The San Francisco call., 1904-12-26

There is an old adage that says
gratitude is a lively sense Of favors
10 come" Christmas eve found San
Francisco filed with just this sort Of
gratitude and Christmas day brought
with ii all that God and nature have
TO offer in warm sunshine and the
happy knowledge Of the bountifulness
OF a year that has been manifold in it's
blessings for all men Of the prosperous
West.
Peace was on earth-the calm of the
perfect winter day and the happy faces
Of the good-natured. jostling Christmas
crowds proved this. Within the bright
" lighted dining halls, in the quarters
Of the rich and poor; in the long, un-
decorated rooms Of the city's charita-
3. ble institutions, and even in the mar
row, Impoverished quarters OF the Pest
house the light Of human kindness en-
tered and brought with it a Christmas
cheer that meant much TO those who
have TO depend for opportunity TO for
get their Affections upon the unselfsh-
ness oS the charitably inclined.
The Salvation Army has prepared TO
feed thousands OF homeless ones at its
dinners to-day, and great tables will
be loaded down with roast turkey and
good things to eat Of which California
IS so prolific. The orphans were not
forgotten, and in every Catholic and
Protestant orphan asylum the little
- waits were treated TO gifts Of toys,
candy. fruits, nuts, and they ended
the happy day with feasts Of turkey,
cranberry sauce and abundant sweets.
Special services were held in all of
the churches on this and the other side
OF the bay The musical programmes
in most Of the places Of worship were
extensive, and nearly every regular
choir was augmented by choruses of
trained voices selected from among the
best-known vOcalists-
High mass was celebrated at the
Cathedral and all of the Catholic
churches. There was an unusually
large attendance Of the devotees of the
faith Archbishop Montgomery deliv-
cred the sermon at the IL o'clock high
mass at the Cathedral. The Rev. David
Evans delivered the sermon at
Grace Episcopal Church. the Rev. Wal
ter N. White at the West Side Chris
-tian Church, the Rev. w K. Guthrie
IT the First Presbyterian Church. the
Rev. George c. Adams at the First
CONGREGATIONAL Church and the Rev.
J.. J. Sawyer at the Hamilton Baptist
Special services were also held at the
Simpson Memorial. Swedish Lutheran,
California street Methodist EpiSco-
pal and Bethlehem Congregational
churches. Evening services were as
well attended as those of the morning.
Many of the Sunday-schools had
Christmas-tree gatherings. at which
informal receptions were held for the
old folks.
About the city the day was spent in
an unusually quiet manner. There was
2 fairly large attendance at the beach
and Golden Gate Park, but travel
across the bay and to nearby towns
was very large. Few accidents were
reported.
The garrisOns of the Presidio, Fort
Mason and the other military posts
about the bay were granted two holi-
DAYS. only sufficient men being detailed
10 maintain the guard lines. In many
Of the company quarters the troops got
up elaborate Christmas dinners. The
sailor boys from the training ship Buff
falo. Mare Island navy yard and the
Yerba Buena station were ashore in
large squads, and had a jolly good
time on their "shore leave" A fine
meal was prepared for the tars at their
respective quarters.
To-day being a legal holiday many
persons viii remain out of the city on
visits TO friends and relatives in the
country. The sale Of tickets for inte-
rior towns was large