New-York tribune., 1898-12-25
MAKING CHRISTMAS MERRY.
EVERYBODY. STIMULATED BY PROSPER
ITY FINDS IT AN EASY TASK.
THE MOST GRATEFUL HOLIDAY ~ MANY YEARS
AND CHRISTMAS CHEER REHEPIrrNG Br THE
IMPROVED RT-s1SrSS CONDITIONS.

IMPROVED RT-S1SFSS CONDITIONS.
There is every reason ia believe that to-day will
he for this country quite the merrest and most
grateful one IN years. The war thai followed 50
closely on the heels OF Christmas a year ago II now
done with. and ended with the utmost gory and
honor 10 this country. the treaty ~ peace nego-
tia'ed by the Commission that returned 70 Wash
ngton yesterday will testify. Moreover. the conn-
try IL generally admitted 10 be enjoying general
prosperity that I: has not enjoyed for years Money
IA more plentiful and poverty lees common. and the
entire people of m" country in q mood of cheerful
ness and optimism that bids fair TO drive n despair
those gloomy prophets who aver that the problems
tina. the country is facing will prove TOO difncult OF
solution.
With the gradual deterioration of the custom NJ
generally observing New Years Day IN this city
the observance Of Christmas Day seems 10 have be-
more general AZ any rate. there 's scarcelr
a church In New-York that will not celebrate the
day ny special services to-day. Elaborate musical
progra mmen have been arranged by the ehoirmas-
ters decoration committees have been hard al WORK
providing floral atmosphere for the day ana. given
fair weather there will doubtless Re a great out
pouring Of Christmas worshippers this morning
Many New-Yorkers are this year following me
ci SION not long ago introduced mere OF srenn'ns
the holidays in the country. on the other hhh''
many visitors within the gates OF the CITY Tor
the same period. Travol on the railroads mas necn
exceptionally heavy during tho last week me
suburban shoppers. OF course. nave oVer"o""" '"e
streets OF the city and despite the extremely Nasty
weather Of TUESDAY Wednesday and Thursday the
srcJktcpers did n business whose volume mas not
been exceeded in tho last few years.
The fact that Christmas fals this year on
Su 1day and that it's secular observance VIII TAX"
place on Monday gives the 'oe1s ~ the city WHAT
ever their class. welcome relief Of two con-
sAcutive days OF course. there are unfortunafes
like newspaper men and employees ~ street railway
companies ard ferries to whom this relief VII not
extend bu, they are the melancholy exceptions
and not the rule
IN THE CHURCHES.
The Rev Dr. Francis /. Patton. presidfn' OF
Princeton University. will preach the 'nris'mas
sermon ~ the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Chnrcn'
All saints Church. which was once me 'eiis""S
centre Of fa.hionab bic life In this city VIII 'niS
,,o- s IN other recent wears perform rs mission
Of distributing as much Christmas cheer as pos
sihlo among the poor people who live about m"
church The rector the Rev. Dr William ~ Dun
nell. will undertake to see that all subscriptions
received ny him are properly applied
Tho First Moravian Church. al fexington-ave
and Thirtieth-st will combine its observance 81
Christmas with Its celebration to-day Of lis l9"h
anniversary.
The Rev DR. W n. r. Fsunce viii preach the
Christmas sermon at the Fifth Avenue BAPTIST
church. and Harry Rowe Shelley will give appro-
pirate organ music before the evening service. IN
addition 10 conduc'lng speclhl PIos'"""" va
vocal music.
At ST patr.cks Roman Catholic Cathedral
solemn high mass will he sung N 40 n. m
solemn Pontihcal mass at IL n. m ana Solemn
Poniiacal vespers Al p. m. AZ ST Ieos 'hnrch
there will he masses every hour from O'CLOCK 10
II o'clock high mass being sung al the latter horr
At the Marble Collegiate Church. Fifth-ave. and
Twentv-ninth-st the Rev Dr. David j. Burrel,
pastor Richard T. Percy will conduct musical
programme arranged by himself. At the Old First
PRESBYTERIAN Church the Rev. DR. Howard Dnfheh
will preach in the morning on The CHRIST 'nlld
and the music will hc given under the direction
of William {. Carl. the orSaris Of the church. AZ
ST Paul's Chapel Trinity parish. there VIII oe'
besides the celebration of Communion and morning
prayer Christmas festival service OF the Sunday
school at 40 o'clock In the evening. for when
special music has been arranged
GERRY socIETY's CELEBRATION
At tho Society for, the Prevention Of Cruelty 20
Children Yesterday. as in former years. royal
treat had hcen prepared for the children by rolling
back the patent partitions AL the playrooms-those
for the small children for the large girls, for the
large boys and for the incorrlsioe-had b""n
thrown into immense room. taking in nearly
the entire floor Of the building and presenting
about FIVE thousand square feet Of surface, "hich
was brilliantly Illuminated and tasteiuly trimmed
with holly and mistletoe. 10 the amazement espe-
cially OF some of the smaller tots. who had never
were found two large Christmas trees-for Presi-
dent Gerry never does things by halves--the one
dazzling with electric lights and the other con-
tanning gift FOR each child distributed hy n
playful Santa Claus. who in everyday lie is
d.gniNed and wel-known citizen The children
were further entertained by a magic-lantern show
and a musical exhibition. in which some OF the
older children took part, though IN" societ' kept
strictly within the law as to Theatrical exhioi-
tions" thus avoiding the unpleasant duty Of ar
resting itself supper was served. which IN
cluded ice cream. oranges. candy and cakes. and
over II many Of The youngsters smiled az though
holding that society fare was good enough for
To-day Mr. Gerry's rroteges will have turkey
dinner at u O'Clock wherea they will also partake
great nconvenience OF the socetys corps OF con
sulting and examining physicians who are m hired & by
10 supper tonight. which Ia them Will be ban
curean oill Of fare all the year round Among me
gifts Yesterday Was doll for each Of ne s, itile
ans sr Of 'Faea 1he soety fs Hs "" "
a notable feature of ths afatr is that II wa,
'nmmtse " 's from r' their own nunber q
Misses Mary Algos Charlotte Berst and Mamie
snd cfford Graves. who issied invita- ton, TO the
editors Of the prominent ncwspap psrs % many pub
WaVnr Van Wvrk, and 20 ,he society's directors
several wekn9wn Peope ysrc Pressn and ana as ss MEL
70 ne thHrouehly at home In the "chidrens society
The expense was footed by Presden, Gerry. His
only dra whack the outsiders missing mis- annual
Christmas Eve address. though the children prob
ably assuaccd their gr.ef ny taking an additional
orange
~ THE HOSP1TALS.
Christmas Eve celebrated In the Preshy-
,erian Hospital last nigh, by musical services and
supper A choir. composed of the nurses of tho
institution and numbering about one hundred
voices sang Christmas carols in each Of the wards.
The Fingers were led hy Dr. Charles w Stevens. Of
the hospital stafr. and we're accompanied by
hired orchestr The patients enjoyed the music
greatly and many hands. emaciated by sickness
and snNering gave 10 the choir the tribute OF ap-
p6use. -
After the musical part of the programme" had
closed the singers and invited guests adjourned 20
tho dspensary. where choice supper awaited
them Among tho guests were Mr.. and Mrs. Alex
ander Maitland. Frederick Sturges the Rev. and
Mr. James r. Steele and the Rev. Dr. and Mrs.
Simpson. number Of the trustees and officers
OF the institution who were unable 10 be present
IL L.. nLlcl