Evening star., 1923-12-25

sion and wa. undersecretary OF state
for several years.
ished as the center OF our belief. 1t
lis an everything principle to be
practiced, practiced in the spirit OF
Jesus and in eternal fellowship with
Him. This was the way for Him.
This is the way for Him and for u.s.
Sing Joyful Welcome.
Beneath the spreading trees of the
White House grounds a throng, in
which were represented. perhaps,
most Of the states Of the Union. bade
joyful welcome last night to the eve
Of another Christmas morn as the
vested choir of the First Congrega-
ttonal Church softly sang familiar
old Yuletide carols.
President and Mrs. Coolidge and a
number of invited guests stood just
within the glass doorway of the front
entrance during the singing-the
first time within the memory of the
Mansion has opened its gates for a
public celebration of Christmas eve.
No master of drama could have
laid more fitting scene for what
amounted to the nations welcome to
the fuletide season. A full moon
dropped its mellow rays down upon
the unusual setting, bathing the
crowded grounds in soft light; the
White House stood out In dim
silhouette in the background. Be-
the choristers. immaculate in their
white vestments. were grouped in a
semi circle around the piano.
The air was bracing,, but from 8
O'Clock until nearly 10 young and
old, men and women, stood listening
to the spirited challenge Of "Adeste
Ffdeles." the soft message of Holy
Night or the triumphant ring Of
that familiar old carol, "Hark, The her
sld angels sing. Glory to the newborn
KING 1t was a scene truly itting
the Importance of the occasion.
Remain Within Doors
Neither the President nor Mrs. Cool
idge ventured upon the portico dur
ing the singing. devoting it entirely
20 the choristers. their leader and
the two trumpeters of the United
States Marine Band who accompanied
dow to the left of the front door,
while the President occupied a win
dow on the left.
The crowd was permitted to stand
up to the very entrances of the por-
tico, White House police. secret sery-
ice men and detectives from city
headquarters being scattered around
10 prevent any undue crowding AS
a result. there was not the least con-
fusion The public was given the best
opportunity possible to See the sing
ers and the Presidents family. and
even after the closing strains OF the
last carol had foated out over the
treetops the people waited for ten
or hfteen minutes. hoping Mr. and
MRS. Coolidge would come out.
lowing carols: "Adeste Fideles,"
Draw, Nighe. Emmanuel" "a Virgin
Gentlemen" 20 Little Town 81 ot
Hethlehem:. The Shepherds Christ
First Noel, Joy to the World Holy
Night Sleep, Holy Babe" HOLY
Night, Peaceful Night" and "Hark, the
Herald Angels Sing"
Old Carol Wins Applause.
The Shepherds Christmas Song"
was sung by a young woman. with
hute obligato. Possessed of a remark
ably fine and rich voice, she render
wrung from the crowd prolonged and
much deserved applause. Beautiful as
were the carols sung by the choir
her contribution was. perhaps. the
most impressive achievement of the
evening.
Earlier in the evening the President
walked over to the Ellipse and. in the
presence Of large crowd. pressed
the button that turned the national
Christmas tree there into a flashing
Symbolic of the spirit of Christmas,
the worlds most joyful festival. the
tree will remain illuminated every
night until after New Year, the ma
tion's own Christmas tree.
Accompanied by several friends
President Coolidge walked from the
White House to the Ellipss at 5
o'clock. He was warmly greeted by
the crowd, posed for a battery Of
camera men and Immediately after
I " rot 70 ha
Executive Mansion to eat supper and
prepare for the carol celebration A
short while afterward there followed
a musical program rendered by the
choir of Epiphany Episcopal Church.
Celebration Mt Tree.
The celebration at the tree was
under the auspices of the Commu-
nifty Center Department of the public
schools. The. choir, which sang
carols, was led by a. ,Torovsky, its
Of musicians from the Marine Band.
At 7 o'clock the entire Marine Band.
led by Taylor Branson. second
leader, gave Christmas concert. The
crowd Joined at times in singing the
Just as the last minutes of the
dying day approached, the colored
community oenters of Washington
gather gathered d. around Stl1S the tree and vel
They, too, observed the occasion with
old carols, accompanied by their own
band. Rev DIR. Emory B. Smith,
president of Howard University, ad-
dressed them.
Not for many years has Washing
ton so joyously welcomed Yuletide
season on the eve of it's dawn. Men,
women and children of all creeds and
all races were present at one or all
of the celebrations. And each was
a celebration of joy and reverence
for the whole worlds great ami
versary.
TREE, MUSIC AND GIFTS
ON SALVATION ARMY