The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-26
ALL BIRMINGHAM OBSERVES HOLIDAY Christmas Thoroughly Cele-
 brated Yesterday  ALL INDUSTRIES CLOSE Services Held In Many Churches and Charity Organizations Gave Food and Presents to Many Poor
 People
 
ALL INDUSTRIES CLOSE

l The wheels or cOlnlnefciaNSlh 'A e'e Birmingham district were temporarily clogged yesterday. All industries were closed down that their employees might enjoy Christmas Day as they saw ht'
 Throughout the day the streets in the downtown district were crowded, and the joyous halo of Merry Christmas was on every lip. Everyone seemed happs and was willing 10 share happiness with others. Early in the morning the moving picture shows opened and were visited by many hundreds of people. Later in the afternoon as the theatres threw open their doors for speehsl Christmas matlnees they filled quickly. for Birmingham was out en masse The hotels and restaurants were crowded to capacity at almost all hours of the day,
 But the theatres moving picture shows and restaurants were not the main at traoGons. Many of the churches of the city held special Christmas services, ana these were unusually well patronlzed. With the religious and charitable institu- tons in the lead, real Christmas Day was celebrated
 Gifts For Poor
 The Salvation Army headquarters was l flied yesterday and many poor families were made happy with Christmas basket | that contained q hearty dinner. Ad1utaat Halpin said that 175 baskets were distrib- uted by the army, as well as many tick cts for the Salvation Army Christmas tree Friday night
 l The pisgah home dinner in the Elyton Masonic hall last evening at o'clock l served hearty meal to several hundred poor people Following the dinner was | the Christmas tree celebration for the 1 ''newsies" of Birmingham This was a gala affair and each newsboy was pre- sented with a silk neelxtie and handker- chief after having all the dinner he could eat Judge Murphy. Isadore Shapiro, Mrs. l C. P Orr James Weatherly and Dr. W. E. Evans made informal talks to the boys during the evening.
 Church Services
 Most of the churches of the city were open The Catholic and Episcopal 1 churches with their beautiful musical programmes were visited by large congre- gatons at the morning services.
 There were five masses at St. Paul 8 church. The Rev. Father Coyle, the pas torS said that the early masses were particularly well attended and that the total number of the faithful receiving holy communion was very large.
 At 10:a0 o'clock there was a solemn l high mass with the Rev. Father Early as celebrant, the Rev. Benjamin Platto as deacon and the Rev. Father Carol as | sub-deacon. The Rev. Father Coyle was the preacher and delivered q short but eloarant sermon on the birth and divinity l of Christ.
 The music of the choir, with Mrs. Kribs as solo soprano. was said to have been exceptionally fine. lust before the mass the "Adeste Fideleso was sung and this famous Christmas hymn was sung again during the offertory, Its beauty was frightened by prelude played | by Philip Memol Jr on the oboe. The musical mass was Rosewig s-new a St. ! Pauls.
 After the mass solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given.
 Other Church Services
 At the Southslde Presbyterian church, Rev. J. A. Bryan. the pastor. held spe- cial services at II o'clock yesterday morning and at 7:SO o'clock last night. Both were well attended and appro- priate exercises and talks by the pastor l were given
 Holy communion began at I;30 o'clock yesterday morning at St Andrews Epis- copal church and there was holy com munion and a sermon al II o'clock. The St. Andrews Sunday school celebration l WILL OfGUT lnlS alItlnoDu dl 4soN Q CLOCK. | At the Park Avenue Baptist church in North Birmingham Christmas tree and exercise was given at 6:30 o'clock ] last evening. 1t was both a giving and l receiving tree and the large congreGa- | ton much enjoyed the exercises by the primary. junior and Intermediate classes.
 Special services at the Church of the | Advent yesterday morning included early ! communion at 7:30 o'clock and at II :00 o'clock by the rector, pr. ". E. Evans, Special music was rendered at the II 200 o'clock service.
 In Residence Districts l Although the crowds were more no- ticeable in their celebrations in the down town district, in the residence communi- ties there was q constant booming and I'sr apping of flrcerackers and as dork- uess came on many beautiful pieces of fireworks were sent into the sky by the boys and girls Of the household from the street and their front lawns EverywhcrG evidence of the celebration of the groat est holiday of the year was constantly being impressed on one Of the sens'', the sight, the hearing. taste. or feeling. Of coGrse. there were many families whose members never loft the home yes terday. These no doubt were by far ir the majority, and although unseen hy tho outsider, here is where the real Christmas celebrations took place, afte. all.
 The Hand1ey Memorial Presbyterian Sunday school will have their christ lmss entertainment at inc ehurch this levening at o'clock. rain or shino. All members are expected and friends are IinX Ned to attend.