davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
AT ST. IGNATIUS.
Magnificent Music SoiemnIy Rem
dered by a Male Choir.


In accordance with the usual custom of
the Fathers of the Society of Jesus the
Christmas services at ST. Ignatius Church
were yesterday celebrated with a degree
of splendor seldom witnessed in this city.
Since Rev. Edward Allen. S. j.. has been
president of the order in this city the
music has been under his charge. and
having large number of the old students
of st. Ignatius College to fall back upon,
he has organized male choir.
esterday morning at 5 o'clock the FIRST
mass was celebrated. The morning was
dark and cold. yet every seat in the vast
church was filed. The sudden transition
from the outer darkness to the light and
warmth of the interior was wonderful.
Every light all over the church was ablaze.
On the affairs hundreds of tapers shone
among the flowers. fancy lamps and
colored globes added to the brillancy of
the scene. Then came the deep tone of
the bell announcing the commencement of
the mass.
plices and red soutanes, followed By the
officiating priests. three in number. A SOL
emn hush fell upon the vast congregation.
Then came a burst OF melody from the
choir. where eighty members of the male
| choir sang the ''Kyrie." from Fauconier's
mass. To the volume of the mems voices
was added the swelling n otss of the grand
organ and the pleasing music Of Kpelps
symphony orchestra of fifty pieces. Eau
conier's mass was sung in its entirety.
Very Rev. II. Imoda. S. j., was the cele-
brant of the mass. Rev. Father Testa S. j..
| deacon. and Rev. Mr.. Ford, S. j., SUBJ
deacon.
Masses then continued without inter-
mission through the morning until half
q
was again celebrated by Father Imoda.
Rev. Father jacques, S. j., was deacon,
and Rev. George P. Butler, S. D.. sub
deacon.
The same choir and music rendered
Gounod's "Messe Solennelle" at this mass.
The attendance was very large, but did
not exceed that of the early morning mass.
The main altar was decorated but little
A few punches of Christmas berries were
disposed among the candelabra. On St
Joseph's altar very handsome representa-
| tion OF the Nativity was erected. The
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

leaped out from Gods mind and asserted
itself as one OF the grand facts of his gov
eminent and crystallized into a solid and
substantial fact in the gift of this only
begotten and we'll beloved son. This was
Gods practical benevolence to the world,
in which he gave US life for death. happi-
ess for misery, hope for despair and
heav en- for hell. In return for all this we
should show our love for God by acting
lovingly toward our fellow-men and put
in practice the pure religion watch consists
in visiting those in Sffiiction and keeping
ourselves by virtue of pure lives and
chaste conversation unspotted from the
world.
The Lords example also teaches Us IN
selfshness in its highest form. He did
not stop to consider the pains and anguish
that lay before them, nor did he walt un-
til In fruitless effort to make ourselves
better we sank into hell. Christ died for
Us. In this is the love of God manifested,
magnifed and intensified. While we
were ungodly, unloving and devoted to
sin and death he laid our help upon one
who was mighty to save"
The unselfsh rejoicing Of the angels at
Christ's birth was next spoken of at length
and In conclusion Mr.. Walk said:
Every thing that mars the otherwise
beautiful fabric of man should be banished
forever and buried so deep that no vern al
sun can ever bring it to life again. Let
the days lesson Of benevolence, love and
| unseiishness sink deep into our Ihearts
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

did not permit drop of rain to fall
throughout the livelong day. A number of
believers in Mr.. Pague, who had hard
heartedly foretold showers" for our es-
pecial locality, burdened themselves with
umbrellas, but they were called on 60 serve
the purpose of walBing-sticks only.
Nearly every house in the city had it's
windows hung with wreaths of holly and
evergreen, even the poorest residences dis
playing some hint of Christmas verdure,
while the residences of some of our
weather. citizens were rem arkable for the
artistic skill which was shown in the az
rangement of their decorations.
Despite the large number of Chris tmas
trees which Santa Claus has been obliged
TO attend TO of late. he had nOts become
tired enough to neglect his old-time task of
filing stockings. and ever so many of San
Francisco's little ones found their small
hose altogether too small to contain the
varied treasures OF which the good saint
thought them deserving.
Notwithstanding the unpleasant damp
ness underfoot the streets were crowded
with people all day long. Every little
girl in the city insisted upon taking her
new doll out TO be admired by the general
public, and if she bad a new doll-carriage
as well as a new doll her Joy and pride
were almost I'm bounded.
The many Steep green-clad hills in the
more retired portions of the town were
fairly alive with boys trying the m erits of
their new coasters" from which they
gain as much satisfaction as do the East
ern youths from their steel-shod sleds
which carry them over snow and ice, and
bicycles and velociDedes wefe being Ieck-
lessly 'broken in" all over the city.
The various sports and entertainments
of the day were all we'll attended. and Of
Christmas dinners. both private and pub
lie. there was no end.
Every Institution in the city spread a
feast of good things before those sheltered
underneath its roof, and the spirit of
goodwill to men" seemed co influence all
from the highest to the lowest.
The only really disastrous event of the
day was the great fire in the block
Bounded by Montgomery, Clay. Sansome
and Commercial streets. The $500, 900 loss
which resulted therefrom is a serious one.
especially at this time, and the fact that a
large number of men will be thrown ont
of employment at least temporarily will
cast deep shadow on their otherwise
Upright Christmas memories.
A large number of the churches held
special Christmas services, which were.
without exception, well attended. The
decorations of the sacred edifices were ex-
ceedingly beautiful and artistic. and
attracted much admiring comment. and the
musical selections rendered were notice.
able for their Appropriateness and excel
lent rendition
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
THE CROKER HOME.
Old People Who Thoroughly En-
loved Thier Christmas Cheer.

Christmas was kept in good old
fashioned style at the Croker Old Peo-
pies Home yesterday.
All the old ladies and gentlemen were
dressed in their Sunday best in honor of
the festive season, and a handsomer, more
elegant set of old people it would have
been impossible to find. There was rus
tie OF silks and satins as the ladies filed
into the handsome diEing-rooms at 8
O'Clock last afternoon. The gentlemen, in
irreproachable ties aud beaming with
polteness and good will. drew out the
ladies' chairs and made polite and gracious
remarks that added immensely to the uni
yersal hilarity.
AS for the dinner itself, it was beyond
reproach. The turkey and Gran berry,
sauce, the plum-pudding and minneapolis,
were all very much in evidence. These
standard dishes were, moreover. fanked
by others of a lighter and more airy
afture, TO which delicate appetites would,
Itsnder homage, when the more solid
vlatlds began to flag upon them.
Tine hundred and eighteen old people
sat down to the Christmas dinner at the
Croc ker Old Peoples Home last after
noon, and anyone who had the pleasure of
beholding the gaiety and mirth that pre-
vailed. would have felt justified in making
the statement that not dinner in San
Francisco was more enjoyed.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

and their mothers. They were passed be
tween two policemen and two stalwari
privates of the Salvation Army, who were
satisfied on seeing an invitation with each
woman and her children. The stream
moved down the steps to the Lifeboal
basement and between two doorkeepers,
whose duty it was 10 take up invitations
and deposit them In a big basket. When
the hall was filled temporary halt was
made until 800 happy folk had dined TO
their hearts content. Still. though the
crowd was relieved in groups of half a
thousand at time. there was no apparent
diminution when evening shadows fell
upon the waiting throng.
Inside all was hustle and excitement
The big hall was transformed for the &C.
casion. All around the whitened walls
were scriptural notices wreatbed in fes-
toons of evergreens. The pillars were
decora ted with evergreen trees from whic h
gay-cOlored ribbons were hung 30 brighten
the greenery. Long rows of tables
stretched across the hall. They were
decorated with lunches of red berries and
white chrysanthemums and covered with
sheets of white paper which were replaced
after every meal and served admirably for
linen table-cloths. But something more
substantial than decorations were spread
out for the hungry.
The bill of fare was all that might be
expected in any well regulated home,
being composed of turkey, Gran berry
sauce, stuffing, meat stews. roast beef and
mutton, celery, lettuce, radishes, vege-
tables in variety. fruits, nuts, pies, plum
pudding. tea ana coffee. The turkey was
neaped on each plate with stuffing and
sauce. Beside IL was plate of pie and a
plate of pudding. while meat dishes, bread,
vegetables and fruit were strewn along in
the center. There were 800 plates to be
filled at every meal. and, to satisfy all,
seventy persons were kept busy.
The people who dined were strange "
mixed. They represented many countries
and in ages from the cradle to the allotted
three score and ten. Not few were neatly
dressed and betrayed signs of genteel
breeding. One very old lady, with re-
fined face and with hair white as the snow,
took the white meat of her turkey and
rolled it up carefully in a handkerchief.
What do you do that for ?" asked Sal
walton lady who stood by.
my husband is sick and / want to give
him this delicacy." said the old woman.
II can do without ii, but he has nothing"
Her plate was quickly reflled and she
burst into tears at the table.
Behind the scenes big turkeys were
slaughtered by VIII olesale processes, sauces
and stuffng were served out of cisterp..
and a ro0mful of bread was chopped into
slices.
The feasting began at II A. M. and con-
tinued until everything in the larder was
exhausted. which was well on in the night,
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

and Miss Elsie Emmal, who drilled the
children IN their several parts with excep-
tionai care and thoroughpess.
The following is the programme pre-
sented. together with the names of those
taking part therein:
Song. "Caro Sweetly Carol" class. reci,a-
lion, christmas Blessings" Milo ThOmson /.
song. "Rock-a bye" Eliot Meyer Annie BIrge
Ethe King. Helen Burton. Jennie st. Clair.
Hazel Burton; recitation, "Long Ago on
Christmas" Pearl Gonzales; song AWAY In a
Manger," Leona Guyatt, Annie Richardson
Marian PaItie, Ethel Anderson, Stella Strof,
1ord, Katie Anderson. Irene Anderson; recita-
ton, "Old OakrD Bucket" Jack HiIiman:
song, 'Hark. the Joyful Tidings," class; reel,
Iatlon, "An Nations Shall Serve Him." GLADYS
seal, Mabel Martin, Stella Hughes. Pearl Con
Zaies, Dora Mullins, Emma Priest, Ethel
Lucas, Lauretta Hall. Mabel Burge, Mamie
Dean; recitation. Pop Corn" Annie Burge:
song, Crowns of Holly" Mary HAYS,
Alice Anderson. Sadie Kinney. Emma
Priest; song, Goodnight Bells" class:
Caniata. The Land of Nod ~ Miss Susie Ward
leader--king. John Rogers; Sand Man, Frank
nantre'ght; Jack o. Dreams, Arthur Perry;
Dream Goblin, Edgar Burton. dream snrtttsE
Rose Cramer. Emma Barthodi Elsie Cramer.
Lizzie Mullins, Lottie Nelson. Rose Burwell:
six dreams-Dream Princess. Tesste Brewing:
Mother Goose, Sadie Younglove; MY Ladv
Fortune. Bertha Baker; Queen OF the Dol
lies, Clara Berringer; Goblin Can-and- Nj usi
Arthur Burton; Santa Claus, Harry Benn EFT
Little Sleepers-Alce Burton. Willie Rurpe
Jennie ST. Clair. Eliot Never. J. J. Morris
musical director; Leon Irenee Stanton organ,
list; Miss Carrie Abbott, Sunday-school pianist
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

easy matter 10 get whatever was wanted
| Nearly 100 army members and others tried
| hard to keep up With the rush and satisfy
their visitors. To the right on entering
was clothing-store for men. and opposite
half dozen army lassies supplied women
and children with clothes of all descrip-
tions. Ushers would escort the crowd to
whatever department the card Indica ted.
but at one point the children diverged to
visit Santa Claus. Two army officers as
sisted in dispensing toys to the boys, while
Major Keppel worked with a full priv te
giving dolls and other gifts to girls.
The children were then marched off to
meet their parents. In the meantime
clothing or grocery had been secured by
the latter. and all walked out well pleased.
The young woman who examined
tickets was impressed by whispered
answers that several poor persons felt
ashamed of their position. Sympathy
and cheering words dispelled whatever
fear there might be. however. And this
was noticed In one instance where re-
spectable-looking woman was concerned.
She had been given a basket Of groceries
worth nearly SO. Evidently her emotions
were very confusing for she stood like
one amazed and hardly able to understand
such treatment.
Now you come with me and I'll give
you bread and meat"
Salvation sisters voice brought the
woman to her senses. and the couple
marched OFT to another room where piles
OF bread and meat were ready to be given
away.
Then two children came with a card
bearing the announcement of eleven
children In the family. They were given
two large baskets of provisions and a
caution to tell the butcher and breadman
there were eleven mouths to feed at home,
that meant double rations. and double
ratloDs would keep the family from hunger
for three days at least. Here is q list of
articles in a BASKET: One pound tea, 1
pound coffee, 2 pounds sugar. 2 pounds
rice, pounds sage, pounds beans, .
pounds soap. pounds macaToDi, pound
candles, cans fruit, 1 jar mustard, 1 roll
butter, bread. nuts, apples. oranges. roast
of beef or mutton and l pie. Over 500
baskets were taken to homes by Salvation
people were ashamed to apply at head
quarters.
AT least 700 baskets were distributed
in the basement on Grant avenue yester-
day. Besides these opportune presents
barrels of candy were given in paper
packages to the children. with thousands
Of doughnuts. Books were plentiful but
not popular. Several hundred pairs of
shoes for children from four to twelve
years of age were distributed.
The day began at A. NJ. when Captain
McFee's whistle called The SaIvatioGists to
prayer. and it ended only late at night.
The hall will be kept open all the week so
that the clothing may be distributed.
The Bohemian Clubmen saw what was
going on from their windows and sent
Major Keppel note telling him the club
would give q wagon-load of clothing for
the poor to-day.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
FOOD AND CLOTHING.
A Bounteous Distribution of Christ.
mas Presents.


Hoary Santa Claus in Salvation Army
uniform dispensed his blessings to very
big troop Of little children at 30 Grant
avenue; and for that matter. quite as good
people as he made glad the hearts of few
tho ussnd older persons. SO, many were
happy on leaving the hospitable place.
As at the "Lifeboat," a great crowd
gathered about the entrance. Men,
women and children walked from Kearny
and Sacramento streets with blue tickets,
which admitted them to the spacious base
ment and then gave assurance of bounte-
Gus presents.
The steps leading down to the doors
were divided by a railing, which permitted
continuous stream TO enter and another
to depart without confusion. Inside the
door passageway was fenced in, by
which the crowd advanced in good order
30 where articles were distributed. Before
passing through, however, their tickets
were taken up and supply cards given
them. The card contained the name, ad-
dress and number of children OF each
applicant on top. and below were lines
with the articles desired, as follows
Wood and coal" vegetables" bakery"
grocery" Clothing" The applicant
selected any ono of these and the rest
were crossed out.
Once in possession Of card 1t was an
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26

statues comprising it were imported from
Munich and the scenic work is from the
brus of Moretti.
The Blessed Virgins altar was mass of
white blossoms. chrysanthemums, hya-
cinths and lilies of the valley predomi-
mating. or the side affairs Mrs. A. Gately
decorated the Sacred Heart and st. Alloy
sius' affairs, white flowers predominating.
The altar of St. Francis Xavier had been
decorated by Mrs. Andrew Welsh and was
mass of rare white Towering exotics and
ferns.
The evening services drew a large con-
gregatlon to the church. The musicians
were the same as in the morning, and
again richness was lent to the harmonies
and brilliancy of tone to the sOmberness Of
the male voices by the efforts of the or
chestra.
Novello's familiar ''Adeste Fideles" WAS
beautifully interpreted The "Magnficat"
was by Rossi. the 20 Cor Amoris" BY Riga.
the 'Tantum Ergo" by Thunder. Father
lmOda was the celebrant at vespers.
c. Zoberier was the orgarist, Messrs.
Jones and Morrisey the tenor soloists. and
Messrs. Wood. Mills and Thornton the
bass sololsts at the various services.
Yesterdays music will be repeated at
the mass and vespers on New Years day.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
"OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT"
The Rector of Trinity Teaches the
Lessons of the Seasons.

LESSONS OF the seasons.
Rev. George E. Walk. rector of Trinity
Church. was pleasantly surprised yester-
day morning by the gift of an elegant silk
stole heavily broidered in a special de-
sign with gold and silver and set with
beautiful amethysts.
The following note accompanied the
beautiful and costly present:
The members of st. Mary's Guild send Christ
mas greetings TO their rector. May the accom-.
panying gift speak To him of affectionate re-
and express the wish for happiness that shall
know no shadow as the years increase.
MARY Nj. GREER, Secretary.
The subject of Mr.. Walks special Christ
mas sermon delivered before large con-
gregation. was "Our Chriftmas Gift" and
the text was John iii 16, and Luke ii. IA.
After speaking of the season and the
many ways in which it is and should be
celebrated. the rector stated, in sub
stance: AT such a time IS this pride
covetousness and bigotry should give place
to humility, liberality and love.
God collects in his horn of plenty the
flowers and dews of spring. the brightness
and life of summer. the ripeDipg harvests
and sober glory of autumn ana the treas.
uTes OF winter and pours them into Oul
laps at Christmas. Let US thank God fol
all the precious, hallowed remembrance
of this glorious season. Let US weave oul
bays of laurel and hang them on the brow
of charity, and bring chapets of ivy anC
holly-em blems of immortality-and lay
them on the:tombs OF our dead hopes anc
bitter disappointments, hoping that from
the ashes OF our dead past shall spring the
| fruit Of higher, obler, truer lives.
The lessons which God would teach US
all this day are the lessons Of benevolence
! love and unselfshness.
BenevOleuce means TO will or wish well
and includes in its meaning the disposition
! to DO good. the love of mankind. Benevo-
lence is an attribute of God-that moral
| attitude which delights in the happiness
of intelligent beings. 1t Is the nature oil
God to love man. 1t was grand exhibit
ton Of thus love to make such a being as
| man. The faculties with which he has
endowed man stand as perpetual monu.
ment of his love.
Benevolence must and will have room
| for expansion and development, hence the
reiuvination and salvation Of the world
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
THE AID SOCIETY.
A Feast Which the Children Will
Long Remember.

The seventy-fve children at the home of
the Boys and Girls Aid Society, on the
corner of Baker and Grove streets, were
treated to a Christmas dinner yesterday
such as will never be forgotten by them.
Donations of provisions came in from all
sides and in such quantities that their
consumption will necessitate the serving
of Christmas menu for some days TO
come.
In the morning the children were given
quantities of candy, but the dainty bon
bons even to girls were held of little ac-
count in expectation of what was to come
and the little packages were safely hidden
in some convenient place until after the
midday feast was over.
Mr.. James c. Kemp, who yearly con-
ducts the culinary department besides act
ing as master Of ceremonies on DAYS of
feasting. has been busily engaged for the
past few days in preparing for the grand
event. and to him is due the executive part
OF the success which crowned the days
festivities.
The children marched into the large
! diniDg-room shortly after IL o'clock and
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
:oys upon the inmates of the Children's


Hospital.
Some of the little ones who had come
from poor bqualid homes had never
owned a toy In their lives before and did
n OF know how to treat these treasures of
childhood. JOjo, dark-eved little Italian.
limb from limb in the firm belief that DR..
Sherman would Law them on the operating
table and put them together again with
out any difficulty.
Some of the children were too sick to do
more than gaze IN beatific Joy at their
Noah's arks aud blocks. their horses and
dolls. Among the latter was FRANKIE ="
child whose three years of life had been
one long martyrdom of pain and neglect
the sins of her parents visited upon her
innocent baby head.
The yellOw-paper schedule hanging by
the chlid's cot bore no name but that of
frankie-surname unknown" The same
concise concise authority added. Disease. taber-
culoSis; parentage, deserted orphan"
Three months ago the suffering little
girl. ill-treated from her birth. was de-
serted by an abandoned mother in hotel!
She was taken Immediately to the Chill
dren's Hospital and since then mas been
cared for tenderly and lovingly. Even
her name was given her there.
The care came too late, however, to save
her fragile life. frankie was dying yes
terday as she smiled over the beautiful
things Santa Claus had sent her.
The present she thought the most beau
tlful of all was a little American flag
tranSie's feeble arms. swathed to the fu-
ger tips in COTTONWOOD, were not strong
enough to wave it, but all day when the
gentle nurses or the friendly lady visitors
bent over her cot the child's little hands
held out her flag. and as it waved before
her eyes Frankie's anemic little face
lighted up with a jov that was unearthly.
All! Santa Claus knew his business yes
terday when he came down the chimney
into the Cbildren's Hospital.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-26
were soon seated bout the neatly arranged

were soon seated a. bout the neatly arranged
tables, upon which they gazed with per-
ceptible look of establishment mingled with
smiles of pleasure. Surely they had rea-
son for such Indicative grlmaces. as before
them were masses of turkey heaped upon
plates, almost buried beneath an assert
ment Of cranberry sauce, stuffing, vegeta-
bles and other delicacies of an equally
toothsome nature. while along the center
was an array of pumpkin and mlnce pies.
CAKES and nuts.
That the younsters did justice to the re-
past goes without saying, and the manner
in which they called and even recalled
for extra plates" was astonishing to say
the least, and moreover evidenced the fact
that the society had no dyspeptlcs on their
hands.
The Christmas tree distribution and en-
terrain ment will take place at the home
Thursday evening, and Judging from the
manner in which contributions OF toys are
coming in The children will obtain good
share of playthings with which 10 vile
away the hours of leisure during the day.