Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-12-25
CAPITAL CITY.
ENJOYS QUIET.
Gil R is I N AS
Associated Charities Christ
mas Tree Largely Attend
ed Affair Many Gifts for
Children.

ed Affair Many Gifts for
Children.
Between 500 and 900 children re-
ceived gifts Christmas Eve from the
mammoth tree at the state capitol
building. Again the Associated Char
tiles, supported by the generous heart
ed people of Boise, staged another
spectacular Christmas event which
made glad the hearts of hundreds of
children and entertained many elders
who assembled to witness the festivi-
ties and aid in the distribution of gifts.
EARLY last evening great loads of
Christmas presents were hauled to the
capitol building and placed on and
about the tree. which with its hun
dreds of colored electric lights, shining
silver tinseas, big red balls and gauze
sack. filled with colored candy. was
At o'clock the Salvation Army
band. headed by Santa Claus. marched
to the capitol, which was already filled
with children and spectators.
As II she controlled them by some
magic power, Captain Barnes of the
Salvation Army soon had the chill
dren lined up ready to receive the gifts
to which their tickets entitled them.
There were beautifully dressed dolls,
choice books for children of all ages.
funny dogs. geese, animals and me-
chanical toys of all kinds for the small
er children. A gauze stocking of can
dy and nuts and an orange was given
to each Of the children. AS they
marched out with arms laden their
happy faces bespoke the gratitude for
the gifts the gods Of charity had pro-
vided.
Every child which had a ticket and
500 were given out, received a pres
ent Many others. who had no tickets,
but were permitted to line up. were
also cared for in a measure although
not so bountifully as those whom Cap
tain Barnes knew were entitled to re-
ceive gifts.
John F. Nugent president Of the As
ISOLATED Charities, took an active part
in the Christmas festivities and was
ably assisted by the Girls Honor guard
and Patriotic league of the Y. w. C.
A.
During the distribution Of gifts ap-
was py tnc
Salvation Army band.
MUNICIPAL CHRISTMAS TREE.
The municipal Christmas tree at old
Columbia park stood out in prominence
Christmas Eve, as it shone brilliant
with electric lights and stood. a silent
reminder that the Yuletide season in
Boise was remembered officially.
Shortly after o'clock the male cho-
rus gathered about the tree and sang
a number Of appropriate selections,
closing with the new favorite. Amer
lea the Land of Liberty" The choir
of the Episcopal church, in full uni
form, followed the male singers and
rendered a number Of Christmas car
OILS, after which the choir of the I'm
manuel Methodist church sang a
number of times.
The exercises about the tree were
impressive and were heard by a large
crowd. Late Christmas shoppers stop
ped to hear the songs and many others
were attracted to the scene.
The beautiful tree was a present to
the city by the Boise Payette Lumber
company and the artistic lighting was
a gift from the Idaho Power COM
pany. Miss Irwin had charge Of the
festivities and arranged for the sing
Ing.
The school children Of Boise and vic
Unity sang about the tree this after
noon and again large crowd gathered
TO hear the youthful voices sing their
patriotic and yuletide songs.
st. MicHAEL'S MIDNIGHT SER
VICE.
The midnight Christmas Eve SER
vice held at st. Michaers' cathedral
was attended by crowded congrega-
ton, and thoroughly enjoyed. They
began with the singing Of a number of
old English Christmas carols by the |
choir IN the tower OF the church. At
1880 the regular evening service be-
gan. the opening hymns being While
Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by
Night" and 20 Come AL Ye Faithful
The cathedral I'D been in semi dark
ness. lighted only by a great star sus-
pended in the chancel. Az the choir |
marched in, all the lignts were turned
on.
Dean Chamberlain preached the
sermon on the text: Let us now go |
even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass" st. Luke,
2:15. He drew the minds of his con-
gregation to the fact that at this time
the little town of Bethlehem outshone
all the great capitals of the world, be-
cause of the throng of associations
clustering about 1t. While other
names of cities stood for great turn
ing points in history, the name Beth
lehem stood for peace and love and good
will to all maniir d. In closing, he de-
scribed the Chriatmas Eve service held
every year by tie Patriarrh Of t.:e
Greek church at Bethieaern. and re-
ferred to the fact that this year. the
first time for nearly a thousand years,
r. Christian power and Christian SOL
iiers stood guard over the sacred spot
where Christ was born.
The evening service was followed by
a celebration of the holy communion
few minutes after midnight.
The music by the choir was the best
that has been heard I'm ST. Michaers
for long time. The evening can't