The Washington herald., 1910-12-26

With the full religious significance OF
the day overshadowing any outward man
ifestauons Of the rollickingly joyous
spirit that attends a weekday Christmas,
Washington observed its Christmas sun
day quietly.
In song and sermon the story OF the
birth of the Christ Child was told anew in
every Christian church of the city.
Brought home more forcibly by the
double sacredness OF the day, the relig-
ious services constituted the major part
Of the general observance Of Christmas.
IL was a day spent. for the most part, in
the churches or the home.
Nature entered into the Christmas
spirit, too, save possibly for the lack of
snow. An ideal day with clear skies and
Just the right tang of winter in the air,
was her luleude gift 10 humanity. The
beautiful weather added 10 the joy OF
Christmas calling, a custom that still
prevails here and was carried out ex-
iensively by residential Washington.
While the bright skies made promenad-
ing or motoring an attractive recreation.
the streets We're deserted. except for
churcGgOers and those on missions of
fuletde giving. Christmas centers in
the home, and every one seeme1 unwilling
10 leave the family circle.
Young Washington Arises Early.
When younger Washington tumbIed
out OF bed at dawn and scampesed down
stairs in his "nightie" 20 view the fruits
Of Santa Claus visit, full realization Of
the real Christmas spirit was manifest
IN every home. The unalloyed joy OF the
youngsters as some new present was
sighted repaid those who had spent days
in preparation for the occasion. The
bundles that We're carried through the
crowds in the stores last week were now
something more than mere packages;
they were gifts. and the spirit o: the
giving IS what helps make a Christmas.
And those youngsters and gr0wn-ups
not blessed with this worlds goods We're
remembered in the YuletIde cheer. Hun
dreds of homes were made happy by the
distribution by local charities of baskets
OF deliclci-s. clothing. and toys
When the store doors had been slammed
in the faces Of belated Christmas shop
pers Saturday ut midnight the clerks re-
mained. tired as they were, 10 gather
Up gifts that philanlhropic employers or
dered sent TO cheer the poor.
At the orphan asyiums and homes Of
the city there were Christmas trees ga
lore with presents for every inmate.
Then. too that turkey dinner was a big
factor i'm the material manifestation Of
the holiday spirit in these institutions,
On the stroke of midnight masses We're
beEun in eleven Catholic churches of the
city Congregations that taxed the ca
pacity OF each edifce were in attendance
and Joined In usherins in the day ia de-
vOut alteration Services continued in
every church of the city throughout the
morning. and in the evening there We're
special yesper services.
President Taft attended All Souls
Church. az Fourteenth and l. streets
northwest yesterday morning Rev. T.
g. B. Pierce the pastor. preached on the
debt humanity owes TO Jesus OF Naza-
reth.
The President spent practically the
whole day with his family AT the White
House. 4 star spansied" dinner, to
which every State had contributed. and
in which a forty-pound Rhode Island
turkey was a central figure, was enjoyed
by the family AT > o'clock.
Good Rest for Clerks.
To-day viii see the more general secu-
lar observance OF Christmas. Places Of
business that were alive with shoppers
up to the stroke Of 70 Saturday night
will be deserted. A double holiday-and
a well-earned one-will be enjoyed by the
clerks who tOiled carly and late to make
Christmas happy FOR others.
In the departments there will be no
one but the Watchmen. The legal observ-
ance OF the holiday to-day gives those
government employees who have fretted
about longer hours another day in which
20 forget pending troubles in the gay
holiday spirit, Cafes and restaurants are
counting on accommodating large crowds
Of holiday diners, and the respective
managements are making elaborate
preparations for the night
Related Christmas gifts viii keep ex-
press companies and post-ofice employees
busy to-day There Will be but one mail
delivery. starting from the main building
al 7.30 a. m. The express companies are
counting on a busy day. as hundreds OF
packages have piled up in the offices
since the last delivery was made Satur-
day night,