The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-30

Following out the custom OF their
Christian forefathers in Japan, the MEN,
bsrs Of the Seattle japanese Y NJ. c. "A.
celebrated the birth of the Savior in
betting manner at the association rooms,
AIS jefferson street, Monday night n the
presence OF a large number Of members
and invited guests ami syampath.ZerS-
The services were extremely unique and
interesting from more standpoints than one
and reflected much credit on the little men
whe arranged the programme. The imi-
tatiye powers of this progressive race OF
people We're never more apparent than
during the rendition of the programme
that had been arranged Young boys re-
cited Engii-h poems and sang English
songs, and even essayed 10 sing a quar-
tette. There were also addresses Of well
GENE, Scriptural reading and songs in
Japanese, and performance, by a lady
recently arrived. on the japanese harp.
A paper bag tllsd with apples, cakes.
candies and nuts was given TO every per-
son in the hall, and a number of trlnkets
distributed from Christmas tree.
The distribution, as practiced by the
japanese, furnished great fun for the
crowd, the happiest of all being the do
nors. The system is to give out envel-
opes, in which are little slips OF paper,
some containing numbers and Japanese
words. Santa Claus reads out numbers
from the platform and those correspond
ing in the audience are read out by
native, a gift symbolic of the quotation
being presented 10 the holder OF the
number.
The assembly hall in the basement OF
the building was prettiiy decorated with
evergreen, Japanese and American fiags
and Scriptural quotations in evergreen
and ivy. On little platform in one end
of the hall was placed two trees, one a
small Christmas tree and the other an
apple tree. This tree contained the gifts
and was trimmed with cotton to represent
snow. ]. Yamaguchi, one OF the bright
est young men In the japanese colony,
performed the duties of chairman in
manner that would have reflected credit
on many a young American student He
first made q few remarks in Japanese to
his fellow members, or brothers, as he
called them and then welcomed the guests
in a short but appropriate address. In
announcing the numbers on the pro-
gramme he would first speak to the Jap
anese present and then explain what he
had said in English. The literary portion
OF the programme was excellent. consider
ing that many OF the participants have
not been in the country but few months.
The chairman announced, towards the
end of the programme, with much apomb.
that Mrs. Ssto, who arrived from Japan
on the last steamer, would favor the audi
ence with a selection on the japanese
harp. she being attired in native cos
tune. The harp q long, queer looking
instrument, was placed on the floor and
the lady introduced. She sat down on
the stage much in the fashion OF a Turk,
and threw few chords out before launch
ing forth on solo. Mrs. Sato may have
been very fine musician In Japan. but
tine music Monday night, with all respect 10
Mrs. Sato. sounded as II cat were wake
ing over the strings of a pianoforte.
However, her efforts pleased her country
men.
This association ia not made up or any
one denomination. but is an independent
Y VI c. A society. Mr.. and Mrs. Ward.
prominent members Of the Baptist church,
have been active workers and are very
much thought of by the members OF the
association. Mrs. Ward made a few re-
marks in which she compl mented the
boys for their faithfulness The exercises
were brought TO a close At 1879, and even
at that late hour the members were 10th
10 leave.