Is {St Nicholas} not the boys’ and girls’ own Saint, the especial friend of young Americans?… And what is more, isn’t he the kindest, best, and jolliest old dear that ever was known?… He has attended so many heart-warmings in his long, long day that he glows without knowing it, and, coming as he does, at a holy time, casts a light upon the children’s faces that lasts from year to year…. Never to dim this light, young friends, by word or token, to make it even brighter, when we can, in good, pleasant helpful ways, and to clear away clouds that sometimes shut it out, is our aim and prayer.

Mary Mapes Dodge, Editor of the original “St. Nicholas Magazine”

They should themselves know of the wonderful capacities to enter upon the world as a great inheritance which exist in every human being. All its beauty and all its thought are open to everyone. Everyone may take service for the world’s use, everyone may climb those delectable mountains from whence he gets the vision of the City of God.

Charlotte Mason, from Philosophy of Education, p. 131