West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1896-03-05

the Chinese, and not sin2ly MS the
Americas boy does. All night long
on Christmas Eve the Ere crackers
were popping. and they continued
daring all the next day. There
were services IN all the churches
aud Sunday Schools similar to such
services in the United States on
Christmas Day. The native
churches had their Christmas trees.
the different American and Eu-
ropean churches their trees and APP
propriate ceremonies. The Chinese
and Japanese Christian churches,
in imitation OF their white brothers,
also had Christmas trees AID devo-
tional services.
| attended the japanese NJ. T..
Church Christmas tree. The hall
In which the services were conduct
cd was beautifully decorated with
large fern tree in one corner, orna-
mented with candles and tinsel
paper, and loaded with pretty pres
ents. The entertainment began by
singing by the Japanese. The
music was familiar, but the words
were not. Then K. Kahasaki, one
of the japanese workers, read
chapter from the Bible in his own
language. This was followed by
prayer from S. Nishi, an opening
address by a. Iwamoto, a hymn,
Eyes, Jesus Loves Me-" by seven
Japanese Toys; this followed by
Rotations in Japanese and English
by several little boys. IL. Nakano,
a boy not over twelve or fourteen
years of age, delivered an address
In English to the American present.
which might have done credit to
one much more advanced in years.
After the benedictor came the
presentation of gifts. This was
novel, amusing and expensive to u
congregation Us small and poor Us
the japanese, as in addition to the
special gifts on the Christmas tree
for individual friends, they pro.
vlded gifts for visitors and all, and
the house was we'll crowded with
visitors. The pastor of the church,
Rev. Ii. Kihara, delivered an ad-
dress to his people in japanese, and
he was followed by Rev. IL. w.
Peck, of the Methodist church.
Then four young japanese went
through the audience and distribu-
ted little rolls of paper about the
size of pipe-stem. When unrolled
each paper was found to have
number on it, there being q CORES.
ponding number on each package
brought for distribution. Some of
the presents were quite costly and
others cheap. The calling off of
numbers of packages and dlstribu-
ton Of presents caused quite q little
fiutter of excitement, as there was
considerable incohgruity in the di
rections they went, many grown
men drawing tin horns and sewing
baskets, while some ladies received
cavalry spurs. Ny prize was set
of doll dishes, while Mrs. jenkins,
from New York, who was OIL her
way on a missionary tour to Japan,
drew a boys sword. | asked her if
she proposed to take Japan with
the sword in the way Muhomet es.
tablished his faith.
Hawaii IS truly a missionary coun.
try. The influence Of the mission
airy is felt on the streets, ia the
stores and offices. As consequence
Christmas is holiday almost as
sacredly kept as the Sabbath, and
l have never been in any land
where tho Sabbath was so sacredIy
observed. Honolulu has saloons,
but there is little visible drunken.
ness. | don't remember having
seen any man under the influence
OF liquor, except q few sailors. The
enemies Of the present government
contomptuouslY call it the "mis.
aouary government" because most
Of the officials aud heads Of depart
ments are the sons Of missionaries.
During the latter part Of Christ
mas week rumor got abroad that
President Dole was going to begin
the new year by granting free
and full pardon 10 all the remain.
ing political prisoners. He had
| pardonod seven on Thanksgiving