The San Francisco call., 1898-12-26
PRESIDENT ATTENDS CHURCH
AND HEARS AN INTERESTING
 SERMON BY DIR. BRISTOL.
In Cuba the Soldier Boys Made the Most of the Holiday and Dined
 on Turkeys at Seven Dollars Each.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Christmas was observed very quietly in Wash ington. The weather was cool and bracing. The President and Mrs. Me Kinley have several friends from Ohio stopping at the White House and with them, and half dozen others formerly living in their native State, the Christ mas dinner was enjoyed. The President and Mrs. Mckinley took advantage of the fine weather and went out for a drive during the afternoon. The Pres ident, accompanied by MT. James Bar Der, Mrs. McKinley's nephew, attended divine service at the Metropolitan Church at Il o'clock and listened to a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Bristol, who in the course of his talk said:
 This nation has presented to an op- pressed people the unspeakable gift of freedom; yes, and to the world it has given a longer liberty. Gods Christmas gift of freedom has come to the suf- fering and wronged through the agency of a nation that was obedient to the heavenly call, and had caught the spirit of liberty and helpfulness sent forth from angelic lips-'Good will toward men, It was not hatred or ill., will toward any nation that caused this country to unsheath the sword of war. It was good will toward the suffering and the oppressed that inspired us to battle and victory.
 Good will has been established in our own land from North to South and from East to West The angels of our better nature have been reconciling enemies. obiterating the wounds and scars of war and strife and making the stars of the old flag of freedom to shine with new luster, while every strife has been cleansed from every stain. North and South together sing at this Christ mas day, as they have not sung since we were a nation, the blessed song of peace and good will.'
 HAVANA, Dec. 25-Christmas at Camp Quemados was as lively as the troops could make it with slender ma terials. Turkeys at s7 apiece were scarce and everybody said that with the heat at a summer temperature and the hedge rows brilliant with flowers, the day did not seem much like Christ mas.
 All the company messes of the Forty ninth Iowa, the First North Carolina the Fourth Virginia, the Second Illinois and the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana regiments had extra spreads
 
 we'll to-do members. The army ration was supplemented by fruits, canned goods, sweet potatoes and sometimes chicken. The Sixth Missouri regiment, the last to arrive, had no chance to prepare an extra dinner, so the men dined on fresh beef, rice and beans.
 Company F of the One Hundred and Sixty-first Indiana regiment had cactus tree with present for every body stuck on the points, as for in- stance, hardtack beans, salt pork and candies. The officers of the One Hun dred and Sixty-first Indiana indulged in the dinner, in songs and speech making, with several dances.
 At Fl Vedado the Eighth and Tenth Regular Infantry regiments dined we'll at the expense of the company funds.
 Major General Lee and his staff par took of a modest dinner. General Lee had a number of live turkeys avail able. but as the birds are very lean he decided to keep them on the chance of improving them for the New Years feast after the flag raising.
 BERLIN, Dec. 25.-Emperor William and members of the Imperial family followed their Christmas observances to-day