Christmas and New Year's at South Lancaster, Mass by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 22, 1885

Christmas and New Year's at South Lancaster, Mass.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is perfectly proper to use the enemies artillery in the service of the Lord, provided in so doing we do not lower the Lord's standard. Notwithstanding some of our best tunes were composed by unprincipled men, they are sung all over the land by the most devout. It is utterly impossible to tell the exact day of Christ's birth. Upon this point the Bible is silent. The most prominent authors do not agree respecting the origin of celebrating that event on the 25th of December. The custom, however, of making presents at this time, has existed for many years, and there can be nothing harmful in it provided the mind is turned in the proper channel. In the South Lancaster Academy many of the students had shown a degree of interest in the school, and faithfulness in the labor department, deserving of some expression of appreciation. It was therefore thought proper to have a Christmas tree, upon which parents, and those connected with the school, should place such articles as would be of practical benefit to the students. Accordingly one was prepared without their knowledge. Quite a number of Bibles, about twenty-five volumes of "Spirit of Prophecy," "History of the Waldenses," also clothing, and other useful articles, were placed upon the tree. The students, not knowing of the tree, had obtained some worthy presents for their teachers. Proper remarks were made, directing the mind from the common custom of giving useless presents, to that which would be beneficial and lasting in its influence. We think the occasion was not only pleasant but profitable.

The foreign missions were not forgotten. Another tree was prepared at New Year's, which bore a different kind of fruit, namely, money for the support of the foreign missions. The different missions were spoken of, and those who gave had the privilege of giving to the mission which they preferred. Some gave to missions in general.

The tree contained nine very appropriate mottoes, as follows: "Australia must have the truth;" "How shall they hear without a preacher;" "Honor the Lord with thy substance;" "I will pay Thee my vows which my lips have uttered;" "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse;" "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness;" "I will surely give the tenth unto Thee;" "The tenth is the Lord's." Around these mottoes were placed envelopes containing the money. The smallest amount in any envelope was the "boy's mite"—nine cents. The largest sum pledged was a thank offering of $50. The entire amount on the tree was between three and four hundred dollars, including over two hundred dollars for the Australian Mission, and about one hundred for other missions.

The circumstances of the students were not favorable to their giving large sums for missions, as some are working their own way, and others are here at the expense of their Conferences, or friends; yet they felt it a privilege to thus show an interest in the foreign missions. The amount placed upon the tree by the school was over one hundred dollars. All seemed happy in giving, and felt that the blessing of the Lord rested upon the effort. Considering the circumstances of those present, we could but feel thankful for the disposition manifested.

We can see no harm in this method of giving, although it might be said that the money could have been given without the tree. This is very true, but exercises of this kind can be made more attractive and impressive by the use of a tree, and we see no reason for objecting to it, while the exercises are so conducted as to lead the mind away from self, to God and his work.

S. N. HASKELL.