The Alaska daily empire., 1915-12-27
CHRISTMAS
 MERRIEST
 ON RECORD

one of health. abundant prosperity and promise. and Gastineau Channel intends to appropriately sing out tho old and salute the new year
 A City Of Happiness
 The Christmas festivities this year were more elaborate than the celebra- tion here last year. There were more people. money was freer, which made the stores beehives of activity all during December, and Q greater enthusiasm was manifested. AS striking contrast to the pictures of wretchedness with which the large cities of the United States are con fronted at Christmas was the condi- tlon found here. Happy laughing children were everywhere. Here and there where condition of poverty was discovered-and the agents of charitably inclined people worked dili- gently-some neglected child was made happy and in these isolated cases the joy of giving was layishly expressed. Around the public Christ mas trees were groups of delighted kiddies. their faces radiant with the smiles of appreciation, and in homes the gaily lighted trees. the Christmas wreaths. and the scenes of merrlment amid contentment stood out more prominently than ever before.
 The Church Services.
 Services In the churches were large ly attended. At 12 o'clock Christmas Eve solemn High Mass was sung in the Roman Catholic church, with the church and lobby entirely filled. The Very Rev. R. J. Crimcnt. prefect apos- tolic for Alaska. as celebrant, the Rev. James A. Kennolly as deacon and the Rev. A. Roccatti as sub-deacon had charge of the services. Millard's Mass in G.. veni Creator, Adeste S.denes and Mel were sung by choir con sistirg of Miss Crystal Snow, Mrs. George Simplins. Mrs. Guy McNau- ghton. Miss L. I.a Bounty, Mrs. Wal demar Engberg, Mrs. J. c. Valentine, Mrs. D. ,. Hickey, Miss Ptack, M. A. Snow. T. J. McCaul F. Bilodeau and Waldemar Enberg.
 High celebration of the Holy Euch- ar.st was sung In Trinity Episcopal church at n o'clock Christmas morn ing. and the church was attractively decorated. The Communion service by Adlam was used. with the usual Christmas hymns. and at the Offer tory the anthem. Glad Tidings." by Bartlett, was sung by Miss Snow, so- prano. and the choir, accompanied by Professor Sumpf with the violin. In the. afternoon the children of Trinity Parish sang Christmas carols and wis ited the Holy Manager. arranged in the church basement The Rev. Guy D. Christian. rector of the church, pre- sided
 X Christmas program was rendered Christmas evening by the young peo ! pie of the Northern Light Presbyter ian church and the tree yielded har vest of gifts for young and old. The Rev. J. B. Stevens, pastor of the church. preached at Il Q. m.
 Christmas services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church at n O. clock Christmas Day. the Rev. R. C. Blackwell preaching. Services also were held at 7.30 D. m.
 Scandinavian services were held in the Christian Science church at 7:So D. m. Christmas. the Rev. L. O. VII Hams preaching. The Rev. Martin L. Larson of Douglas also preached in the Swedish tongue, at special ser vices In the Presbyterian church ai 2:S0 Christmas afternoon.
 The Rev. David Waggoner was in charge Of tho services for natives. in the Indian Village Christmas Eve, fol lowed by a celebration Of Christmas by the pupils in the United States government school. Among the visi tors were the Governor and Mrs Strong, and Supt W c. Beattie, and , Mrs. Beattie.
 Public Trees Big Success
 The Christmas trees in the hotels were very successful The biz tree in the Gastinear lobby attracted near ly hundred children. and E. p. Pond as Santa Claus distributed gifts and candy. In the New Cain NJ. S. steeley was Santa. and distributed the gifts to guests at the hotel, their friends, and employees of the hotel c. c. Brooks was Santa Claus at the Alas lzan's tree. The Bergman also had a tree for guests.
 Dinner parties on Christmas Day were moro numerous than last years, and played no small part in the ob- servance of tho day In the restaur- ants elaborate Christmas menus were served and in tho camps at Salmon Creek. Perseverance, the Ebncr, at -Thane and the .Alaska-Juneau. the king of birds was carved.
 From l until o'clock Mir. and Mrs. John Fl. Cobb kept open house and scores called. Egg-nog was served.
 Business at Top Notch.
 Merchants and businessmen gem orally declared today that December business broke all previous records, and that the years trade is larger and better than ever before. Many of the merchants have begun to take inveu- tories of stocks. and buyers for the larger houses will be leaving after the first of January. for the States
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