The Washington herald., 1907-12-23
TELL OF CHRISTMAS
Ministers of Local Churches
Explain Days Meaning.
SHOULD BEAR GIFTS TO POOR
Rev. DIR. Bristol, OF metropolitan VI.
Il. Church, Contends All should See
the JOY in Holiday and should
Impnrt Ii TO Others-sermOns De-
Iivered by other CIergymen.

Washington's ehurch-goers and others,
too, who attended some of the services
OF yesterday. were given the first oppor-
tunity CT the year to listen to Christmas
exercises. Most Of the churches and
similar organizations which had an
nounced Christmas services for The day
were blessed with large crowds.
Song and sermon combined in several
OF the churches 10 call to the attention
of those who knew and those who might
not have known that the holiday OF
holidays is close at hand. In many of
the sermons Christmas was the whole
tenOr-its meaning in the first place. and
what it should mean 10 the present day
world. was carried out
The music, as is almost invariably the
custom in this city. was magnificent. and
showed the careful work that has been
done in its preparation for many weeks.
Elaborate Musical Programme.
AT the Metropolitan Memorial N. z.
Church, Rev. Frank Bristol. following an
elaborate musical programme, preached
on the text, When Jesus was born in
Bethlehem Of Judea.' The preacher took
up the different ways in which the birth
Of Christ has affected the men Of the
world. The theologian. he said. had
found in that birth the mystery OF divine
incarnation. The historian goes back to
that birth to find the greatest event in
all civilization. The common people find
in the birth Of Christ the beginning Of
service for the world
Rev. Mr.. Bristol then took UP the real
meaning OF Christmas. He said that
Mary had always tried 10 serve the Mas
ter and that. therefore. we should also
Try so 10 serve. He said the angels had
sung Of peace on earth and good viii 70
men. ana that we should live up to this
precept He said the shepherds. who had
seen the Star in the East. had been over
jOyed at the sight, but they had also
carried news Of their JOY TO others. He
said the world OF to-day should see the
JOY IN Christmas. bat that it. too. should
impart II 10 others.
The wise men who came to the young
Christ bearing gifts. he said. should
teach US 20 bear gifts 10 the poor Of the
world st this Christmas time This. he
said. would be more acceptable 20 Jesus
Christ than were the gifts Of gold brought
20 Him by the wise men.
Rev. Mr.. Bristol said we should cheer
up. The nation, he said, never in its
history had better reason to feel optimis-
tic than to-day.
we are bound % prosper beyond our
dreams and are certain 70 become a great
and mighty nation FOR good" be con-
tiaued.
At the Y. NJ. c. a. Rev. r. II. McKim.
pastor OF the Church OF the Epiphany.
preached on the text Behold, I bring
you good tidings Of great JOY. for unto
you is born this day a Saviour
The Mystery OF Religion.
Rev. Mr.. McKim dwelt largely on the
mystery OF religion and said the greatest
things in the world to-day are the most
mysterious He said each new discovery
Of science reveals an untold number OF
mysteries.
"A Saviour is born unto yop men Of
to-day. as well as 70 the people Of the
earth 1900 years ago. II has been man 5
aim. ever since the beginning. 20 de-
velop a perfect man. but of all the great
men of whom we read in history, none
are spotless. save only Christ
IN St Pauls Episcopal Church last
night Rev. Alfred Harding. its rector.
Z
Kinsolving. d. D., Bishop Of Brazil who
was taken suddenly 81. preached on Il
am come that they might have life. The
sermon explained the meaning Of Christ
mas.
Fifty years ago" said Rev. Mr.. Hard
ing. Christmas was celebrated by only q
few religious denominations. To-day il IS
a feast celebrated by all mankind. In this
universal observance there is danger.
Many Christians are apt TO lose sight OF
the principles and significance Of this
great feast day. by the merry making
and gift-giving that now characterize il.
Christmas tells us that Christ came
into our wurld 20 unite man with God:
this is a fundamental truth Of Christianity
that is deserving Of more veneratiOn- Ii
were better 70 revert back fifty years and
observe this day in the simplicity and de-
votion that then characterized it, than 10
make Christmas a day Of worldly pleas
ures and festivities"
One Of the notable features OF the serv-
ice was the work Of the choir, which sang
several anthems Of a holiday nature
Owing to the fact that several members
OF the choir Of the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church were unable to at
tend service. the singing Of the "Nativ-
ity." scheduled for last night was post
poned until next Sunday.
Sunday school Exercises.
In the morning. however. the Sunday
school Of this church held Christmas ex-
ercises, at which singing by choir Of
twenty-five female voices. under the di-
rection Of Mr.. Fishbaugh, was a feature.
DR.. Charles Johnson, former missionary
to China, addressed the Sunday school
for about twenty minutes. DR.. Johnson
told Of the work being done among the
natives of the FlOwery Kingdom. He told
of the salutations OF the Chinese. and OF
their observance Of New Years. which
is their greatest festival.
He said that during the time Of this
New Years festival. the missionaries are
hardest at work, because il is then the
Chinese flock to see them. and can be
reached by the Christian workers.
Dr. Johnson, with his wife. his daugh-
ter. his son. and his niece, all Of whom
were en- the platform were attired in
Chinese costume
Several other churches observed the
day. both in the words delivered by their
pastors and in the rendition of Christmas
anthems