The San Francisco call., 1899-12-26

~v LORY TO God In the highest.
4 * and on earth peace. good Will
G go toward men"
ROBBED priests have intoned
%~ the mass in glory of the Sa-
vior; ministers of the gospel
of every creed have knelt at
the altar in commemoration of his birth;
from the throats OF children have fioated
anthems in his praise; around the tree Of
gifts babies have danced with happy
hearts, and even into the dungeons and
through the wards where lay the sick and
dying the light OF his mercy has brought
hope and love and gladness. Another
Christmas has passed and with ii even
the memory OF the hardships of former
years have grown DINNER, but the
black cloud OF war has cast its shadow
over homes around. whose fires faces OF
year ago are missing and ever Will be. as
they have fallen, martyrs TO their coun-
try, on the fields of battle.
Turning ones thoughts from the graves
OF the dead TO the bright homes OF the
quick, TO the tabernacles OF worship and
the houses OF pleasure, memory cannot
recall a merrier, brighter. more prosper
Gus Christmas. From the windows OF
many-a majority OF the homes-candles
swinging gracefully from the limbs OF
eVergreens threw out their Light, cheering
these who passed on their way 10 scenes
as bright. Even in the district where the
Door reside the kindly hand of charity had
reached, ana bright-eyed children blended
their voices with those that sang carol
OF worship for the blessings OF the present
and ntoned in prayer, calling for a better
fortune in the future.
In the churches of the city the devout
gathered and mingled their tongues In
worship of the martyr of Calvary. Elab-
crate services marked the celebration Of
Christs nativity at Grace Church The
their simplicity. -Four evergreen trees
were placed before the altar, with here
and there sprinkling Of holly berries and
ferns The music rendered by the regular
choir under the direction OF Organist
Theodore Nogt was especially inspiring,
and the singing OF Noel at the ofrertory
by 5. Homer Henley was an interesting
feature. The other numbers We're: Open
ing anthem, Christ Is Risen" (rheodore
Nogu; "Te Deum" (Hoiden); "Jubilate'
DR. Foute's theme for his sermon was
Christmas the Universal Holiday"
Throughout his discourse he wove the
beautiful story of the nativity in de-
cdedly novel and interesting way, story
that appears never TO grow old and al
ways engages the best attention OF the
true Christian.
THE fact that people of all classes
said Dr. EOute, from the three wise and
powerful kings of the East down TO the
loWly and humble shepherds Of Bethle-
hem Paid homage 10 the newborn King
acceptance of the Son OF God by all the
nations OF the earth. Christ was the only
man whose birth had been expected. He
had been the desire OF the world ever
sine the beginning OF recorded time. They
looked for him in palaces, on thrones, at
the head OF vast armies, in Imperial
Rome. and found him in a manger, down
among the cattle. Christmas is the crown
ing festival of redeemed humanity. Other
festivals have died with the people who
instituted them, but the anniversary OF
Christ's nativity has and will endure for
ages. Millions OF people throughout tho
universe are brought together in the OBJ
Asia and darkest Africa remain un-
touched by its influence, but they, too.
Will fall into line and soon the world will
cease warning and fighting and will meet
in one festival of peace and good will"
Father MacCorry, who on behalf of the
paulist Fathers delivered the sermon At
ST. Mary's Church, Dupont and California
Streets. spoke on the 'Lowliness OF
Christ" An unusually large crowd lis
tened 10 his address. In part he said:
Is there room, think you. in modern
society for Jesus? Pass In at the ballroom
door. There Is room Tor many things in
our modern society: room for the simpering
imbecile: room for the painted doll; room
for the frivolous conversation; room for the
idiotic laughter; room for the sting Of
calumny; room for the traitors fang; room
for the carol OF music; room Tor the rustic
Of silks: room for the blazing OF Jewels like
stars beneath the light and incidentally
there is room for much improvement. but
little room for Christ.
Why. speak the name Of Jesus reverently
in such an assemblage and men and women
starte In CONSERVATION and fright.
Is there room. think YOU. for Jesus IN our
institutes Of learning? How often the
thunderbolts OF learning leveled at his heart
How often are our universities the furnaces
in which are forged the nails that transhx
him 10 the cross" Who Is Jesus that they
should acknowledge him? Wrapped in their
blasphemous conceits, they know Him not.
OH may God forgive the nations: God
forgive society; God forgive our institutes Of
learning; God forgive us all to-day. He
came to bless the world. He became poor
for your sake and mine. he died that we
might live. All then. IL cruel world
shuts him out. at least make room for him
in your hearts to-day. Stand ye invtingly
on Your thresholds 10 bid him welcome;
welcome 20 your lives; welcome 10 your
homes: welcome TO your hearts Him whom
the world rejected in the beginning. for