Every effort should be made to have these festivities joyous.  Especially should the wife subdue her emotion if the review of the years since her bona fide wedding day have seen the loss of beloved children.  She must stifle her sad recollections for the sake of her guests.

The members of the bridal party, the more honored guests at the first wedding, the clergyman who officiated, are sought as welcome guests at the anniversary.  The bride that was wears something she wore on the first occasion.  If the wedding dress and the bridegroom’s suit have been preserved they are worn—­and wonderfully quaint they often look, so great the change in fashion.

CHRISTENING CEREMONIES.

“Our birth is nothing but our death begun, as tapers waste the moment they take fire.” 
                                 —­Young.

The arrival of the stork with the new baby is an event of vast family interest, especially if it is the first visit of the bird to the domicile.  In America it is not customary to announce a birth in the newspapers, as is often done in England, especially among the nobility.  The personal friends of the parents receive the visiting card of both, or of the mother only, to which is attached a small card bearing the baby’s full name and the date of his arrival.  These are enclosed in an envelope, this again in an outer one, and mailed.

It is proper for those thus notified to call at an early date to inquire as to the well-being of mother and babe.  As it is not customary for the mother to receive any but a very few of her nearest relatives under at least three weeks, callers should not be expected to see her, but are to leave cards.  A note of congratulation is often sent instead of calling, and offers to the ingenious and witty an excellent chance for the display of delicate pleasantry.  Thus it is entirely proper to address the note to the baby, and congratulate him on having chosen such charming parents, and such a lovely home.  Flowers are not infrequently sent to the mother, and little gifts—­soft booties, little gold pins for sleeve and neck, little crocheted or knitted sacks, or dainty bibs—­to the baby.

[748 Mothers’ remedies]

The Ceremony.—­The baby is usually christened when it is six or eight weeks old.  Clergymen prefer this should be done at the church, and generally arrange to perform several baptisms at the same time—­Children’s Day being a favorite time.  Otherwise, the christening usually takes place after the congregation is dismissed at the conclusion of a service.  Only those interested and a few specially invited friends remain for it.  There is no objection, however, to having a child christened at home, when the affair is made one of more festivity.

Most young married people prefer to have the clergyman who married them christen their first baby, when practicable.