Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-12-25

Christmas in its history. A Christmas
OF plenty, a Christmas OF giving and a
Christmas on which most Of the khaki
clad boys. who a year ago were absent
IN far-off lands, are united with their
families and enjoying ~Nith them the
dressings or land of peace and pros
perity.
Christmas eve marked the opening
OF the festivities in Boise. The arched
doors of the churches swung open and
bade the multitudes welcome. The
Yuletide season was ushered in with
tho singing of sacred songs and praise
services. At practically very church
last night or today, gifts were laid on
the altar for the suffering. sick and
distressed and in hundreds OF homes
Christmas was made more joyous be-
cause of these donations.
Not only in Boise. where few cases
OF sickness and suffering exist but in
far-away Syria, where suffering is ex-
treme and thousands lay down their
lives daily for want of food, was the
hand of charity extended and liberal
cash donations were made in almost
every church for the near east relief
for which such heart rendered an
eloquent appeal was made.
MANY CHRISTMAS TREES.
The fires in the hearths burned
bright Christmas eve in hundreds of
Boise homes. Christmas trees with the
cclored lights and loads of presents
shone in radiant spendor through the
windows and the faces of happy chill
dFen bespoke the real joys of the Yblc-
tide season.
SPECIAL SERVICES.
At the First Methodist church, DR..
w. w. Van Dusen. presiding pastor in
commenting upon the unusual gifts
by the children for the poor OF the
A. la. Ill avn -
ence have never seen the Christmas
spirit so beautifully manifested as IT
has been this year in extending assist
ance TO the poor of the community.
The services consisted of stereoptcon
views or the mission fields. whore
missionaries were teaching the story
of Christ to children and their work
among the sick and suffering. Treats
were given all the children and the al
tar was banked high with gifts for
the needy brought by children OF the
Sunday school in the spirit taught
them, Shat II is more blessed to give
than to receive"
The first Presbyterian church was
agiow with lights and the services
dealt with THE "Chrishnas Land" sto-
ries being told to the children of the
beauties of the first Christnf~- which
marked the birth of the Christ child.
Music readings and PRAY crs were uthcr
features of the service. Nm offering
for the Syrian relief fund was taken
and $52.5e was raised. phe offering
last Sunday for the same fund amount
ed TO $3.50. Donations of food for
Christmas dinners were given and
were distributed today by the Assocta-
ted charities.
a Giving christmas" fca tured the
program at the Second PRESBYTERIAN
church in South Boise Music and
recitations were given by the students
of the school and the large quantity
OF gifts brought by them for the poor
of the community were distributed by
the dcacons OF the church. who used
an auto truck In making the dlstrbu-
lions. Two large family dinners, con-
sisting of all the dclicacies of the sea
son besides substantial substance
were provided the dinners being pre-
pared by the Westminster Guild and
the Christian Endeavor society. Tho
choir Of the church THIS morning Wis
tied the homes of the sick and sans
Christmas songs.
AT ST. LUkE'S.
Following the custom inauguratee
years ago by the late Rt. Rev. james
n. EtInsten bishop of Idaho, the grea
, pine tree which stands at the entrance
OF st. Lukes hospital was ablaze viii
coIored electric lights on Christmas
eve. 1t was "A cheering sight which be
spoke the Christina season to all WIS.,
itors. The corridors OF the hoslnta
were hung with holly. cver3reens ant
Christmas bells. Al o'clock the fui
choir of st. Afichaels cathedral sans
christmas carols In the halls. whici
we're thoroughly enjoyed BY the pa
tents.
SALVATION ARMY ACTIVE.
In accordance with its time-honore'
custom. the Salvation Army OF Bois'
distributed 100 Christmas boxes Wed
nesday, and three more were taken thi
morning. completing the list. One nun
dred and three homes Will thus ~
gratefully happy today hat other"ls
would have missed the cheer which j
wanted everywhere ON Christmas ha.
of all DAYS. The boxes contained chiek
ems. and I'm some instances other meats
and all that TX necessary I" furnish
good chicken dinner. as wei as TO III
sure a laden table the rest of the weeh
II was an all-day task and lopl
day for the workers Of the army go