davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-24

haziest notions of where and when
the greatest event in history TOOK
place. Most of us are not certain
whether it all happened in Europe
Asia or Africa. The journey from
"the East" to Bethlehem is not
greatly different, in our minds, from
the trip made by Joseph and Mary
from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And
the position of Jerusalem is equally
vague. Let us cultivate a measure
of fact attitude toward the Christ
mas story.
First, suppose we locate the Magi's
home. 1t was down near where the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet in
lower Mesopotamia, perhaps in old
Babylon, or the vicinity OF modern
Bagdad, or little further east, with
in the confines of modern Persia.
The journey to Bethlehem was a
long one, a matter of weeks, for the
camels ordinary pace is only about
3 miles an hour. Doubtless the Wise
Men followed the old river road
which Abraham had taken. and so
to Damascus, and down to Jeru-
salem, which is but miles from
Bethlehem, passing through Caper-
naum, and possibly also Nazareth.
The route is long, hard one. how
ever taken, as I well know, for 1 have
been over it repeatedly The Nairn
Transport Co. now covers the dis
tance from Damascus to Bagdad in
about "a hours, using large, modern
automobile omnibuses. In a great
caravan, with many attendants, the
Wise Men traversed the route slowly,
at the speed of a camel's foot.
Star -Gazers and Seekers.
We know that the ancient scien-
lists were astrologers. seers and
seekers. They were an honored cult,
called Magi, or "Wisemen." They
possessed rank and wealth, as the
nature Of their gifts to Jesus makes
clear. The Magi were such as would
be received by King Herod They
were the scholars and teachers of
their time.
And they were seekers after all
truth, spiritual questers after the
meaning for man of natures mani
festations. An unusual occurrence
in the heavens-astronom has Of
fered many curious theories as to
what they saW-portended new
Evening star., 1938-12-24

reign by king arising in the west.
So, at great cost of money and labor,
they set out to follow the star.
To these immortal three, truth was
something to be pursued, and not
merely to be speculated about. With
them, the logical end of knowledge
was action. They were not of the
Athenian breed of brittle intellec-
tuals,' who merely talk and talk,
theorize and speculate, but do Moth
ing practical. Their vision of the
star led them to mount eamels and
follow its leading. Only such ever
find the King.
A Matter of Dates.
In ignorance and heedleSsness, art
and poetry have pictured the Maei
as visiting the Holy family in the
Bethlehem stable; even as they
also represent the shepherds as
seeing the star. The shepherds
never saw the star, and the Wise
Men never saw the stable. They ar
rived in Bethlehem long after the
Wondertale of the shepherds had
made Mary and Joseph and the
Babe honored guests in house,
probably of kinsman Matthews
story explicitly says they came to
the house; and with equal detail
makes it clear that, by the Wise
Mems computation, the time of the
birth may have been nearly two
years before their visit. The Babe
was old enough to be taken on the
long, hard journey to Egypt. The
gifts Of the worshipping Wise Men
made possible that escape.
Jealous Herods murder of all Dos
slble rivals after the Magi's report,
included all infants up to 2 years
of age. Probably the number was
not more than a score. Yet that
atrocity has since been the worlds
symbol of cruelty. In the light of
today's news, Herod was mere
amateur: Hitler and Mussolini and
Spain and Japan could give points
on how to conduct a wholesale
slaughter of the innocents.
Herod's Modern Rivals.
FOT at lnlS christmas season, we
confront the ugly truth that while
the world is full of spiritual seek
ers, and the Child of Bethlem has
more worshippers than ever before,
there is also abroad amidst the ma
tions the hate-filled spirit of Herod.
The cries of little Jewish children
and Jewish mothers, and of Chinese
children and Ethiopian children
surely do not go unheeded by the
Babe of Bethlehem who now reigns
in Heaven.
That is the supreme truth of this
Christmas lesson. Love is on the
throne. Although often disobedient,
mankind is yet to be conquered and
ruled by the love that was mani
tested by the Bethlehem manger.
God went the uttermost limit to
reveal His own nature of love. He
gave us Christ, whom the whole
world acclaims at Christmas, to ex-
press His love for us; and His will
that we should love one another.
Despite the frightful clamor OF war
and oppression, the Christmas bells
of peace and love are the dominant
sound in the world today.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Dr.. Marshall 10 Talk
On Madonna and Child

The Rev. DR.. Peter Marshall will
have for his subject, Madonna and
Child" at the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church tomorrow at IL
am. The program will include spe-
cial music by quartet, accompanied
by string music.
In place of the service at 8 pm.
a special Christmas vesper hour will
be held at pm. Dr.. Marshall will
speak on What Children Know"
He will be assisted by DR.. Albert
Evans, associate minister, and by
DR.. Andre Frank Liotard, minister
Of the French Congregation of
Washington. The program will in
clude special Christmas music.
On Thursday at 8 pm. prayer
service will be observed. DR.. Albert
Evans will have charge.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Chevy Chase M. (.

The Rev. Edward Gardiner Latch
will conclude special series of
Christmas sermons lasting through
the Sundays of December tomorrow
morning when he will have as his
subject THE Christmas Creed"
At the carol and candlelight serv-
ice tonight beginning at II pm. the
pastor will tell the Christmas story,
"The Other Wise Man." Misses
Elaine, Enrol Essex and Edward l..
Simpson will sing.
Members of the church school
have prepared IL Baskets to Lc
given to families.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
PEOPLES (Colored)

At the morning service the Rev.
A. F.. Elmes will deliver Christmas
message on Christmas Every
where" The Youth Groups meet at
5 and s o'clock. The Church school
will conduct their Christmas exer-
cises Monday night. The midweek
service Thursday will be led by the
minister.
Evening star., 1938-12-24

meeting and Christmas party last
Tuesday night. The newly organ-
ized Glee Club made its first public
appearance at this meeting.
The Florence M. Brown Glass OF
Calvary Baptist Church will present
the Christmas program tomorrow
morning at the adult department OF
the Sunday school. The adult
chorus will assist in the program.
The Brotherhood Class of Hamline
M. E. Church elected the following
officers: Frank Smith, president;
DR.. L. w. White, first vice president;
Theodore C. Lewis, second vice pres
ident; James F. Hatcher, secretary;
H. B. Linton, treasurer; William r.
Schmucker, song leader; Prof. c. H.
ONO, teacher.
The Vaughn Glass OF Calvary
Baptist Church will hold its annual
Christmas party next Tuesday eve
ming. Richard A. Sauer and Frank
Portillo are in charge of the pro-
gram, which will be for the families
of all class members, with presents
for the children.
Miss Prudence jackson will speak
to the adult department of Mount
Vernon Place M. E. Church South
tomorrow morning on The Angels
Song" The A. B. Pugh Glass will
have charge of the service at the
Women's Home for the Aged next
Tuesday at 7:3O pm. L. Herbert
Marting, chairman Of the Enter
tainment Committee, will be in
charge.
The newly organized Westminster
Conference Club" of the Disciples
of Christ denomination, will meet at
the home of Mr.. and Mrs. r. H. Felt
we'll, 1870 Oak street NV, next Fri
day evening.
The Pinkham Bible Glass of Ma
tional Baptist Memorial Church will
hold Christmas rally tomorrow
morning. "One hundred men pres
ent" is the goal. DR.. F. F. Briggs
will teach the lesson. The class will
be in charge of the service at the
Gospel Mission, 216 Fourth street
NV, Thursday night. w. s. Ander-
son is chairman of the ALLY Christ
mas program" which will be held by
the class.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
CapitOl View (COlored) .

The Rev. j. Clarke Griffin will
preach on "No Room in the Inn"
The choir will present Christmas
cantata at pm. The young peo-
pies meeting will be at pm. Miss
Thelma Scott will be the leader.
The annual Christmas program of
the Sunday school will be on Thurs
day night. Prayer meeting will be
Tuesday night.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Transformation.

Christmas services will be at mid
night Christmas eve and at 7:30 and
IL am. Christmas Day. The Rev.
J. j. Queally will be assisted by the
Rev. w. H. Heigham. At the mid
night service the senior choir will
furnish the music and the junior
choir will sing at the II o'clock
service.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
St, Andrews,

What Really Happened at Beth
lehem" will be the subject of the
Christmas sermon at II am. by the
Rev. Alfred J. Wilder. There will be
special festival music. Holy COM
munion will be celebrated at am,
the Junior choir singing the carols.
The Sunday school party will take
place in the parish hall on Monday
at 3 pm.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Zion Lutheran Church
YuIe Service at $50

The Christmas service at Zion
Lutheran Church will be held at
$50 am. The Rev. Edward G.
Goetz will preach on This Day"
The Sunday school will have a spe-
cial Christmas service at GAS am
The Sunday school Christmas en-
tertainment will be held on Tuesday
at 7:30 pm.
The New Year service will be
held January l at II am, when the
pastor will speak on The Untrod-
den Path"
Holy communion will be admins
tered January at II am. The
pastors brief meditation will be
Two IT," New members will be
received,
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Zion, Southwest (Colored).

The Rev. Joseph Edwards will
preach Sunday morning on "The
Joy OF Christmas" At 1880 pm. the
choir, under the leadership of Jennie
Greene Smith, will feature Christ
mas carols, followed by the COM
munion service. The Rev. Mr.. Ed
wards will preach on 1.-The Joy of
Calvary"
Evening star., 1938-12-24

spirit OF CnflSt-
mas, the spirit
of Christian civ
ilization, has re-
turned to the
ancient land of
Persia to make
it over into the
modern Iran.
We could do
with a deal more
geography a n d
C h 70 nology in
our considera-
ton of Christ
mas. Nine out
of ten persons
have OnlV the
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Mount Moriah (Colored)

DR.. j. Harvey Randolph will
preach at II am. on "The Messiah
of Prophecy and His Mission" and
at 7:30 pm. on while I Was Busy"
Tuesday evening the church will
hold its annual membership prayer
service and on Thursday, 8 pm, the
Sunday school will hold its Christ
mas exercises.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Retreat League

The Washington Retreat House
will maintain open house over the
holidays from Friday evening until
Monday evening for all women
wishing to take advantage of the
spiritual atmosphere provided There
will be midnight mass on Christmas
Eve in the chapel, celebrated by the
Franciscan Friars of the monastery.
Early Christmas morning there will
be remembrances to the guests from
the Franciscan Sisters of the Atone
ment, who have supervision of the
Retreat House, from the Santa
Claus bag.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Second iCnlOrndl

DR.. j. L. S. Holloman will preach
at II am. on Jesus Is ALL" In
the evening the senior choir will
conduct a song service. The Christ
mas entertainment for TIM Bible
school and Baptist Young Jeople's
Union will be given on Tuesday at
7 pm.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Good Will (Colored) .

There will be a Christmas service
at 6 am. At II am. DR.. James l..
Pinn will speak on mo Room in the
Inn The choir, directed by Les
Williams, will render a special pro-
gram. In the evening there will be
exercises by the Sunday school, di-
rected by Miss Marion Suber.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
St. Marks.

Christmas services. The theme of
the Rev. j. Luther Frantz at II a m.
will be The Night the Angels Sang"
The Sunday schoolsa Christmas
service will be held at = pm, with
the superintendent, Austin Cooper,
In charge. Members Of the school
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Rehnhoth lColoredl.

Had the Innkeeper Only Known
will be the topic of the Rev. Mr.
Johnson's Christmas Eve message
tonight from II to II o'clock. The
church chorus will furnish the
music. At the morning service Sun
day his theme will be How Far to
Bethlehem" or "The Star Of Ex-
pectancy." Christmas music. Watch
night services will be held next Sat-
urday night.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Mckinley Memorial (Colored)

DR.. Sheriah Lamkins will preach
at II am. on GLORY to God in the
Highest" and at 8 pm. on Unto
Us Child Is Born, Unto Us a Son
Is Given" Children's program on
Monday at $3.50 pm. Prayer meet
ing Tuesday at 8 pm.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
A Lesson for the Week
Slaughter of Innocents'
By Herod Now Amuteurish
BY WILLIAM r. ELLIS,

One day had the good fortune the Church Nativity
IN Bethlehem all to myself There other visitors
solemn period down in the where Jesus
wandering about the edhcethe Christian world
when there entered through the little patarcha
with flowing Boards large turbans robes
For moment startled had appariton
the Three Wise Men from the East again Bethlehem
until the other members of their entered did
recalled from
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Lutheran

Christmas eve midnight service,
II pm. Sermon topic, "The Glory
of God Revealed in the Birth of the
Christ Child, Services will be held
on Christmas Day-German, $50
am; English, II am. Topic, 'The
Glory of the Word Made Flesh"
Children's Christmas service at 7
pm.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
McKendree.

Christmas service at II am. in
the Masonic Hall at Rhode Island
and Mills avenues NE. Christmas
music by the choir and q Christmas
sermon by the Rev. Samuel E. Rose
on "The Christmas Sign"
The Young Peoples League will
conduct midnight service today, be-
ginning at 1880 pm, and will hold
its Christmas service tomorrow at
7:30 pm, to which all are invited.
Christmas entertainment by the
Sunday school in the Langdon
Church on Wednesday evening.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Mount Bethel (ColOred) .

DR.. K. w. Roy will preach Sunday
at IL am. on Gods Christmas Gift
to the World; 8 pm, Christmas
program by the junior choir; Tues
day night, prayer meeting; Thurs
day, young folks meeting.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
News of the Bible Glasses
Activities Of Interest to
LocoI Organizations
BY PAGE NICK. ETCHISON,
President Organized Bible Class Association

adult Bible classes
School elected officers follows Loyal Women Class Gladys
Ward president Mrs Lucille president
Sunday morning secretary Mrs Clara Lamph recording
Mrs Lena cameal treasurer r. Vennng teacher Florence
MITCHELL assistant teacher Class Caroline
president Mrs Pearl Smith, president; Adene
ay Mrs Lulu Green Sunday morning secretary; Miss Rider
A. L.
Griffin president president
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Third (COlOred).

Christmas will be observed tomor-
row. DR.. George O. Bullock's topic
in the morning will be The Worlds
Greatest Christmas Gift" and in the
evening, Source Of All Peace"
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Union.

DR.. John r. Edwards will preach
tomorrow at II o'clock on THE
Morning Star" Christmas music.
A class will be received into the
church. Christmas exercises, under
auspices of the church school, choir,
Epworth League and congregation,
will take place at 6 pm. Pictures
of the Holy Land will be shown by
s. H. Breidenbach, superintendent
of the church school.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Friendship (Colored) :.

Peace and Good Will" will be the
subject Of the Rev. B. H. Whiting
at II am. A special Christmas
program will be rendered by the
Senior choir at pm. Prayer serv-
ice at am.
Students of the Washington Bap-
tist Seminary will hold special serv-
ices at the church Christmas Eve
from 1890 to IL pm. The North
Baltimore Spiritual Singers will
have charge of the Christmas serv-
ice Monday night.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Trinidad (COlOred).

The Rev. S. D. Franklin will
preach at 1l:30 am. on Gods
Love for a Perishing World" At 6
am. prayer meeting, led by Deacon
John Anderson. At pm. Rev. DR..
A. S. George will be the guest
speaker on preparedness.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Congress- HeiRhts.

Celebration OF the advent of the
Christ will begin at II pm. today,
with the presentation Of THE Story
IN Word and Song" A program will
be given in each department Of the
church school at 9:45 am. tomorrow.
At IL am. the choir will furnish
special music, and the subject of the
sermon will be "Out of the Eternal"
In the evening the young peoples
service at Z o'clock will be followed
by a special service arranged by
Miss Helen Yearer, the organist, and
presented by the Children's Vested
Choir.
Evening star., 1938-12-24

will present the pageant The
Christmas Star"
The supper meeting Of the Young
Women's Missionary Society will be
at the home Of their sponsor, Mrs.
w. w. Wilson, 731 Quackenbos
street, at pm. Wednesday.
Georgetown.
Christmas eve services, the Rev.
Harold E. Beatty, pastor, begin at
II pm.
THE Word Made Flesh" will be the
subject OF the Christmas message
tomorrow at II am. Services and
program by the Sunday school at 7
pm, directed by Joseph c. WINNER.
Music sung by junior carolers.
Methodist Episcopal
Brookland.
The Rev. j. M. Gillum will have
as his subject Sunday morning THE
Significance of the Journey of the
Wise Men to Bethlehem The
young pepole's department will have
charge of the service at 7:3O pm,
depicting the spirit Of giving in a
pageant entitled "A White Gift
Service"
On Wednesday at 7::30 the junior
and intermediate departments will
give their annual Christmas enter
tainment.
Ryland.
Christmas With the Shepherds"
is the Rev. Mr.. Newell's theme at
II am. A candlehght carol serv-
ice will be held at 7:45 pm. in
the church room, 1904 Branch ave-
nue. Sc. Music by the young peo-
pies choir. Sunday school in the
new location at 9:45 am.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Chanel of the Redeemer,

There will be Christmas eve serv-
ice at 9 pm, with special music
rendered by the choir Of Grace Epis-
copal Church, under the direction OF
Glenn Carow, organist and choir
master. Tomorrow at $50 am.
there will be celebration Of the
holy communion, with sermon by
the Rev. M. M. Perkins.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Episcopal
st. Dayid's Chanel.

The topic for Christmas eve and
Christmas Day is Majesty in a
Manger." The eve service begins at
II pm. and will consist largely Of
hymns and carols, with a,tbrief ad-
dress, and include the holy COM
munion. The Christmas Day serv-
ices will be: 3 an, holy communion
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Vermont Avenue (Coloredl

At $50 am. Christmas prayer
service. At II am. the Rev. G. T.
Murray will deliver special Christ
mas message. At 11:20 am. the
Rev. T. Ewell Hopkins, director Of
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Emmanuel (Colored) .

The Rev. F. D. Thornton will
preach at 11:30 am. on THE Deity
of Christ"
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Plymouth (COlOred).

The subject of the Christmas ser
mon of the Rev. Arthur D. Gray will
be Great Expectations" Christmas
music.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
East Washington HEIGHTS.

The church at worship and study
will meet in a combination service
at 1890, when the Rev. Glenn B.
Faucet will speak on Our Response
to Gods Love-" At pm. the young
peoples societies will meet with the
church at worship, when the pastor
will tell the story of THE Other Wise
Man" Colored slides will be used.
Evening star., 1938-12-24

Lincoln (Colored).

AiHCOlH NSOlOreQD.
Special Christmas services tomor-
row morning. DR.. r. w. Brooks
will speak on mo Room in NV
House of Life" The vested chorus
choir will sing. The Mems Brother
hood at 10 am. will be led by Mr..
Claude G. Young in the discussion,
THE Spirit Of Christmas"
On Friday evening the Sunday
school will present a Christmas
play, "The Light on Beacon Hill"
Edward Wills, student in the How
ard University Law School, will di-
rect the play. Prayer service, reg
ularly held on Thursday evening,
will be omitted in lieu of the ar
nual watch service Saturday night,
beginning at 1890 o'clock. A con-
secration period will be observed
from 1890 to II o'clock. At IL
o'clock the pastor will speak on
"The Significance of a Changing
Year"
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Waugh.

DR.. @. Ellis Williams, superinten-
dent Of the Washington district
will preach at i o'clock on "The
First Christmas. - The senior and
Junior choirs under the direction Of
(See ACTIVITIES. page A-I2y
Evening star., 1938-12-24
+ Activities in Washinqton Churches

the Junior church, will preach. At
8 pm. Christmas message, Around
the Manger." The Sunday school
will hold its annual Christmas exer-
ciSeS,
Evening star., 1938-12-24

Brown, ST., Is
S u p erintendent
OF the adult de-
partment of the
Sunday school.
The Mems Bible
Glass will hold a
business meeting
ext Tuesday
evening, W he n
the officers will
be installed.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
Park View,
Fifteenth Street,

Christmas at IL o'clock, sermon by
the Rev. Leslie L. Bowers on THE
Word Made Flesh" Christmas mu-
sic by the choir. The youth group
Will present Christmas candlelight
service at $50 pm. in the church
auditorium,
Evening star., 1938-12-24

The Mizpah Glass OF Hamline M
E. Church held a business meeting
last Wednesday night at the home Of
Miss Blanch Smith. A social fol-
lowed, at which refreshments were
served.
Evening star., 1938-12-24

destruction at the hands OF the con-
quering Persians by the mosaic rep
resentation on the wall of the visit
of the Magi: This place is not
Christian, but Persian" said the
aWe-stricken invaders. Thus again
and again the birthplace of Jesus
was linked with Persia. "the East"
of Matthews chronicle. Now the
Evening star., 1938-12-24
G0rNuch.

The Rev. Rich&fd T. Schall will
preach Sunday at II am. on '"The
Prince Of Peace" Epworth League
Evening star., 1938-12-24

meets at 7 pm, when a special
service will be held. At 8 pm. a
Christmas candlelight service will
be held. Neither the Loyal Legion
nor the midweek service will be
held.
Evening star., 1938-12-24
COncord-Cabin John.

Concord Cabin John.
At Concord, Christmas anniver-
sary for church and Sunday school
at pm.
AT Cabin John, Sunday school at
10 am, Sunday school Christmas
anniversary at pm.
Lincoln Road.
Christmas Day celebration will be-
gin at am, when a group will
leave the church and sing the
Christmas carols in the neighbor-
hood until 6 am. Light breakfast
served by the Baraca-Philathea
Glass from 6 to $50. At $50 there
will be the traditional Christmas
morning service with anthems by
the choir, and Miss Phebe Slime will
sing. The message by DR.. R. H.
Stone will be on christmas Every
where" At II an, with seats re-
served for the upper classes of the
church school, Christmas anthems
by the choir, and the sermon, "The
Sweetest Story Ever Told" At 8
pm. the Brotherhood will have
charge, with a Christmas program,
with H. v. Smith Of the United
Brethren Church bringing the mes
sage, and DR.. c. M. Wright leading
IN the prayer. Singing of the Christ
mas carols will be a feature of all
services.
Evening star., 1938-12-24

Sunday morning secretary; Mrs.
Frances Aldridge, treasurer; Mrs. G.
E. Nordeen, teacher. Elton H.