g o d s; som ething like w e c eleb ra te T han k sg iv in g o f to d ay . T he C h ristia n em p ero rs trie d to strik e this h oliday fro m th e p a g a n c alen d a r, b u t as i t was im possible th e y w isely com prom ised, and a d o p te d i t as a d a y fo r c ele b ra tin g th e b irth o f C h rist in 98 A . D ., a n d as i t d id n o t m ake m uch d iffe re n c e to th e p a g a n w h a t he cele b ra te d so he h a d a good tim e, he accepted the com prom ise. I t is a w ell-know n fa c t th a t C h rist w as n o t b o rn on D ecem ber 25th, be cause the B ible speaks o f th e shep h erd s te n d in g th e ir flocks o u t o f doors, a n d a t th is tim e o f y e a r i t w as so ra in y t h a t i t w as im possible to h e rd sheep o r s ta y o u t doors a t all. Some a rg u e t h a t C h rist w as b o rn in M ay, b u t the ex ac t d a te does n o t m a tte r. T hough his com in g has b een m ixed w ith th e old p a g a n idea som ew hat; i t w as th e tu rn in g p o in t o f religion, fo r C h ristia n ity w as b o rn w ith J e s u s C h rist to e n lig h ten th e w orld. E n g la n d denounced C h ristm a s in 1647, a n d p ro h ib ite d its celebra tion, b ecause i t sa id i t w as a p a g a n holiday, a n d to th is d a y m an y S cotch do n o t recognize it. B u t w here d id th e id ea o f S a n ta C laus come from , a n d w h a t w as its o rig in ? S a n ta Claus is th e D u tc h p e t nam e fo r S t. N icholas whom i t is sa id lived in M y ra a n d w as a g re a t frien d o f the children. H e h a d them h an g u p th e ir stockings, a n d a t n ig h t he w ould ste al from house to house a n d give them little p re se n ts ;
WEEKLY UNITY
WEEKLY
U NI T Y.
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UNITY AUDITORIUM, U N IT Y B U IL D IN G , 913 TR A C Y ,
P U B L IS H E D W E E K L Y BY
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S und ay, December 26, 1909. S unday School at io.
UN ITY B LD G . 9 I 3 TRACY AVE.
A ddress
KANSAS C ITY , MO.
by
C harles F
il l m o r e .
11 a. m. L O W E L L F L L L M O R E . M a n a g in g E d ito r
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$1.00 pe r year, 2 cts. p e r copy
S u b je c t:
C h r is t
and
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S u p e r c o n s c io u s .
T h e C on cen tratio n Class at 3:30 No. 33
A ddress
by
M
rs.
V an M
arter
8 p. m. S u b je c t:
“H is N a m e S h a ll b e C a lle d W o n d e r fu l.”
b u t th is old m y th goes fa rth e r b ack th a n St. N ick. T he G reeks h ad a jo lly old s a ty r Silenus, the god o f th e d ru n k a rd s who p re sid e d over th e ir festiv al o f D ionysia. T he R om ans h ad S a tu rn to p reside over th e ir S a tu rn a lia , an d the G erm ans th e ir god T h o r as th e o b je c t o f th e ir festivals. A ll these gods w ere re p re se n t ed to be old, a n d to sym bolize the d y in g year. W hen we see C h ristm as tre e s a ll b e-sp an g led w ith p re sen ts and candles, we m ig h t sto p to w onder w hy i t has becom e a custom , a n d th a t this d elight o f th e little child is all borrow ed from the ancient pag an s. V irg il m entions the C h ristm as tre e in his w orks. E m p e ro r D ru su s b ro u g h t th e tre e cus tom into G erm any, an d th ere it has its stro n g e st hold today. T he G erm an s claim th a t th e ir ancestors b ro u g h t th e tre e in to th e ir houses to entice the gods o f the fo re s t to e n te r a n d leave some g ifts. One th in g is c e rta in t h a t th e y all used th e fir and pine, because they re p re se n t e te rn a l life an d know ledge. T he Y ule custom used in E n g la n d to cele b ra te C hristm as w as o rig in a te d b y the S candi navians, who had larg e b o n fires a t Y uletide to please the god o f the sun a n d th e wood sp rites, and to re p re se n t renew ed life. W e can th in k o f these th in g s w hen we a re having o u r C h ristm as revelries, an d rem em ber th a t all these h a p p y custom s h a d th e ir begin ning in the in fan c y o f m ankind. The D ru id s considered the oak a sacred tree, an d as the m istletoe grew on it, a n d h a d b e r ries which g e n era lly cam e in bunches o f th ree representing? th e T rin ity , an d rip en e d in D ecem ber, they considered the p la n t a sym bol o f th e ir god o f the sun, a n d h u n g it over th e ir doors to entice the wood sp rite s to e n ter. I f a frie n d m et a frie n d u n d e r such a b u n ch of
m istletoe it w as a sign o f e te rn a l love an d frien d sh ip , an d O den, fa th e r o f B olden, the sun god, took n ote o f a ll th e ir good wishes. The hum an race has becom e m ore a n d m ore a ffe c tio n a te, a n d to d a y seals such frien d sh ip u n d e r the m istletoe w ith a kiss. T h u s we fin d a ll o u r h oliday custom s have th e ir o rig in in th e sem i-civilized p a g a n o f yes te rd a y , a n d the old say in g is revived, “ T here is n o th in g new u n d e r th e sun.”
A TIMELY TALK L a s t S u n d a y m orning, M r. F illm o re gave a tim ely ta lk on “ R e tro sp ec tio n ,” explain in g th e law o f m ind b y w hich m en d issip a te th e ir force w hen they allow th e ir th o u g h ts to dw ell upon the p a st. T he m ind is c o n sta n tly b u ild in g w ithin a n d a tta c h in g its e lf to, o r d e ta ch in g i t self from , things w ithout. I f i t th in k s a b o u t the th in g s o f th e p a s t it a tta c h e s th e v ita l force to th e th o u g h t form s o f th a t p eriod, a n d th ere is a p u llin g b ack in stea d o f a going fo rw ard . T he child ren o f the R eal, the “ch ild ren o f Is ra e l” w ero com m anded to “ go fo rw a rd .” P ro g re ss is the law o f life, a n d an y system of th o u g h t th a t holds m an to the p a st, b e little s and d e te rio ra tes. O ld people g e t childish be cause they dw ell in th o u g h t on th e p lea su re s o f the p a s t and m inim ize th e jo y s o f the presen t. The lesson is, c u ltiv ate a h a b it o f re jo icin g in th e good th a t now is, a n d th u s b u ild u p m ind, body an d a ffa irs. “ One th in g I do, fo rg e ttin g the th in g s which a re behind, an d stre tc h in g fo rw a rd to the th in g s w hich a re before, I p re ss on to w a rd the goal u n to th e prize o f tn e high callin g o f God in C h rist Je su s .”
WEEKLY UNITY a b ro a d th e saying w hich w as to ld them concern ing th is child. H is m ercy flows oh like a river. H is love is u n m ea su re d a n d fre e ; H is g race is forever, su ffic ie n t, I t reaches an d p u rifie s me. Chorus.
RESPONSIVE
SERVICE
Sunday, December 26 S ong— J o y to the W o iid ._ ,............................... 107. A n d th e re w ere in th e sam e c o u n try shep h e rd s ab id in g in the field, keep in g w a tch over th e ir flock b y n ight. A n d , lo, th e an g el o f th e L o rd cam e upon them , a n d the glo ry o f th e L o rd shone ro u n d a b o u t them : a n d th ey w ere sore a fra id . A n d th e angel sa id u n to them , F e a r n o t: fo r, behold, 1 b rin g you good tid in g s o f g re a t jo y , which shall be to all people. F o r u n to you is b o rn th is d a y in the c ity of D av id a Saviour, which is C h rist the L ord. N o. 65, R ed B o o k . Oh, sw eet is th e sto ry o f Je su s, T he w o n d e rfu l S av io u r o f m en, W ho overcam e d e a th fo r th e sinner— I ’ll te ll it ag ain an d a g a in ! C h o ru s: O w o n derful, w o n d e rfu l sto ry , T he d e a re st th a t ever w as t o ld ; I ’ll re p e a t it in glory, the w o n d e rfu l story, W h ere I shall his b e a u ty behold. A n d this shall be a sign u n to y o u ; Ye shall fin d th e babe w ra p p e d in sw ad d lin g clothes, lying in a m anger. A n d su d d en ly th ere w as w ith th e a n g el a m u ltitu d e o f th e heavenly host p ra is in g God, and saying. G lo ry to G od in the highest, an d on e a rth peace, good w ill to w a rd m en. A n d th ey cam e w ith h a ste, a n d fo u n d M ary, and th e b ab e ly in g in a m anger. A n d when th ey had seen it, they m ade known
A n d all th ey th a t h e ard i t w ondered a t those th in g s w hich w ere to ld th em b y th e shepherds. B u t M a ry k e p t all these things, a n d p ondered them in h e r h e art. A nd th e shepherds re tu rn e d , g lo rify in g and p ra is in g G od fo r a ll th e th in g s t h a t they had h e a rd a n d seen, as i t w as u n to them . Go ye th ere fo re, an d tea ch all natio n s, b a p tiz in g them in th e nam e o f th e F a th e r, a n d o f the Son, a n d o f th e H o ly G h o st: A n d saying, T he tim e is fu lfilled , an d tne kingdom o f G od is a t h a n d : re p e n t ye, a n d be lieve th e gospel. Song— A ll H a il the P o w er..................................135.
R E G U L A R M E E T IN G S Irv U n ity A u d it o r iu m SUNDAY
S unday School, i o a . m. M r s . IV. G. H a se ltin e , S u p e r in te n d e n t. R e g u la r service, i i a. m. C harles F illm ore. T h e C o n c en tratio n C lass 3:3c p. m. M r s . A n n a II. R a y . E vening S ervice, 8 p. m ., M r s . S o p h ia V an M a r te r . MONDAY
H ig h Noon Silence, 12 to 12:15. L esso n in H e a lth and H arm ony 2:30 p. m. M y r tle F illm o re TU E S D A Y
H igh Noon Silence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e alth and H arm ony, 2:3^ p. m, C harles F illm ore. W EDNESDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. M id-W eek M eeting, 2:30 p. m. H ealin g M eeting 8 p. m. THURSDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e a lth an d H arm ony, 2:30 p. m. M r s . S o p h ia V an M a r te r . FRIDAY
H igh Noon S ilence, 12 to 12:15. L esson in H e a lth an d H arm ony, 2:30 p. m. M a rio n A u s tin D r a k e SA TURDAY
H ig h N oon S ilence, 12 to 12-15. Lesson in H e alth a n d H arm ony. 2:30 p. m. M rs. A nna H. R ay
WEEKLY UNITY THE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT AND TREE F r id a y E v e n in g —C h r is tm a s E v e n in g —at 8 o ’c lo c k PR O G R A M M E. 1.
Song,
2.
S ile n t W o rd ,
3.
Song,
4.
P r a c tic a l T en
5.
R e c ita tio n ,
Joy
to
th e
W o r ld , ..C o n g r e g a tio n .
........... M rs . E d it h H
a s e l t in e .
W ith H e a r ts S o L ig h t,
..............................Miss G aylord ’s C lass . M in u te
C h r is tm a s
T a lk ,
..................................... C h a r l e s F il l m o r e . M erry
C h r is tm a s
..............................................
6.
to
A ll,
D elsa F r a n z .
S on g, L ittle M en ,
............M rs . E d it h
H
a s e l t in e ’s
7.
S o n g , C h r is tm a s a t C h r is tm a s ,
8.
P r e lim in a r y
..
C lass.
M r s B l a x c h e H a s e l t i x e ’s C la s s . to d is tr ib u tin g P r e s e n ts ,
..........................................M rs . J . H . C r o ft .
9.
Song,
B r ig h te s t o f A ll,
I rexe G aylord ’s H a s e l t ix e ’s Classes .
10. 11.
axd
S iv e e t C h r is tm a s D a y
The Concentration Class T he su b je c t fo r th e C o n c en tratio n class, S u n d a y D ecem ber 26, a t 3:30 w ill be “G ra titn d e a n d T han k sg iv in g .” P e rh a p s th e re is no a ttitu d e o f th e m ind w hich opens th e w ay fo r th e inflow o f th e S p irit as does P ra ise , T han k sg iv in g a n d G ra titu d e . T his lesson is to p re p a re th e w ay fo r a n espe cial b a p tism o f th e S p irit on th e f ir s t Sunday o f th e y ear, w here th e class s u b je c t w ill be P ro s p e rity .
B la x ch e
T hose who a re in te re s te d in th e th o u g h t oi P ro s p e rity a re co rd ially in v ited to be preseni a t b o th classes.
G o o d N ig h t,
O n J a n u a ry 9, th e re g u la r su b je c ts o f the class w ill be resum ed. T he p u rp o se o f this class-is to help a ll who w ish to come in to close] Com m union w ith th e S p irit, o r in o th er w ords to show how to “ go in to th e Silence,” anc come in to a re aliz a tio n o f th e presence o f God
S u r p r is e . Song,
M rs. V a n M a rte r's m ee tin g on la s t S u n d ay evening-w as given to the fu rth e r c onsideration o f th e s u b je c t o f “ Im m o rta l L ife a n d Y outh.” T he chief p o in t o f in te re s t in h e r a d d ress w as th a t y o u th is e te rn a lly renew ed w hen the in d iv id u a l consciousness is lin k ed w ith th e U n i v ersal. N o th in g e x te rn a l w ill k eep one in the bloom o f yo u th , b u t a d a ily re aliz a tio n o f in dw elling. In fin ite L ife w ill estab lish one in such a consciousness o f life t h a t th e bo d y w ill be tra n s fo rm e d an d b e a r th e im age o f P e rfe c tion.
................................................... A ll C lasses .
T he f ir s t th re e row s o f se a ts in th e A u d ito riu m w ill be reserv ed fo r th e U n ity S u n d a y School C hildren. E v e ry one who is in te re s te d in C h ristm as is in v ited to be p re se n t. T h ere a re C h a ra c te rs to ta k e p a r t in th e su rp rise whose nam es a re n o t given here. N e a rly all o f them yo u have m e t a n d some a re old frien d s o f yours. Com e early. T he re g u la r m o n th ly m ee tin g o f th e W o m an ’s A u x ilia ry w ill be h eld F rid a y , D ecem ber 31, a t 3 p. m . in U n ity P a rlo r. A re q u e st is m ade th a t all w om en having a blessed d o lla r w ill re tu r n i t w ith increase a t th is m eeting. M r s . M. C. O ’N e i l l . Secy. T he re g u la r m ee tin g o f th e B o a rd o f D ire c to rs o f th e U n ity S ociety o f P ra c tic a l C h risti a n ity w ill be held n e x t M onday evening, D ecem b e r 27.
T he a n n u al election o f D ire cto rs b y the mem b e rs o f th e U n ity S ociety o f P ra c tic a l C hristi a n ity w ill be held S u n d a y m orning, J a n u a r; 2d d irec tly a f te r th e m o rning service.
U N IT Y SUNDAY SC H O O L OFFICERS M r s. E d ith H a seltin e, S u tt . M rs. B la n ch e E v elyn S a e e H a seltin e, A s s t. S u tt . M iss Tessie W allace. Secreta ry. M r . F r a n k H a r lin g , Treasurer
TEACHERS L ittle Folks. M r s. H a se ltin e: C h ild re n , B la n c h e S a i H a se ltin e: Y o u n g L a d ie ., M iss G a ylo rd : Y o u n g Folks M rs. C r o ft: Bibl{ Class, M r . H o a g la n d .
