The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-25
TILE DAY OF GOOD WILL
All Washington Fittingly observes
the Christmas Festival.

Brilliant sun ssaIses kiiduinter
seem Like sprins-ys and
circIets of Holiday Green Esery-
where DfsnIayed-serv5cex in All
chmrehes-charity for cIty's Poor.
Christmas joys make the whole chrfss-
ian world bright today wherever the
sun shines the observance OF the day goes
on. Industry is hushed and the brain ST
nan IS busted with Christmas thoughts.
Beyond the religious significance OF the
| day. K IS time when mems hearts are
filed with the sweetesr memories and
prompted to The kindest deeds.
The day is being observed in Washing
ton as has been the custom or the people
since The city was. IN every church ars&
mission pious words are being spoken ara
the scene at Bethlehem nearly tyro thou-
sand years ago is being recalled. Many
heads are bowed in prayer as the lessen
taught by Him who caIze to save is stud
led. Many new and good resolves are be-
ing nace-some to be broken. some 10 ba
kept aad for every one unBroken the
wosfd makes permanent gain. Singers
and orgaBists are translating goodwill
thoughts into soft and pleasing music.
In the eeIehosynary and penal iHstitU-
tion5 the harsh fate of the inmates In
being touched with the light. the warmth,
and good cheer of the season Sunlight
softens the shadows here and dIspels
them there Men whom the world calls
good. touch hands and hearts with these
the world calls bad, and benefit comes 10
both.
In those districts in Washington inhaD-
tied by the poor. il is the belief of The
police and their eo-Werkers in practical
charity. and it is the hope OF every ope,
that there is not a hungry person. There
is no part Of Washington, even where The
depth of poverty is greatest that Is not
like unto Paradise when compared With
those parts OF the greateEcities 4hers
awful poverty prevails-where men and
won,en and little children hang between
life and starvation by the slendsrest
thread. II is the belief OF the authorities
that there is not a home-Hot a human
siielter-in- the District where there is
not meat and bread, coai and wood
1t was gloriously golden sun that
above the city today and made midEinter
seem like spring There was no sugges-
tion of snow or ice. and ali the bells that
rang were poised nigh in steeples or car
ried by children, men, and maidens
through the streets. It was day for
! sunshades instead Of mufIs. slippers IN
stead OF gum boots, and shirt sleeves IN
stead OF ulsters.
Holiday green shoRe in nearly every
window in the city. Wreaths and buriches
OF holly. dotted with scarlet berries cir
nd feStearS (Fsp-r1CE-
tufts Of long-Ieaf pine, boGgES OF pima and
cedar bundles of laurel. and branches q
naistletoe were displayed wherever the
eye rested
Many acres OF the country we're brought
in 10 brighten up the city Thousands oS
pine and cedar trees cut from their native
s4urnps were traEsplanted IN the rooms
CT city houses and made 70 bear oranges
and apples. candy, nuts and candies. and
other strange fruits. blossoms, aad bur
dsns. Grows, Jays, quail, and other WIZ
to- birds would have laughed to see their
cid tree friends In their Christmas dress.
Food was provided by AL the churches
FOR the poor within their parishes or that
had come under the personal observation
OF members.
IN the work OF aiding In the happiness OF
re peer, the Salvation Army and the
American Volunteers are doing their duty
Their appeal made 10 the public week
ago for articles OF food and clothing pro-
dueed results and these supplies we're Ju-
dicicusly distributed
The Christmas festivities Of the unfor-
tunate persons at the Government Hos
pitai for the Insane are going forward on
an elaborate scale Gifts viii this even
/ ing be distributed 20 the patients and each
inmate OF the Institution viii receive
something for which wish has been ex-
1 pressed Christmas dinner was served at
/ / O'Clock. This evening there viii be an
entertainment in which moving pictures
win be shown, and the day viii be closed
with a dance.
Al the Boys Reform School all work
was SUSPENDED, and dinner in wkieh roast
15rk took the place OF turkey was served
- the middle OF the day The afternoon
WV be given 10 the playing OF baseball;
Christmas dinner has been provided
for the inmates Of the Girls Reform
School. and in the evening there viii he
amusement in scns- recItauonss and the
distribution Of gifts
Little ones in The various orphan asy-
iun,s are being made 10 feel that this-is
the uerriest season ef the year The late
w ". Corcoran left q fund for the bene-
ft OF the washington Orphan Asylum, tbs
income from which is used TO provide
Christmas entertainments for the little
charges A present is purchased for each
child At the dinner each CT the waTds
was also given a bag Of candy and an
orange
t 1t is merry time with the soldiers
and sailors stationed at the Navy Yard.
| the Marine Barracks. the Washington
Barracks, and Fort AIyer At the last-
| named post there Is monster Christmas
tree weighted with presents for the lIt~
tie children of the enlisted men
Flowers and food have been sent into
all the hospitals and suffering IS ale
waited there as much as possible by good
things and cheering words Delegations
from the ehcirs of the city churches are
visiting the hospitals md doing what
good they can.
Everybody appears TO be happy