HOLIDAY PRESENTS by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 1, 1868

HOLIDAY PRESENTS.

By James White

THERE is a growing custom in our country of making annual presents on Christmas and New Years. While this custom should not be condemned altogether, it can, we think, be greatly improved. Tens of thousands of dollars are worse than thrown away every year in valentines, gimcracks, knick knacks, candies, sweetmeats, and valueless toys of every description. These please the eye, or the taste of the children; but they injure the mind and the stomach, while they add no good.

But there is a power in these annual tokens of friendship worthy of the notice of all Christians. Their influence is to bind the hearts of parents and children, brothers and sisters, together, and to increase feelings of friendship among friends generally; and great care should be taken to select those only of real value.

Good books are among the very best gifts within our reach. Good books never do harm, while a thousand foolish things are bought and given that do harm, and nothing but harm. And while a thousand things of no real value are short-lived, and are soon forgotten, books may live and prove a blessing year after year. Good books for the youth, especially, are like an anchor in the storm. In giving good books, there is combined with the influence of friendly presents, the influence of the books themselves. Here is a double benefit, and a double inducement before the friends of truth and holiness to invest in good books to present to those who may be benefited with such presents.

We recommend as fitting presents : “The Life of Elder Joseph Bates,” “Life Incidents,” “Second-Advent Keepsake,” and “Appeal to the Youth,” in muslin.

The life of Bro. Bates is admirably adapted to all youth. Life Incidents may be read with profit by all candid persons, especially by those who have been interested more or less in the soul-stirring theme of the Second Advent. For gifts these two books will be sent postpaid to those who order them, for one dollar each.

The Second-Advent Keepsake is a beautiful, gilt-edged book in muslin, containing a text of scripture relating to the second coming of Christ, for each of the three hundred and sixty-five days in the year. If those who receive it fully commit to memory one text each day, at the end of the year they may be able to repeat as many texts relating to the second advent, as there are days in a year. It can be sent by mail, post-paid, to all who wish it for a gift, for 40 cents.

Appeal to the Youth, bound, is a neat volume, containing a brief narrative of the life, experience, and last sickness of Henry N. White; the funeral address, two pieces of music which he used to sing with great delight, his mother's letters, which she wrote to her three dear boys, while traveling from Maine to Iowa, from 1857 to 1863, and letters of sympathy from those who realized the great loss of this young man to his parents and brothers. It also contains a portrait of the deceased. Good judges regard this book in value to the youth generally, beyond estimate. It sets forth good principles and important facts in a most interesting and touching manner. It can be sent by mail, postpaid, to those who wish it for a gift, for 40 cents. A quantity by express will be furnished at one-fourth discount. The liberal who wish to do good in the direction of gifts, can here enter a good field of labor.

JAMES WHITE.

Norridgewock, Maine, Nov. 17, 1868.