“The
joyous festival of Christmas, commemorative of Christ’s birth in the stable of
Bethlehem, was fittingly observed in many of the city churches yesterday, where
special services appropriate to the Yuletide season and its glorious traditions
were conducted.”
Hamilton Spectator. December 26, 1914.
After a one day’s pause, the Hamilton
daily newspapers were back in business on Boxing Day.
Several articles appeared capturing
the feel of Hamilton on Christmas day, 1914.
One focused on a few of the many
special church services held across the city that day:
“The majority of Hamiltonians attended
some service.
“The Presbyterians united in a join
service, conducted at Central Presbyterian church at 10:30 a.m. :
“Rev. J. R. Fraser,
of Uxbridge, who spent with the Rev. Dr. Drummond, preached a forceful and
inspiring sermon, taking as his text Matthew 2 : 4-5, ‘ And
when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together,
he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for
thus it is written by the prophet”
“In
beginning, the speaker said that every town, ancient or of the present day, had
its traditions and it was believed the character of the townspeople was moulded
by these traditions. So it was with Bethlehem, that town which was replete with
the most glorious traditions in the world’s history.
“The speaker
referred to the many times Bethlehem was mentioned in the Bible, and he touched
on the burial of Rachael, the story of Ruth, David and finally the birth of
Jesus Christ.
“Mr.
Fraser said that the general idea of Christmas was a mistaken one. Most people
celebrated it believing it commemorated something that was past. This, he said,
was wrong for Christ was continually coming to His people, coming daily, hourly
and every moment.
“Referring
to the awful war, the speaker said that he was afraid there was too much
sentiment being injected into it by the non-participants. It is true that there
was a great element of sadness, but better that than bitter, ignoble peace.
“Christians
should rejoice, he said, that out of all this chaos there would finally come
the great peace that would be everlasting.
“The
offering will be turned over to the United Relief association to relieve
distress in the city.”1
1 “
What Christmas Season Means : Re. J. R. Fraser Speaks at United Presbyterian
Service : Thinks Great and Lasting Peace Will Follow War.”
Hamilton
Spectator. December 26, 1914.
At the
very same time the Central Presbyterian Church began its Christmas morning
service, an event at the King George school began:
“The
members of the Hamilton Conservative association were busy men yesterday
morning from 10:30 until after one o’clock, when their plan of giving a
Christmas dinner to five hundred of the city’s children was carried out in a
most capable manner.”2
2 “Over
Five Hundred Kiddies Had Merry Time : Guests of Conservatives at King George
School : Christmas Dinner and Gifts For Everyone : Prominent Men and Women
Acted as Waiters”
Hamilton
Spectator. December 26, 1914.
Word that
a meal and gifts would be given to children had spread widely during the last few
days Christmas :
“Long
before the hour set for the event, lines of children trooped up the broad stairways
of the King George school on Gage avenue, and were passed along to the various
class rooms, where refreshments were to be served.
“Four of
the commodious rooms were filled, a kiddie was seated at every desk, as well as
the open floor spaces being filled, Along the main hall of the second story,
which runs the entire width of the school, was set one long table with a cross
table adjoining at the open stairway, and here several hundred other children
were served.
“In all,
something over five hundred children enjoyed the Christmas meal provided by the
generosity of the Hamilton Conservative association.”2
It was a
major effort to serve all those children, all members of the association were
kept busy, and fortunately many of their wives and lady friends were present to
assist.
The
dessert was especially tricky to serve quickly:
“The best
efforts were required to keep the small boys supplied with ice cream, a
delicacy in great demand as the finishing touch to a beautiful dinner. Huge
pitchers of coffee were emptied with rapidity, and great plates of cakes and
goodies disappeared just as quick, while a number of husky aldermen and
ex-aldermen were kept busy toiling over the large cans of ice cream, one of
them was heard to remark that ‘he hadn’t worked as hard in months.’
“Following
the dinner, the children and their parents, of which there were a large number
present, were lined up and passed down the side stair, and as they went down
received a large bag of candies, nuts, oranges and other goodies to take home.
On reaching the ground floor, every child was presented with a pair of
stockings and a pair of mitts.”2
Hamilton
Mayor Allan was out and about the city on Christmas day. His visit to the
police station on Sherman avenue was scheduled to be brief, but he graciously
decided to stay and help the workers distribute gifts to the large number of
children who went there after hearing that there were still toys available.
Mayor
Allan paid a “flying visit” to the House of Refuge, accompanied by Controller
Thomas Jutten who was chair of the City Hall committee which oversaw operations
at the home for the elderly:
“The usual
Christmas spread tendered the aged inmates of the institution had just been
finished. The visitors wished everyone present a merry Christmas and spent a
little time in talking to the inmates of the home.
“In the
afternoon, the mayor was busy distributing gifts in West Hamilton, but he was
most impressed with his visit to the house of refuge.
“ ‘It made
one’s heart ache to see those folk,’ he said, ‘and they were really glad to see
us. I think they all felt rather pleased.’ ”3
3 “Mayor
Allan Put in Busy Holiday : Attended Many Distributions of Christmas Cheer :
Much Impressed With Scene at the Refuge.”
Hamilton
Spectator. December 26, 1914
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