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Shaken by the impacts of successive devastating cal- amities, our world comes now to the season of another Christmas festival, in which we must recognize with regret that for the peoples of many nations there will be little or nothing of hope or joy in the proclamation of “Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will.” There is strife in many places, laying bare the evils and human weaknesses which continue to bar our path to the achievement of the world brotherhood envisioned for mankind by its great teachers in all ages. The world’s heritage of hatred is still greater than its legacy of love and charity, which are the essential requisites of world brotherhood and the simple elements comprising the only formula by which mankind will ever be able to eradicate the woes which beset the world. A MORE PPOSPEROUS CHRISTMAS As the sun of prosperity begins to peer through the heavy clouds of the depression some significant signposts have begun to appear on the economic highway, and we look to a future more promising than for some years, as once again we extend to our readers the time honored greeting, A MERRY CHRISTMAS. Reports from all points in our national life show em- ployment to be increasing, there is more buying power as indicated by the increase in Christmas business this year, our trade is increasing as ships travel the seven seas carrying Canadian goods ‘to the markets of the world which have been opened by the removal of trade barriers. And on the whole the future looks brighter. Business firms report the “best Christmas for some years” and all around are indications that at least prosperity is on the way back. But for twenty centuries, strangely enough, men have been calling them â€"â€" as they will continue to call them until the Christmas story is no longer' told â€" ‘The Wise Men’. THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR The Christmas Season is here again, the Season of the year which provides one of those too rare moments in life when we forget the rush and cares of business and think of mutual goodwill and companionship. It is a time when we feel more kindly disposed towards one another and more grateful for the happiness and friendship with which we are surrounded than at any other period of the year. It’s Christmas, the best time of the year. Across deserts they rode in spite of scorching heat and thirst. Perils there were in their path, for bandits infested it as their offspring do to-day, and these travelâ€" lers carried priceless treasures. Through cities and villâ€" ages they passed, through crowded bazaars and market places, where the curious asked them the purpose of their strange pilgrimage. And always to these queries they had the same answer: ‘We have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him.’ Dreamers? Idealists? There doubtless was not a lounger in the most obâ€" scure of hamlets through which they passed who did not shrug his shoulders and tap his forehead significantly as these pilgrims rode by on their camels, their eyes fixed unswervingly upon the star that was their only guide. There was not a philosopher who heard of their- strange quest without branding them as the veriest of fools. It was in such an age as this that three men set out upon the strangest journey in all history. It was in the face of such material philosophies as these that, vision- aries that they were, they began their quest of an ideal. In some proverb of that age originated, perhaps; the modern cynic’s sneering counsel, ‘Watch your step!’ For the soldiers of Rome and the pampered epicures of de- cadent Greece had nothing but contempt for dreamers of dreams. In the most material of ages they were the most im- practical of idealists. The world was under the domina~ tion of a single empire that ruled by brute force, that worshipped mastery as its god. The pursuit of pleasure had degenerated into a form of licentiousness that has never been surpassed. Such philosophers as had not given themselves over to lust preached a doctrine of attaining life’s highest end through the strength of the good right arm, just as their successors to-day counsel the power of the dollar as the only source of success. THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Christmas is the season of kindness. Christmas cele- brates the coming of Christ into the world, and the heart of the Christ message is loveâ€"-â€"love expressing itself in natural channels of friendliness and good~will, love that “suffereth long and is kind.” If we have kindly emotions, let them have their way and blossom into kindly thoughts and kindly deeds. Let the free child spirit of open-hearted friendliness prevail. For this is the child’s festival, cele- brating the birth of a Child, the wonderful Giver who gave Himself for mankind. Let us carry the Christmas spirit through all the following days that come and go with all their measure of care or pain or pleasure, and bear in our hearts the'inspiration and love, hearing above all the sounds of earth and sense, the song of the angels heralding the birth of the Saviour of mankind. Sfiirit of Léve â€"â€" may we bow to the will of itâ€" Then we’ll have Christmas the whole year around! No finer word in the world can be found! Molded and made for us mortals to sing of it; Full of the tingle that makes pulses pound! Christmas! The lilt and the rhythm and thrill of it!â€" Christmas! We all love the sound and the sing of it; Sinner and saint, and the godless, and good; Hearts of the world all respond to the ring of itâ€" Bringing mankind into one BROTHERHOOD! Christmas! All nations rejoice to the thrill of it !â€" Paupers and peasants; the rich and renowned; _ At this glorious season when the captivating spirit of Christmas is pouring its radiance of good cheer into the hearts of all, we take pleasure in extending to you, our readers, our sincere good wishes for a Very Merry Christ- mas. Christmas! The magical, musical ring of it;â€" Advertising Rates on Application. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 1936. AN INDEPENDENT WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT RICHMOND HILL THE LIBERAL PRINTING CO., LTD. Member Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Subscription $1.50 per year â€" To the United States $2.00 Covering Canada’s Best Suburban District J. Eachern Smith, Manager PAGE TWO STILL FAR FROM PEACE THEY FOLLOW A STAR A MERRY CHRISTMAS “THE LIBERAL” Established 1878 TELEPHONE 9. “The years passed by. Isa marâ€" ried and went to live abroad, and Lady X, through living on her own, became somewhat eccentric. She sud- denly had a fear of dying, inasmuch as she was not perfect, and. believ- ing that only the perfect in mind and body could enter heaven, she thought she would not be admitted. She consulted with her old lawyer, Jarvis, who lived on the estate, and who managed her affairs. “To appease her troubled mind the old man suggested: that she should have a duplicate arm made of solid gold. This should be buried with her- and then he said: ‘When Peter sees you and realizes how much more valuable you are than the rest, he will doubtless let you in first.” “The arm was made and when her time came Lady X was called to rest and the golden arm was buried with her. In her endeavour to ob- tain eternal bliss the good lady be- queathed every penny to the Church and poor old Lawyer Jarvis, who had hoped for happiness in his old age through a consideration that Lady X had promised him, was left penniless. His mind suddenly he- came obsessed with the golden arm and he could not sleep at night for the thought of the treasure that lay buried in the grim vault. Day and night a still small voice cried in his ear ‘Get that arm! Get that arm!’ until Jarvis eventually found himâ€" self at the entrance of the vault, which happened to be open for ren- ovation, one blowy Christmas Eve. “But there were some sinister powers at workff he continued. “for within six months Lady X had lost her right arm which was removed through cancer. “He descended the stone steps. Perspiration poured from his fore- head as with quickened! pulse he made his way to the coffin of Lady X, then with a screwdri'.'er from his pocket he unfastened and raised the lid. With satisfaction he viewed by -the light of a candle the peaceful expression on the alabaster face of Lady X. “‘She’s in heaven all right,’ he murmured. ‘Now she won’t need her arm,’ at which he raised the “But somehow in the excitement of Isa’s recovery, the reward was forgotten. The head] gardener in- stalled another man in James’s cot. tage and James’s wife and son were asked to move elsewhere. “Sad to relate, James died a month after the transfusion. The doctor said it was natural causes, his wife said it was due to the 1055 of blood, and when he lay dying he said to her: ‘You’ll be all right, mate, Lady X promised me something. She said she’d give her right arm for the girl’s recovery, and, by jove, she shall if she don’t make you com- fortable.’ Here Uncle Joe’s voice dropped al. most: to a whisper. “Many years ago a rich and beau- ti‘bul society woman, whom we will call Lady X, had a daughter, Isa, who was very fond of hunting. Un- fortunately Isa was thrown one day from her horse, and trampled upon. There was little hope for her life the doctor said unless an immediate blood transfusion could take place. Several of the servants offered them- selves and after applying the usual tests it was found that only oneâ€" an old gardenerâ€"would be of any use. “ ‘Oh, James,’ cried Lady X to the gardener, ‘You shall be richly re- warded. I would give my right arm for Isa’s recovery.’ “Yes, Gloria,” replied my uncle with all seriousness, “it is locked in the small drawer of my bureau, but don’t buy lilies at this time of the year, chrysanthemums are cheaper.” “It depends on the extent to which I benefit," laughed Gloria. We then lapsed into expectant silence and Uncle Joe continued: Uncle?” asked twent.y.year..0]d mer- cenary-minded Gloria. A Christmas Story by Prunella Gay There is something very delight. ful about sitting around a big log fire on Christmas evening, roasting chestnuts and telling stories, and this is one of the few pleasant habits which. my own family has developed. The most impressive evening I can remember occurred several years ago. There were eight of us there, the curtai..s were drawn, the lights ex- tinguished, and we all sat staring into the flames of the fire, while Uncle Joe began his story: “First of all,” he said, “I would like you to know that I do not be- lieve 1n ghasts, curses or unseen powers, but I have been warned not to relate this story, because those who have told it have always :been known to die after relating it. I; have a great desire to tell it, simply because I should- not, but if I die..." “Have you made out your will“ fi%%%%%%%%%%%%fi%%%%%%%%%%%% geawmmezwemwwmrmamp UN g In Full Settlement .1,“ THE LIBERAL, RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO “Next day the village learnt that Lawyer Jarvis had died the previous night of heart disease. What a co- incidence it was that Gardener James’s sonâ€"the very spit of his father when he was his ageâ€"had turned up in the village! Quite by chance he happened to be employed by the firm of undertakers who were attending to Lady X’s vault which was to be permanently sealed. On second thoughts, was it by chance? After all, Lady X had said to his father: ‘I would give my right arm’ “And so, by December 3ilst he had found courage to proceed with his horrible task. Melting pot and arm were ready; he lifted the gold slowly and listened. There was no sou d without. He held it over the pot, trembling, but defiant. Come what may he would put it in the pot now. He} lowered it. As he did so the window rattled violently and two thumps, heavier than' ever before shook the door, and indeed the whole house. Jarvis threw the arm from him with a cry. He tried to be calm. ‘It’s only the wind and the snow; only-the Wind and the snow, he said to himself between gasps for breath. ‘Only the wind....’ He was very feeble. Summoning- his courage he opened the door. “The mcon was clouded over, but Lawyer Jarvis could see a dark fig- ure without, the figure of a man whom he recognized, the figure of a man who was dead. .Gardener James! There was silence for a moment then the figure said slowly, but de- liberately, ‘I want my arm!”. . .. last.” Uncle Joe sighed as he finished the story and we all clapped loudly. “But when do you die, Uncle?" asked Gloria. “It must be after the,story is re- lated, Gloria,” said my Uncle, goodâ€" humouredly, “I can’t die before, now.” And I may worship, treasure giving, As did the Wise Men, coming- from afar; Where’er men are There is the Child, the Christ, the Ever-Living. By Lalia Mitchell Thornton I did not hear the angels singing In Bethlehem, that night so long . ago, And yet I know As well the message they were bringing. I did not see the Star, whose glory‘ Lighted the stable where a baby lay, _ And I today Can know as well the natal story. What matter years, when Truth is speaking? For I shall find1 Him on the Christ. mas Day As sure as they Who left their sheep, the Saviour seeking. “That Christmas evening the melt- ing pot and arm were again brought out. Jarvis was happier. He knew there was nothing to worry about. With confidence he lifted the lump of gold; with broken nerve he dropp- ed~ it again as two knocks, louder than those of the previous- night reâ€" sounded on the door. With shaking hands he withdrew the bolt. Again there was no one there; only the snow lay deeper than the night be- fore and the moon was fuller and the wind higher. Certainly, he de- cided, the knocker was loose. He would tighten it up in the morning. Thus the melting pot was again abandoned. Lawyer Jarvis decided that his nerves were bad, that he had better wait. New Year’s Eve might be a good opportunity.... “Old Lawyer Jarvis was unnerv. ed, melting- operations were suspend_ ed for the night and he crept beâ€" tween the sheets and hid his head. When morning broke, the red glow of the sun descended upon the world, and Jarvis wondered why he had been afraid. What is there in the darkness that does not exist in the light? He tried in vain to answer the question; but he did know that in the darkness one made contact with the invisible. arm to the pot two faint knocks on the door broke the awful stillness of the house. Trembling with fear, he hid the arm and went to the door. There was no one without. Only the wind howled and the snow piled up in evergrowing depth, shone white as the face in the coffin. “He hurried back to the little house in which he was temporarily living and which had once been the home of old James, the gardener. In an enormous iron saucepan and over a roaring fire he intended melting down the gold. As he raised his winding sheet and stea the heavy golden arm Anyhow, the debt was settled at CHRISTMAS and stealthin removed Dop-hne Dymon-d 87, Irene Coulson 75, Russell Allen 71, Phyllis Roberts 70, 'Ifi'essa Smith 69, Janet Sabistonv 67, Teddy Hiltz 66, Jean Martin 64, Clarence Morden 60, Russ-ell Hemâ€" ingway 57, Gordon Norton 52, Donâ€" ald Dukes 48, Charles Hemingway 48, Peter Davis 46. A. M. HILL, Principal 2nd CLASS My'rna Coulson, Donald Maynard, Jeanne Norton, Mlarjoz‘ie Latimler, Murray Roberts, Victor Blough, Joyce Coopelt, Edward Thompson, James Mowbray, Eleanor Noble, Mary Hitlz, Ronald Norton. lst CLASS Neil Stiver, Beth Brown, Mathew Rae. Dean Findlay, Murray Sum'm- erfeldt, Eva Payne, Vyla Latimer, Leonard Black, Ross Coulson‘. Donald Summerfeldt, Helen Rudâ€" kin, Shirley Iatimer, Audrey Smiflh, Gordon Minton, Elizabeth Black, Kenneth Roberts, Margaret Nash, Barbara Maynard, Gwen Brown, William Hiltz, Donald‘ Brookfield, Albert Norton, Carmen Stiver, Kenâ€" neth Allen. SR. III Blanche Hoover 83, Leone Brookâ€" field- 78, Marein Stiver '75, Harold Roberts 74, Hazel Norton 70, Nancy Rae 67, Betty Rae 65, Myrtle Lati- mer 64, Doris Coulson 63, Gloria Allen 59, Roy Minton 55, Claire Con- nell 52, Betty Ogden 52. JR. III Wray Broolafield. Betty Norton, Robert Wilton, William Parkinson. Betty Watson 86, Marjorie Rob- erts 85, Helen Penstone 70, Keith Conn-ell 69, Lenetta Rainey‘ 68, Doug Parkinson 67, Glen Kennedy 64, Rosie Benton 63, Lloyd Weatherill 60, Charles Minton 58, Estelle Browne 56, Norman Allen 55, Bar. bama. Cooper 46, Charles Coulson‘ 38, Bruce Pellatt 35. Jack Watson 94, Stuart Campbell 93, Jack Clements 85, Viola Benton 83, Eileen Stiver 82, Doreen Perkin- 81, Bernice Anderson 80, Lily Hawâ€" kins 79, Naomi Robson 78, Kenneth Stiver 77, Helen Ogden 76, Don Sti- ver 75, Myrl Smith 74, Mavis Thump- son 73, Marion McIntosh 69, Eva Lunau 67, Nina Robson 65, James Sabiston 65, Wesley Clements 64, Doug Ogdlen 63, Veldo Perkin 56. Tagsngngawwa §3§3§3§3§3§T§3§6§3§3§3§i§6 NIONVILLE SCHOOL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER SR. IV CITIES SERVICE GARAGE Your Car Deserves a Warm Garage for Winter Goodrich Tires and Tubes BERNICE FRENCH, Teacher Come in and make arrangements for Storage Space now. J. A. GREENE, Reeve GREETINGS General Repairing and Accessories Brakes relined Phone 12 SR. PRIMER To the citizens of Richmond Hill I extend thanks for their splendid co-operation in the past year, and to all I offer Greetings at this Christmastide with the sincere wish for a PRIMER Battery Rentals and Charging JR. IV VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS Headquarters for THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 1936. §t§3§§i§i§a§r§a§a§am‘ W9§W?§ §i§3§i§i§3§i§i§i§i§i§i§i§i 2%zgzgngagzgegw Baker’s Repair Shop Let us do your harness and collar repairing COLLAR FITTING A SPECIALTY Prompt service. Prices moderate Shop closed 6 pm. Mon., Wed.. Fri. Maple. Ont. Season’s Greetings Charles Graham AGENT MASSEY HARRIS Farm Implements, Machilery and Repairs Telephone Richmond Hill 39 Richmond Hill MERRY CHRISTMAS T0 EVERYBODY, and may GOOD HEALTH, HAPPI- NESS and GOOD FOR- TUNE be at your side at Christmas, and throughout the coming year. Richmond Hill Dairy ISAAC BAKER G. S. WALWIN, Prop. Telephone Maple 1063