The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette., December 23, 1911, Image 1

About The progressive farmer and southern farm gazette. (Starkville, Miss.) 1910-1920

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A Farm and Home V eekly for
^ Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, and T ennessee.
_ P Ki -!’un>-f;cel S ] RALEIGH, N C. —BIRMINGHAM, ALA MEMPHIS, TENN_
Volume XVI. No, 51. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1911,_WeeR.y : $1 a Year,
CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS.
MU1STMAS!
, We wonder if, after all, among all sorts and conditions of men, any
■ other word in the English langii .e awakens memories so happy and
pure and tender! Memories, first of ail, of babyhood and childish inno
cence, when the world was a fairyland, and the serpent had not entered
Eden! Memories of a mother who gave the g; wring child such trust in
all things high that— , , . . , ..
“Though he tup and lull,
He shall not blind bis soul with clay.”
Memories of home, where babyhood passed into childhood, and childhood
into youth, and brothers and sisters and playmates and schoolmates
grew together into young manhood and young womanhood! Memories,
too, of Christmases associated with sentiments sweeter than those of mere
friendships, of holiday parties and dinners where youth and beauty met
a,U* “Soft eyes spoke love to eyes which spoke again
And all went merry as a marriage bell.”
Memories, too, with older men and women, < f the time when children
came to bless their own homes, and they renewed their faith in Santa
Claus, and found again the glory of their lost youth in the Yule-tide sea
son ! * * * *
And now it is Christmas again!
And again the season when the angels sang of “Peace on earth, good
will to men!”
Let us then resolve, first of all, to enter into this spirit of the season.
We shall not, enjoy our Christmas as we should, we shall not enter fully
info its atmosphere, if there be one against whom we hold a grudge, if
there be hatred in our hearts for any human being. And if we find such
hatred for any one, let us go first of all and he reconciled to our broth
er. Then, eveu though our Christinas externals he few, even though no
gifts or luxuries adorn our homes, in our hearts v e shall have the Christ
mas that is not show nor shadow, but reality and life.
Let us give gifts, too, this Christmas season. It is a beautiful custom,
and the Christmas spirit finds its finest bower in the grace of generosity.
Let us give gifts—to loved ones and to needy ones, remembering always
that we shall find no sweetness in any gift made for barter, but only
where love for God or mau prompts the act.
But before you give gifts, O man or woman, think first of those
whom you owe. If there is any man to whom you are indebted, perhaps
your failure to pay him will keep him from giving as he would, and you
—giving with another man's money you have- unfairly withheld—what re
ward have you?
For honesty is greater than charity, and justice comes before generos
ity. If you owe any man, you can’t spend Christmas better than by go
ing to him and paying him. Resolve now (o start the new year with a
clean sheet. * * * *
Then, too, there is other debt-paying we might consider before we be
gin our Christmas giving—some debt- of love and friendship. At Christ
mas time, at least once a year, you might tell your wife that she is the best
little woman in the world; you might tell your parents (if you are still al
lowed the privilege of speaking to them) of the debt you owe them for
their training; you might tell your children that your hopes for the fu
ture are wrapped up in them, and that no worthy effort they put forth
fails to find loving appreciation from you. And you might tell your friend
how much his friendship has meant to you these last twelve months.
Nor should we forget at Christmas-time the debt we owe to Him
whose birth it celebrates—He who came to re-make the world’s philoso
phy by teaching that happiness is to he found not in what we get for
ourselves, but in what we give to others; not in being served, but in serv
ing; not in saving one’s life for one’s self, but in losing it in work for
one’s fellows, and who revealed religion not as the creed and ritual of
the ancient Jews, but the joyous life and spirit of vitalized Christianity.
* * * *
To all our great Progressive Farmer Family, now nearly 150,000
strong, the Editors ami business staff send greetings! May you all have
the merriest of Christmases, and join us two weeks hence with the spirit
of courage and helpfulness that will make 191— the happiest of all our
New Years!
CHRISTMAS CHIMES. Edwin H Blashfield.
FEATURES OF THIS ISSUE.
A MOTHERS’ EXPERIENCE MEETING—A Group of Success
ful Mothers Discuss Child Training.10, 44
A S U CCESSFUL YOUNG FARMER—Interesting Story of a
Young Mississippian . 3
DOES TILE DRAINAGE PAY?—Fifteen More; Bushels Per Acre
Usual Result . 0
FREE FARMERS’ BULLETINS—Keep This List and Order as
You Wish Them. 4 03
HELP THE AMBITIOUS WHITE TENANT BUY LAND—The ”
Hope of the South is a Great Body of Home Owners. 13
MAKING PLANS FOR 1912——Y’ou Can Win Success Next Year
Only by Careful Planning. 5
OUR PROGRESSIVE FARMER BOYS BEAT THE WORLD—
List of Big Yrields Winning Our $1,100 Worth of Prizes. ... 9
PRUNING WORK—Get Your Orchard So it Can Work Well
Next Year. jj
THE DUTY OF KEEPING WELL—Sickness Usually One’s Own
Fault. 40
WHAT ADVERTISING SHOULD COST—A Little Talk for “Busi
ness” Farmers. 43