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Read again Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the best known and most inspiring of all the Christmas stories. And don’t feel ashamed, if at the end, as Tiny Tim whiSpers, “God THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS Surrender yourself to the Spirit of Christmas! Let its joy thrill youâ€"let its peace steal softly across your heart! Open your ears to the magic of its message â€" open you_r eyes to_ the miracles it accomplishes! “Only faith, fancy, poetry. love. romance, can push aside that curtain and view and Dicture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it real? Ah. Virginia, in all this \y9r1d_ there ,is nofihinq as real and abiding. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist. and you know that they abound and give to your life its high- est beauty and joy. Alas, how dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith in them; no poetry, no romance. to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment excent in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. “Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. “Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen in the World. You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, not even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived can tear apart. “No Santa Claus? Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now. Virmnla, nay. ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.” Just as long and as often as Christmas comes. You will be asked, and thousands more, and little children will be answered and reassured and made happy just as was the little girl ‘who put her question to the great editor, Charles A. Dana. She sought high authority when some- one caused her faith in Childhood’s patron saint to fail, and this is what the famous editor wrote to her. It is the best answer that we know: “Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skeptical age. They do not believe, except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible to their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him. as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping thewhole of: truth and knowledge. We have published this question and answer before, but it is a question that will never grow old and it is the finest answer We know. And how often this question will be asked. Premier Hepburn has told us that men elected in the January election will serve for at least two years and probably for the duration of the war which may be five or ten years. We sincerely hope such a law never goes into effect but despite a storm of protest from all over the province there is a likelihood of the bill passingr the Legislature. Therefore the men elected Monday. January 2nd will govern this and other municipalities for the next two, three or perhaps five vears. and we urge that every effort be made to induce the best men available to stand for election. There is the likelihood that difficult days are ahead and there will be momentous problems to solve. There is still time to do some serious thinking, still time to see that the office seeks the man. At the risk of being termed old fashioned we still believe that for the best in public service the OFFICE SHOULD SEEK THE MAN and not the man seek the office. As far as the general citizenry is concerned all too little is done to see that municipal offices do seek the men. We have been associated with municipal councils in many municipalities in our capacity as a representative of the press for many years and our observation is that the best men we have known in municipal life were those who cared least about re-election. In the average mun- icipality it is comparatively easy to keep one ear to the ground and with a fair run of the luck of the game spend many years in public life. If this extends as far as county council there are certain, emoluments of office which we regret to say appear to have proven attractive to those who have tarried long on the municipal band wagon. For the best in municipal administration we should have in office men of integrity and sound business judgment who are inspired by the single motive of giving service, and not men who only glory in the limelight or regard it as a profitable side-line to their regular business. It is regrettable, but true, that in recent years there has been a slackening of interest in municipal affairs in many municipalities. Too often municipal politics has been considered as something of a game in which the one with the most winning smile or the best promises was the winner. Responsibility of municipal administration should not be conferred on those whose claim to success in the past is based on liberal use of the glad-hand'and tall promises at electionrtime. Friday, December 22nd is nomination day for Rich- mond Hill and neighbouring municipalities, and we are hopeful that nomination meetings will be largely attended by the ratepayers. Every ratepayer is a shareholder in the community and it is surprising how little interest some of these shareholders take in their own business. At the nomination meeting those charged with the responsibility of administering municipal affairs will give an account of their stewardship during the past year and those aspiring to office will present their claims to the public confidence. A 7 Estabfished 1878 AN INDEPENDENT WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY AT RIGHMOND HILL THE LIBERAL PRINTING CO., LTD. J. Eachem Smith, Manager Member Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Subscription $1.50 per year - To the United States $2.00 Covering Canada’s Beet Suburban District Advertising Rates on Application. TELEPHONE 9 PAGE TWO THURSDAY, DECEMBER let, 1939. IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS? “THE LIBERAL” NOMINATION DAY What must strike the observer, is the unselfish, patriotic impulse which has prompted this good citizen to undertake a work) of this nature, It has since been learned that a total of over 320,000 trees have been planted on this waste land, and that the new “crop” is growing with enâ€" couraging rapidity, with little or no percentage of loss. Mr. Howard has himself planted 120,000 on his hold. ings of 300 acres, every tree being placed on comparatively level land. Various species of pine are includ- ed, and some experimentation has been made with other types of trees, but not without some failures. Nut trees, for instance, have not done well. Strolling over a portion of Stisted Township, some days ago, the eyes of the editor caught sight of a piece of enterprise which has a story or prophetic vision behind it, which might well arrest the attention of every citizen who can understand the value of (building for the future. On a wide tract of level land, stood thousands of green trees â€"â€" yOung pines which gave the landscape a beautiful appearance, and which, upon enquiry, were found to be part of an extensive reforestation scheme inaugurated four years ago by Rev. Allan Leslie Howard. From inquiry, it was learn-ed that what was visâ€" ible from our vantage, was only a small portion of the undertaking. Far beyond, covering close to 650 acres, the endless rows of pines were shooting their tops heavenward, painting \the landscape an attractive green, where formerly the barren Waste presented a sight of desola- tion. Kindness is the coin of the realm at the Christmas season. A busi- ness man who shipped a carload or goods to a custom-er just to surprise him would. SOOn be out of business, but no one will ever go out of busl- ness for shipping a carload of kindâ€" ness. No one ever refuses a ship- ment and no one ever feels over- stocked with it. We do not try to measure of kindness to the capacity of our friends, we just shower them with it from the fullness of our heart. Friendship is not measured in calories. How many times throughout the year have you turn- ed over your stook of kindness? Many times we hope and business should be good at the Christmas season. A good way to celebrate Christmas is to shower everyone with kindnessâ€"Exchange. Silver and gold we may not be able to give to others but we can show our interest in what concerns them. Moreover, such giving need not be confined to Christmas time. Better still, considerateâ€"caring enâ€" riches the one who gives the while it blesses the one who needs.â€"â€"John Eldrwin Price. When Spencer Michael Free penn- ed these words he wrote something- which finds an answering chord in many hearts. We are lonely, most of us in this cold world of ours and when not putting on a front are prone to think that we don’t amount to much. But when we find out that there are those who care, we cling to them, and thank God. But we are not always on the receiving end or this “caring.” THE HUMAN TOUCH “ "I‘is the human touch in this that counts, The touch of your hand and Which means far more to the Eng heart Than shelter, and bread and wine. For shelter is gone‘when the night And bread lasts only a day, But the touch of the hand and the sound of the voice Sing on in the soul alway.” KINDNESS AND THE FESTIVE SEASON THE LIBERAL. RICHMOND HILL. ONTARIO Then, With the Spirit of Christmas in your heart. go forth and‘help make Christmas a brighter and a happier day for others! V Let Matthew tell you of the c‘oming of the Wise Men from the East, with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which they presented to the Christ Child. Open the Book Of Books and let Luke tell you about that first Christmasâ€"of the long journey to Bethlehem, of the birth in the humble manger, of the shepherds keepâ€" ing watch over their flocks. Listen to the heavenly music that was heard upon the hills, to the thrilling words of the angel, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Bow your head and give thanks for the Prince of Peace who came, saying with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good» will toward men.” A SERVICE OF VALUE bless us, every one,” you find your own eyes wet with tears. 1's o’er, Views oi Others on Timely Topics mine, faint~ wo rId iCHURCH MAKES A'NEW APPEAL ywhich cannot bring greaz returns in his time, but which future genera- tions will he privileged to enjoy. Not within a period‘ of less than twentyâ€" five years can there be hope of any market value for the new crop of timber, and' ordinarily it will be thirty-five years before much mer- chan‘dise value will be realized. Mr. Howard doesn’t expect to fully reap the benefit, but he has found satis_ faction in the expenditure of many hundreds of dollars in order to deâ€" mlonstrate to others what may be done with barren Muskoka lands, and to show an example of unselfish patriotism through which future Ifamilies in this District may be kept from want. His lecture dealt with “foundvatiQn engineering,” the parts of a struc- ture which remain hidden from sight but a branch of work that has spe- cial attraction for the hymn. INSURANCE LIFE. FIRE. ACCIDENT. SICKNESS PLATE GLASS. AUTOMOBILE BURGLARY. GUARANTEE BONDS SPECIAL RATES TO FARMERS . 'He showed another picture taken m Peel County and other places and" urged that some action be taken at once. Recently four Orillia ministers made a “Return to God" appeal to their congregations, which resulted in much increased church congregaâ€" tions, the largest church being pack- ed to the doors. In connection with the appeal laymen called at the homes of the church members and adherents, making a personal con- tact and delivering the appeal of the church. We pass this information along to the ministers of Whitby with the suggestion that the Orillia appeal might find a ready response here. Church attendance today, it must be admitted, is far from being what It should be, due largely to spiritual apathy. Nor will it improve until th‘e people realize the real worth of the church in their lives. In days like these people need to return to the church as never before for con- solation and guidanceâ€"(From the Whitby Gazette). “Here is a scientific problem call- ing for the work of botanists, fores- ters and engineers,” be said, “‘but nothing can be done with-out public support. We must conse'rVe our na- tural resources or suffer the conse- quences_.” He showed a picture of a bleak, barren-looking countryside where the results of erosion stuck out in a most noticeable may. “That picture was taken less than 25 miles from this room in King Township.” he said. “That is the sort of thing“ that is being allowed to 2;? on right here in our own coun- rv. Something must 'be done immedi- ately about the soil erosion problem in Ontario, R. F‘. Legget, assistant professor of civil engineering at the University of Toronto, told the Reyal Canadian Institute In Convocation Hall on Saturday night. He .said that soil- erosion in Ontario is as bad as- in any country in the world. _ Claims Don Er'csion as Bad as in Any C‘ountny in the World Were the spirit of enterprise and devotion to a worthy ideal, shown so conspicuously by Mr. Howard, to find‘ emulation in other parts of Muskoka, this District, n-ow clbsely denuded of its timber values, would be set again upon the pathway to- ward a prosperity which can be only a blessing for future generations. The undertaking of Allan Leslie Howard stands out as a conspicu- our example of good citizenship. It ought to be more generally copied. (From the Huntsville Forester). WARNED TO SAVE ON ALL CARS TARIFF & NONTARIFF CO'S A. G. Savage Old Post Office Richmond Hill SOIL 0F ONTARIO The Board operates in all Prov. inces of‘Canada as a selfâ€"sustaining agency of the Dominion Government and‘ without expense to the taxpay- ers. Its funds for loaning purposes are obtained from the sale of its bonds, and the costs of administraâ€" tion and reserves for losses are pro- vided for in the spread between the cost of funds borrowedt for loaning plurpOSes and the rate of interest paid by its borrowers. During- the period under review the Board has always paid its interest and other obligations on the due date. The Chairman of the Board is Dr. J. D. McLean of Ottawa, and ass»- ciated with him, in directing the Board’s affairs is R. McKenzie, Viceâ€"Chairman. The other members of the Board are Dr. W. C. Clark, Deputy Minister of Finance and1 Notary Boucher of Pierreville, P.Q. The Head Office of the Board: is at Ottawa and there is one Branch Office of the organization in each Province of Canada. Notwithstanding the difficult con- ditions that farmers have experi- enced in the last few years, the re- payment record of borrowers indi- cates that Canadian farmers, with few exceptions, respect their mortâ€" gage obligations to the extent that economic conditions will permit. In the last fiscal year, the Board collected from borrowers a total of $2,970,000 as repayment of principal and interest as compared with an amount of 82,500,000 collected in the previous fiscal year. In the ten-year period under re- view, of the 838,000,000 loaned there was repaid by borrowers $4,800,000 and at the end of that period, only $337,000: of interest and $637,000 01' principal was in arrears for a long. er period than six months. In 1929 the Board was appointed by the Federal Government to ad- minister the Canadian Farm Loan Act which provided for the estabâ€" lishment of a scheme of long term loans to the farmers of Canada. Leaning operations were begun in the spring of 1929 and since that time there had been loaned as at March 31, 1939, approximately $38,- 000,000. During the last few years the Board has been loaning at the rate of about $5,000,000 per year. Loans may be granted by the Board to ‘bona fide farmers upon the se- curity of mortgages taken on farm lands owned, operated and occupied by the borrower. Such loans are repayable over a term of up to 25 years on an amortized. plan of re- payment. The rate of interest charged is 5% per annum. The loaning policy of the Board' is to grant loans in amounts mea- sured‘ by the ability of the individual borrower to repay the same from the operation of his farm after making provision for living and1 operating expenses and‘ for taxes. The annual report of the Canad- ian Farm Loan Beard for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1939, contains a review of the activities of the Board covering its initial ten years of operation. FARM LOAN BOARD REVIEWS ACTIVITIES Cone 6=o==lo=m 0:0] )llects $470,000 more from borrow. ez's than in previous fiscal yearâ€"- total repayment $2,970,000. Pre-war Prices on Winter Clothes Phone 49J Let us take care of your Cleaning and Pressing Requirements. Our driver Will call or you may take advantage of our low cash and carry prices. A RICHMOND TAILORS A large stock on hand and our extensive orders for high quality materials enables us to offer to the people of York County Winter Clothing at definitely Pre-War Prices. We have choicest materials to choose from and we are offering them to you at prices which will challenge comparison. Suits, Winter Overcoats, and everything in the clothing line hand tailored to your measure at prices no more than you pay for ready-made. Our trade mark is your guarantee of expert workmanship. SEE US TODAY â€" DON’T DELAY GEO J. A. Greene THURSDAY, DECEMBER let, 1939. 0:0 0:0 JONES 'CbX’IZ‘Eo. WWW. SAND â€" GRAVEL WM. MCDONALD Telephone 6‘2 Thornhill From Maple Grave] Pit GENERAL CARTAGE 0. "NW mo BALING Hay & Straw g Monmond Hill Telephone 87 i WNW ‘60 mm 0R scum 0R FAST 0K WEST-~YOU'LL HND OUR LUMBER 15 L1_ THE BEST - rvvvvvvvvvvvv Telephone 188 1"“ INSURANCE “’39 Policies isaued through this office covering Farm Property â€"Private Dwellings and their contentsâ€"Automobile â€" Plate Glassâ€"Residence Burglary, etc. Claims Settled Promptly Having taken over Moore Bros. baling business I am pre~ pared to bale hay and straw on short notice. Price rea- sonable. Latest facility for moving outfit. SHEPPARD & GILL LUMBER CO. TINSMITHING FURNACES - PLUMBING HEATING Septic Tanks Installed Pumps Barn & Stable Equipment 74 Yonge btreet ANTHRACITE “The Coal That Satisfies” General Insurance Richmond Hill Telephone Successor to Moore Bros. PERCY COBER Phone Stouffville 7313 Gormley RE. 1 J. R. HERRINGTON R. H. KANE Richmond Hill RICHMOND HfLL 0:0) 0=0g0=8 :ono