Newspapers / The Roanoke Beacon and … / Dec. 25, 1941, edition 1 / Page 2
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THE Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News PUBLISHED EVERT THURSDAY in Plymouth. Washington County, North Carolina f The Roanoke Beacon is Wash ( ngton County's only newspaper It was established in 1889. consoli iated with the Washington County News in 1929 and with The Sun in 1937. Subscription Rates Payable in Advance) One year_$1.50 Six months_ .75 Advertising Rates Furnished Upon Request Entered as second-class matter it the post office in Plymouth. N. C., under the act of Congress if March 3. 1879. December 25, 1941 REV RISTIII4S “Bert Withes to Everyone for a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New _ . DECEMBER 14—Ft Leavenworth. Kan*., eetabliihed. 1827. It—ChrUtma* Day M—FUM (ucaaful dagiMn* otype mad* in N. Y.. 1840. 17—Srituh abandoned Deio ware river post*. 1778. It—Midway Ucnde taken by U. i. 1167. It—Teia* admitted to Uniat 1845. It—Gadedaa Purchase treaty Mgned. 1851 A Prayer for Christmas—1941 By Mary Cotten Davenport Mackeys, N. C. No pretty baubles, tinseled, gay, Do we ask this Christmas Day; But virtues, lasting, rooted deep, Through the years to cherish, keep; Strength to suffer and work and wait, An open mind free from hate, A body strong, courageous, true, Stamina to see this dark hour through, A hope that shines through the tears, Release from selfish wants and fears, Faith that this grim war will cease, An abiding trust in the Prince of Peace. These are the things for which w'e pray, The gifts we ask this Christmas Day. The Silent Bells By Ruth Taylor “I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play And wild and sweet, The words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Only in our own land will the bells ring out in free and joyous song this Christmastide. Only on this contin ent will the sound of ringing bells mean the celebration of the great holiday of the world, which for cent uries has brought joy and gladness to all people, even to the humblest homes. Where are the bells of Germany that once rang out in such joy the Christmas season, while happy peo ple gathered around the fir trees which Saint Wilfred gave as a symbol of Christmas to the Germanic tribes —a symbol of eternal life as opposed to the blood sacrifices of Thor and Wotan. From their hearths no long er rise the merry strains of ‘‘Oh, Tan nenbaum.” Instead, the Horst Wes Pi... 85c bf Gntnbros. Inc Cinti. 0 sel song blares defiance to the Prince of Peace. The bells of Austria are mute. The lovely "Stille Xacht," written by a parish priest for his faithful flock, no longer rings upon the midnight air. Austria lies crushed, with little heart to sing. The carillons in Belgium, singing from their tall belfries, have been stilled, and there is little hope in Hol land this year of the kind Kris Krin gle appearing with his bag of toy’s for good children. The hauntingly exquisite ‘‘Noel, Noel,” that sweet carol beloved of all Christmas singers, will not ring through a France saddened, torn by w’ar and a more devastating peace, and threatened both within and with out by new dangers. Russia is long since mute, its gold ens bells, for all practical purposes, silenced by those who fear religion as much as the enemy army. The bells of Italy, what could they mean this year to the women left at home, their men gone to spend their lives in aggression against peaceful neighbors? What can the grand mo tif of “Adeste Fideles” mean to a nation locked in closest bonds to the godless Nazis? And in England—where the church bells for centuries rang in Christmas from every village green—the bells now ring only to warn of danger and death, instead of the new life which Christmas signifies, sending the child ren scurrying not to happy family gatherings around the Yule log, but to deep underground air-raid shelters. Even here Christmas will have a keen joy tinctured with sadness—for thougfi we are still free, the long threatened war is upon us. Our men lie dead thousands of miles from home. And yet—ringout,wild bells, in the land that is free—ring out your song, for you may reach and re vive the hopes of those in other lands whose Christmas joy is dimmed. You may remind all those who hear your cheerful tones of the joys they still possess. You may recall to the world that the good tidings of great joy was promised to all the people, bring ing peace on earth and good will to men. The Children Wait The News and Observer Ther<v*have been renewed bicker ings jfcout the Warren textbook on North Carolina history, which was bafred from North Carolina schools at the end of last term by the Gov ernor and the State Board of Edu cation because of innumerable errors, but which is still being used in some schools for lack of something better. That lack is shared by the children of all the schools. Teachers of North Carolina in the public schools are in a quandary. If a course in the sub ject is to be given at all it must be given in one of three ways—without any textbook, with the inaccurate and outlawed Warren text, of with the obsolete Hill book, written many years ago and possessing other defic iencies besides that of being obso lete. Secretary of State Thad Eure has proposed that the State write its own history, using the Warren text as a basis, but the author has not agreed for that to be done without use of his name. The best thing to be done is to make a fresh start. It is already too late for the children of the State to have a modern, accurate history of their State during this school year. The children should not be required to wait beyond next year while others bicker. In All Sincerity We Extend To You The Season’s Greetings “MERRY CHRISTMAS” BLOUNTS HARDWARE AND SEED STORE NEXT TO BANK i«BWt*» THE BETHLEHEM MANGER Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, and Good Will Toward Men. JBy PRESTON C.J Soon after the time when John the Baptist was bom. Joseph, the car penter of Nazareth, the husband of Mary, had a dream: An angel stood beside him. The angel came to bring good news, that Mary, the young woman whom he was to marry, would bring forth a son, sent by the Lord God. “You shall call His name Jes us, which means ‘salvation,- because he shall save his people from their sins." Joseph knew that the coming child was to be King of Israel, of whom the phophets of old had spoken so many times. Soon after Joseph and Mary were married in Nazareth, a command went forth from the em peror, Augustus Caesar, through all the lands of the Roman empire, for all the people to go to the cities from which their families had come, and there to have their names written on a list, for the emperor wished a list of all the people under his kingdom. Joseph and Mary came from the great family of David. They with many more went to the little town of Bethlehem, to have their names written on this list. It was a long journey from Nazar eth to Bethlehem: down the mount ain to the river Jordan, then follow ing the Jordan almost to its end, and then climbing the mountains of Ju dah to the town of Bethlehem. When Joseph and Mary came to Bethlehem they found the inns filled with peo ple, who came as these two, to have their names put on this list. When Joseph and Mary came to the inn, there was no room. No one dreamed that on this night, Jesus, the King of Kings, was to be bom. The best Christian Minister they could do was to go to the stable where the cattle were kept. There the Savious of the world was born. Bethlehem was sleeping, the cattle were sleeping, God was watching over this child. Yes. when Jesus was born in Beth lehem many years ago, there was no room for him. And today, in many homes in America and all over the world there is no room for this same Christ. On the hillside of Bethle hem. some shepherds were tending their sheep. Suddenly a great light shone about th m. and they saw an angel of the Lord, standing before them. They were filled with fear, as they saw how glorious the angel was. But the angel said to them: Be not afraid: for behold, X bring you news of great joy. which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you thi night in Bethlehem, the city of David a saviour who is Christ the Lore the anointed King. You will know him by this sign, he is a new-born baby, lying in a man ger. They saw the sky about them filled with angiis. praising God and singing: Glory to God in the high est: and on earth, peace and good will toward men. Yes. America is in war. but we will sing on this night, as they did on the hillside of Bethle hem, ‘'Glory to God in the highest,” for we American people look ahead to liberty and peace in America and in all the world. For God has prom ised liberty and peace to those who serve him. That is why we came to this land many years ago, that we might have peace and a right to worship God. And God has blessed and kept us from those who might enslave our loved ones. We will sing, for after this war America will have a greater peace and liberty. There will be bom in America a lasting peace and to all the world. The shepherds said, Let us go to Bethlehem, and see this wonderful thing that has come to pass, and which the Lord has made known to us. They went to Bethlehem, and there they saw this baby Jesus lying in a manger. They told Mary of those things which they had seen; they wondered at these things, but Mary kept all these things to her heart, for she knew that this child Jesus some day would give Himself for the sins of the world, that on the cross He would give His life for peace and freedom to all the world. Let us trust God. Let us unite as one great nation with one goal. That we shall live on as America, that our flag shall fly in all its glory; the red, the white and blue, the most beauti ful of them all. It was George Wash ington who prayed, "God, may this flag never go down in battle.” We believe that these words will live on as long as God is King of all the world. We thank God for thy Son, who came to this world and brought hope beyond death. On this Christ mas, let us remember the sick, the little children in whom we can make happy by remembering them with our gifts. Bless the mothers whose sons are in war. Help us to look through the dark days and see that light, the light of liberty and peace. And may we sing the songs of the angels on Christmas. And may this song live in the hearts of our people. Peace on earth and good will toward men. Question of oo THE WEEK : : Individual Opinions of People You Know About Current Matters of General Public Interest V, '.T.T.T,T.T..flTI<3 What Do You Want Santa Claus To Bring You for Christmas? N. W. Spruill, farmer: “X want San ta Clause to bring my boy, Leslie B. Spruill, back from the Army safe and sound when the war is over. I hope we will have an early peace. And I further would like to have Santa work with the rulers of the world in an at tempt to bring about peace.” Mrs. George Curry, housewife: ‘‘I want Santa Claus to bring me the tidings on Christmas night of peace in the Pacific and the other parts of the world as well. Nothing could make more people happy than an early peace, which seems to be im probable at this time. Maybe Santa can do something about it.” Miss Marion Allen, a local teacher: ‘‘I would like to have a round-trip ticket to Florida. And if he wants to really make me happy, I would like for peace to return to the world. I wish all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” Alberta Whitsett, colored teacher: “I would like to see the world at peace once again. It would mean the dawn of a better world if it was pos sible for Santa Claus at this sacred season to scatter peace as the sun scatters sunshine. A merry Christ mas to all.” Dr. S. V. Lewis, district health offi cer: ‘‘Old Santa Claus could make me very happy if he would drop into my stocking the news that the people in this section will continue to be healthy throughout the coming year, and longer, too, if he will.” George Smith, colored brick mason: "I want Santa Claus to bring us all prosperity and happiness again. A world at peace would be as good a Christmas gift as I could imagine for myself and my friends. A merry Christmas to all.” Miss Marion Davenport, student at Roper School: ‘‘I want old St. Nick to bring me a radio, so that I can hear the news of an early peace all over the world. I would also appre ciate a satin bath robe and other use ful items.” Miss Hester Ricks, student at Roper School: “I want old Santa to bring me some United States Defense Bonds. I would like to have a house coat also. Some bedroom shoes and clothes would be greatly appreciated.” Duncan Getsinger, college student: “I want Santa Claus to bring me three good-looking blondes, a gun, some life insurance and a good law yer. In fact, I can appreciate any thing old Santa will bring.” Webb Jones, local industrial work er: I would like for old Santa Claus to bring me a ticket to the Rose Bowl Rambling ...About B; THE RAMBLER Santa Claus— By CHANNING POLLOCK In the Rotarian Magazine When she was a very little girl, my daughter asked, “What would you do if there weren't any trees?” "Why,” I answered, lightheartedly, “we’d have to invent some. We could n't get on without trees.” There are quite a lot of things— foods, shelter, clothing—we couldn’t get on without, and a number of wise men have made my suggestion—we’d have to invent them. What we must have even more than these are food for the mind, shelter for the spirit, that which clothes thenakedness of mere animal existence and gives warmth to human contacts. We celebrate Christmas as a re ligious festival, but a Christmas was celebrated hundreds of years before Christ. The ancient people of the Angli, in which is now Britain, had in December a Modranecht, of “Mo ther’s night.” There had to be a day set aside for kindness, and generosity and remembering those we love, and those less fortunate. Before and since Dickens wrote his immortal “A Christmas Carol,” there have been a few Scrooges who cried of Christmas, ‘‘Bah, humbug!” I have heard modern Scrooges call it a shopkeeper's holiday, and a nuisance, but for the overwhelming majority of us, as for Scrooge’s nephew, it is “a good time; a kind, forgiving, char itable, pleasant time; the only time I know of in the long calendar of the year when men and women open their shut-up hearts freely ... I say God bless it!” There is a certain magic in a day when even strangers bid us to be merry; when the mail and telegraph and telephone and all the means of communication commonly devoted to business bring cheery wishes for “Merry Christmas!” Shopkeepers’ holiday? Bah! Humbug! It isn’t a necktie or a dollar bill that we slip into the hand of the janitor or the postman; it’s goodwill and thank you for a year of service. It isn’t a toy train that we put under the tree for Junior, or a muffler that we wrap in red tissue for Aunt Julia, but the knowledge that Junior has always wanted a train, and that Aunt Julia has needed a muffler, and the loving desire that, just this one day, they game at Duke University on New Year’s Day, and the accessories that go with a trip to such a game.” Luther Armstrong, former high school athlete and local industrial worker: “I really don’t know. What ever he brings wil} >o appreciated.” Lue Read, theater employee: "I want Santa Claus to bring me a pair of drawers. I need ’em.’’ William Harrington, colored shoe shine boy: “I would sure be mighty tickled if old Santa Claus would bring me a bicycle Christmas.” shall have what they want and need, and that we shall see the pleasure in their eyes, and feel the warmth of their joyful kisses. Believe it or not, and smile if you like, but, at—well, say 60, my wife and I will hang up our stockings. What a lot of love and laughter and tenderness goes into the trifling gifts our little tree with bright stars and we select for those symbols. We trim tinsel, and for days ahead, in secret, we write messages, and wrap things in gay paper, and hide them from one another until the morning of mornings. Shopkeepers’ holiday! Was it only a shaving kit I could have got for myself that went into that starry package, or was it my daughter's heart that remembered the time, ages ago, when I said, “Damn that old razor! Some day I’m going to have one that fits into my hand properly.” What about the crate of oranges that comes every Christmas from a color ed elevator boy in Florida? I can buy better oranges, but I can't buy what comes with these. We dine every day, but there is only one Christmas dinner. For years that was a family festival, with all our dear ones about the table. Most of them are gone now, and our Christmas guests are people who, whatever their means, have no home of their own. Why? Well, when I was 19, and away from my home for the first time at Christmas, a very lonely lad, the mother of a chap em ployed in the office with me asked me to her home. I never saw her again; she has been dead nearly 40 years, but she and that dinner live in my memory. Last Christmas my wife and I had half a dozen old actors, forgotten now and we talked of the great days in the theater, and lived them again until long after midnight. Irene Franklin, woh had been the idol of vaudeville, sang several of her best songs to us, and a very old Shake spearean actor repeated—and how!— the soliloquy from Hamlet. It took Christmas to restore their heyday for an hour or two, and that memory goes on our golden pile of Christ mases. During a radio broadcast not long ago, I met the middle-aged woman, who, as a child of 8, wrote to the New York Sun, "Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?’’ Ev ery year the Sun reprints the reply it made editorially in 1897. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and gen erosity and devotion exist . . . There is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy poe try, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory be yond. Is it all real? Ah ... in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.’’ Of course there’s a Santa! And if there weren’t, he would be the very first of the things we’d have to In vent. Life must have love and a little childlike faith to be endurable; and the year must have at least one day when we are more conscious of faith and love than of business •iSCSI 100 PER CENT LOYAL TO THE DEALER Fifteen Years— of extending the greetings of the season to our patrons have only served to make more sincere our good wishes for them . . . In the uncertain and difficult days which lie ahead for all of us, we hope to continue serving you as in the past. Come what may, the entire facilities of our organization are at the disposal of our customers whenever we can be of service To you and yours at this Christmas season, we would extend our sincerest wish for happiness, both now and throughout the years to come. ★ ★★★★★★★★ W. H. Basnight & Co. Wholesale Distributors for Eastern Carolina PHONES 122 and 123 AHOSKIE, N. C.
The Roanoke Beacon and Washington County News (Plymouth, N.C.)
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Dec. 25, 1941, edition 1
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