The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-12-29
MERRY CHRISTMAS
FOR SAILOR LADS
AT PORT SOCIETY TREE.
MANY NATIONALITIEs REPRESENT
ED IN THE GATHERING.

Through All the Merriment There
Was an Undercurrent of Sadness,
Made Apparent When Reference
Was Made to Homes Across the
Sea-Dr. j. Y. Fair Addressed Sail
Ors, Telling Them Savannah Was
Glad to Welcome Them and owed
Them a Debt of Gratitude.
Through the kindness of the Ladies'
Auxiliary of the Savannah Port So
ciety, the sailors of many lands, whose
ships are now in port, were given a
merry Christmas at the Seamens
Bethel last night.
The chapel was prettily decorated.
From the ceiling and hanging in fes-
toons between the columns were in
Vulnerable flags. the emblems of many
nations being entwined with the Stars
and Stripes of America. At the front
of the chapel were two Christmas
trees. decorated with miniature in
candescent lamps and loaded with
gifts for the crowd of Jaekies.
1t was a merry occasion. sforcibly il
Illustrating the depth of the Christmas
spirit. Though far from home and in
a strange land. the sailors were given
merry time. Yet through it all,
there was an undercurrent of sadness.
which at times was evident. Tears
glistened in many an old salts eye,
when reference was made to the home
across the sea, where mother, wife.
sister or sweetheart was probably
wishing that the absent one was at
home for the Christmas festivities.
Deep Rooted in Love.
The chapel was comfortably filled
before the exercises We're started, and
was crowded before they had progress
ed very far. Rev. Halvor Iversen, the
superintendent of the Sailors Home.
officiated at the gathering. "All Hail
the Power of Jesus Name" was the
first song, after which Rev. DIR. j Y.
Fair led in prayer. Other songs were
sung and DR.. Fair then delivered the
address.
In speaking of the Christmas trees,
he said the trees were apparently with
out roots, simply springing from the
floor. But such, he declared, was not
the case. The trees were deep rooted
and sprang from the Christian love
and sympathy of the ladies of the
auxiliary, he said. Nor did the roots
back to the birth of Christ. 1000 years
ago.
Lessons of the Trees.
There were three lessons he sought
to teach the sailors from the trees,
that had been prepared for their en-
joyment. The first was the kindly feel
ing of Savannah for the men, who go
down to the sea in ships"
The very existence of the city, he
said, depended upon the sea and the
citizens feel under obligations to the
brave hearts that man the ships. AS
long as a sailor is true to his honor
able calling and remains man, Sa-
vannahians will extend him the hand
Of welcome and provide for him when
he comes to this port, DR.. Fair said.
The second lesson. which he sought
to impress upon the sailors, was the
home idea of Christmas. The world
over, ne said, every one instinctively
thinks of home about Christmas time.
1t is the time for the return of the
school children and the wanderers. He
begged the sailors to remember the
homes they had left and to write to
those who had been left behind. whose
Christmas had been marred by their
absence. t1t dShtQ CNtig RANSNiAe
10 promise to write home before the
end Of the year. The happiness that
would thus be brought to those IN
foreign homes would more than repay
the Savannah ladies for their efforts to
give the sailors merry Christmas,
he said. He begged them to remain
true to the home teachings.
Gift of salvation.
The third idea Of the Christmas tree
he wished all TO remember, he said,
was the Christ and God that were rep
resented. He urged them 10 accept
the gift OF salvation as they would ac-
cent the worldly gifts that the ladies'
were about 20 distribute.
Take your bearings by the star OF
Bethlehem. Let Christ be your pilot
10 guide you through all time" he con-
tinued.
Al the conclusion OF DR.. Fairs adj
dress there was another song and then
the serving OF refreshments started,
while the music continued. Sandwiches,
coffee. cakes. etc. were served the sail
Ors by the ladies'. while Christmas mu-
slc was played for their pleasure.
The members u the FIRST Presby-
terrain Church choir. Miss Kate Grady,
Nrs. Alyan Vs. Rowe, Mr.. James Deacy
ana Mr. Ralph r. byrnes. rendered q
number ~ ne selections that were
uscd ~ the church for Christmas. Mrs.
w a. Bishop played fhf acc0Wpani-
menfs. ~. william Nichols accom-
panied many ~ ne songs o. she cor.
rff ara ~. - MOIT sang several 49,