Editorial Page of Tft Journal
SATURDAY. DBCBMBBR SI, ItOt,
PORTLAND. OREGON.
1
vi aw-"-
i
THE OREGON D AIXY
AN
C . JACKSON
Published every evening except Sunday
THE PASSING OF
IN A FEW HOURS the year 1904 will have ceased
to be time present and will have become the nearest
portion of that great aggregation of time called the
ljr;lAhat stretches backward beyond our ken. where we
nav imagine it merges into the anterior eternity, ine
moment that ends one year and begins another is a
a . 1 -1 -. . ... ..... natural tkiri -i n l'
purely arbitrary selection, nm ,
" 1 lher moment might be; hence only man, who divided
time f.r convenience sake, pays any heed to it. But to
mankind, this moment in the annual revolution of the
earth around the sun when the dock strikes the midnight
hour has through long custom and association of ideas
attained a real importance.
The closing hours of a year, which is itself a natural
unit of time, as is the day, afford an appropriate period
for pausing, reflecting, reviewing, re-considering, taking
stock of the vanishing year's doings, contemplating the
outlook of the new year that will have sped a flight of
several hours ere most of us awake.
Long custom has made the passing of a year and the
beginning of another an event of varied interest to many.
f. The new year's advent mtTIfS the termination of the
year-end holidays, of which, next to Christmas, New
if Year's day is the chief; it is a time of pleasure for chil--
ijren. of social amenities, of interest to all, and with some
marks, simply because a new year begins, the beginning
f a better life. May this be the case
morrow.
The ear 1004. to which we bid an
night, has been, taken all in all, about
the world, in the nation, in the state and city. Much lias
happened to cause regret and sorrow, much to occasion
pleasure and rejoicing the same old
Ti in the crand asrcreirate of events
upward, forward tendency of the human race, as we be
lieve is possible, we rray console ourselves with the belief
that mankind was noj crested in vain, and that a little of
his godward destiny has been this year wrought out.
To Oregon the vanishing year has on the whole been
kind though not so agreeable as some. We might have
ordered some different weather; in portions of the state
we would have desired better crops; there are many who
'have suffered from accident or disease; but in these re
spects we are no worse off than the people of all other
states, and better off than those of most.
In Portland, as well as in the state, scandals have de
veloped and dishonesty has been busy with temporary
success, but much material and we believe much moral
progress also has been made more than in any former
year, and the year leaves Portland, and Oregon, and all.
the Pacific northwest, with brighter prospects than were
disclosed by the departure of any preceding year. So
there is ground for bidding 1904 a farewell tonight with
out bitterness or animosity, and welcoming 1905 with
high hope, courage and confidence.
. We say to you, 1904, a kind good night. Qn arising to
the duties of a new day we will bid 1005 a cheery good
morning. eT
PORTLAND AND IRRIGATION.
O ME NEWSPAPERS published
regions! where the irrigation question is of para
: r mount local interest, criticised the late national
litigation fongresa for selecting. Portland, which lieseji-
ly oui&de th arnJ-rrwKvnv Tor the
L nt the mnirns and if some of the
jrere here for the pasr fw days, or
vvihler months, tlVey would be confirmed in their notion
that Portland is not a suitable irrigation convention
,'town. ,
F - -e-r
, But the delegates wanted to see the Lewis and Clark
fair next year, and visit the chief
northwest, and so decided to come to Portland. The de
cision was wise, or' at . least not obnoxious to the criti
cism made, fof irrigation can be talked, and plans, proj
ects and results discussed, a well at Portland as at
Denver, Salt Lake or Boise. And while Portland is not
within or very near the arid districts of this and ad
jacent states that may be irrigated, this city is deeply
and vitally interested in the subject of irrigation, and in
all the irrigation projects in eastern Oregon, Idaho,
Washington, and even in other states and territories,
i'ortland is a seaport of growing importance; a great part
of the products of the irrigated districts will be shipped
here, and of the merchandise consumed by the pro
ducers will be purchased here. Hence no city of the
western country is more vitally interested in the prosecu
tion and success of all irrigation projects than Portland.
But Portland's active interest is as yet not commen
surate with the vast importance of the subject, and the
meeting of the irrigation congress here next summer
may and should help to stimulate a more lively and en
thusiastic interest among Portlanders in the subject of
irrigation.
It is only about two and a half years since the passage
of the act which placed the irrigation of arid western
lands not already appropriated under government con
trol. It is complained that the government moves too
slowly, but the people must have patience. This is a new
and a large job, and haste on the government's part can
not be expected. A great amount of technical data in
general, and with regard to each proposed project, must
be obtained. It is better to move slowly and succeed
vith what is underniken than to make a failure, for most
eastern people and their representatives in congress hare
scant sympathy with the movement, and would be glad
of an excuse in oppose it But in every possible way
Portland people should encourage and aid this great
LADT AJTD
1VAOM.
From the New York Sun.
This stony Is rold among the depart -men
store sleuths of an alleged episode
of this rush season. A man pushed Into
a crowded store, wiping his brow, and
lmted in the ear of one of the floor d-
tctlvs:
I "Re that woman, Oeorg the clever
1 1 looking one In the black dress?" Indicat
or ing a woman who hsd just entered the
I tor.
I org saw her.
"Well.'' said the perspiring stranger,
ft 'watch ber; she's the limit, she's Just
I come from our store We know her;
I'll!1. lITfn Jimoiin hit- Ram- IUH1 A'lf
some tune; she'll load up like a pack
horse if yon give her a chance. T'v
piped her off l the afternoon and have
shadowed her up here. Watch her, I tell
u "
The woman In black approached a
counter on which waa a display of lacs
handkerchiefs and. looking around . cau
ilouelv. sllDped about haf a dosen of
. them under her cloak.
Vht' I tell you, tjeorge- l-ipe ner.
asld th sleuth from the other stor. as
he nudged Oorge In the ribs.
From the Isce handkerchief counted
Ire woman In black vlsiiea tn sua nos-
, . .mnlr and then went to severs!
... J.t.rnualt- Ceora-C With
iv.ii. I , - - -
- ,.-.. . r ami ai a convent-
t d Is tan The woman, wnn u.
INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
PUBLISHED BY JOURNAL PUBLISHING CO.
) and every Sunday morning at The
streets, Portland, Oregon.
OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE CITY OF PORTLAND
1904. 1
movement, that is destined to add immensely to the prod
ucts and wealth of the west.
Senator Clark of Montana recently stated that the 50,
000.000 acres which will be rendered arable by irrigation
(though it is estimated by experts that over 100,000,000
acres can thus be made productive) will support 30,000,
000 people. If this be a correct estimate, irrigation
means 20,000,000 more people in the west, besides the
natural increase, within a few years, a large proportion'
of them producers from the soil, and many of these
people will form an important factor in the future devel
opment of Oregon and of Portland.
Of the many national contentions that will meet in
Portland next year none is of more importance than the
irrigation congress, and especial preparations should be
made for its entertainment, and to show Portland's ap
preciation of. the importance of irrigation.
JOHN HALL'S REMOVAL.
SENSATION crowds on the heels of sensation so
fast do they follow. All eyes have been fixed
,,,,,,,, tl,,. te.lcrnl lmmikI iurv a the storm center.
Out of that body have come many sensations, so many
in fact that the public rather rashly concluded sensations
could not come or at least were nt to be expected from
any other quarter.
With all eye fixed on the federal court a thunderbolt
i hurled from Washington. It is contained in the an
nouncement of the removal or United States Attorney
Hall. M-HM received a recess appointment to his of
fice and it was then commonly accepted as a fact that he
was in for good. The congressional delegation had di
vided two to two on the appointment which was long
with-many to
eternal farewell to
an average year, in
overdue. In that
to the rescue and
story ot every year.
appointments they must again be made when congres re
convenes. It was significantly noticeable that the presi
we can detect an
dent failed to send to the senate for confirmation the
nomination of. Mr. Hall which he had seemed so bent on
making only a few months before. This gave the wise
ones their first intimation that things might not be as
they seemed. Relatively feV, however, had any thought
of such radical action.
It is only another indication that all branches of the
government are working in foil accord in the matter of
the land fraud investigation. That is now paramount to
all other considerations and it is apparent that nothing
will be allowed to stand in the way. It is evident that
Mr Hall was in
otherwise he would
with reference to him only makes it all the more apparent
that all federal officials are expected to do their full duty
no matter what interests become involved and those who
fail will receive short shrift, ;
TOO FREE WITH LICENSES.
THE CITY COUNCIL, and especially the license
committee thereof, in view of their authority in
the matter, owe to Portland the imoortant duty
of denying liquor
the worst and most lawless dives of the city and ot re
quiring a stricter regulation of soma others to whom
licenses may be granted.
Present conditions- are a shameful disgrace to the city,
ami must nbt.bjs tolerated during the coming year. A
number of dive-keepers make scarcely a pretense of coni
forming to thejawgnd Appearjto know that they are not
to be seriously molested. Audacious robberies in some
in the semi-a rial
next meeting-place
drv country neonle
during the present
manifestly exist principally for the purpose of- robbing
fools; and yet they are licensed to carry on their "busi
ness," namely, a series of crimes.
It is said "Bob" Patterson and J. B. Moore will not
be granted a license, but judging the future by the past
it. will not be many weeks, or days, until they are again
engaged in their occupation of thuggery and thievery.
If not, we shall give due credit to that extent. But there
are some others of the same type who will apparently
be permitted to conduct their illegal and horrible de
bauching resorts, and now is the time to shut them off
and drive them out of existence.
"The city needs the money." Yes, it needB money, but
it cannot afford to take money from such people and for
such purposes. It would be a better policy to raise the
license to $500 or $600 a year, which would shut out few
if any saloons and would bring in as much additional
revenue as would be lost by refusing licenses to the
bandits of the slum saloon business.
THE PORTAGE ROAD.
city of the Pacific
THE CONTRACT Mr the builditrg of the portage
road has been signed, the bonrjof the contractors
has been accepted and filed and work will begin
at once. There is no event which so radically marks the
new era that has dawned for Portland and Oregon. Here
is a public undertaking which means much for the whole
state, but very much more proportionately for certain
sections. Yet the whole state cheerfully taxes itself for
the enterprise. The amount originally appropriated was
found to be insufficient. People interested got together
and pledged the amount needed to complete the job and
wet the work finished on time. It was a delicate and
difficult undertaking. It ran counter Mo certain heavy
interests and had nothing to commend it but the fact that
it wis for 'the general good. A few years ago it would
have been impossible to have gotten it through.
The fact that it is safely landed at last is in the high
est degree gratifying and as we have said distinctly
marks the new era of energy, self reliance and doing
things which is now upon us. ,
started to leave th store, not only had
a load under her loose-fitting cloak, but
her pocket were bulging.
"Leave her to me, Oeorge. I knew her
game. I'll get hr for both of us," said
the visiting sleuth. "Tou stand her at
the door." i '
Oeorge stood at th door for five min
utes. Then he went out Into th cold
world and la still looking for:
1 The woman.
1 The. otber sleuth.
t A Job.
WHAT A LOOK " IB WOITI.
According to figure ' printed by the
Insurance Press, there ar blocks tn
New York City in which 116. 000.000
worth of property would be-destroyed
If swept by fir. Chicago. Philadelphia
and Newark come next with blocks
valued -at IS. 000.000 each. Host on and
St, Louts have block worth I7.oon.oo0.
and nearly two sabre other cities, can
show similar propertl at values rang
ing from 11.000.000 M.000.000
In a tnble showing the rank of states
as tuyra of fire insurance,. New York
easily leads with mora than 14,000,00ft,-
0 a yr. while Illinois. Pennsylvania
and Massachusetts buy protection for
more tharn $1.00,0,000 worth of prop
erty.
JOURNAL
JNO. P. CARROLL,
Journal Building, Fifth and Y
.
apparent emergency the president came
nominated Hall. In the case of recess!
some way regarded as an impediment,
not have been disturbed. The action
licenses to the proprietors of some of
f theae-dens of vice.ja! of almost daily occurfe'hee'; Thej
LOTTEBT OT A PIAT.
From the London Chronlcl.
"Charley'a Aunt" waa offered to sev
eral managers, but they uniformly de
clined It, and Mr. Thomas had in despair
to sack the assistance of a elty financier.
This gentleman put about (1,000 ($6,000)
into the venture, an investment which
hae alnce yielded him no less than .17.
000 (1186,000). For the author It has
been equally productive. Royalties
amounting to fl.000 have sometimes
accrued to him In on week. Since It
wa first produced In the most modest
way at a theatre In Bury, St. Edmunds
in February, 1892, the comedy has never
ceased being played on lawful days.
It has now reached Its one hundred end
twenty-one "thousand five hundred and
tenth performance, a figure never be
fore attained by any theatrical produc
tion. "Charley's Aunt" has been translated
Into French, German. Russian and mod
ern Greek. la all our colonies, in India,
In the French colony of Hainan, In
China, In Hongkong, in Japan, In the
backwoods of America, Into every civ
ilised corner on the earth. 'Charley's
Aunt" ho penetrated companies hav
nrrled her Into the mining Mrflii of
California nnd the Klondike and, to the
...t 1 on fields of Louisiana. Mr. Brandon
Thomas, the author of this successful
fsree. was born In Liverpool, and wss
1 at first apprenticed to a shipwright.
, , . s.-
Small Change j
BrowneU may conclude to
fliers are no antls in Japan.
Mill (A. 14) will grind no dirty grist.
"HlW facs) la growing sharp and thin."
Tonight begins a big yaar for Oregon.
Tom seems to bo taking a holiday
rest.
Eggs arc not healthy for poor fam
ilies. Going to watch the old ouf"e,nd- the
new In'.'
Last chance this evening for leap-year
proposals.
St. Johns has reason to be proud of
Its newspaper.
Kuyksndall and Kay would bs allit
erative, at least.
Let th scandals b cleaned up by the
time the fair opens.
Will the legislature sustain th law
defying ftsh warden?
Unci Chauncey Is happy. What the
price was la not reported.
The portage road will be on of the
big accomplishments of 1901.
Next Monday holiday nonsense cease
and the business of 1905 begin.
It Is no us wishing everybody a
happy new year; some ran t have it.
Nineteen bundled ana four deserves a
kind farewell. 1906 a warm welcome.
A Sunday New Year's should b a
good day to make a good beginning. "
No church row would b worth men
tioning without a woman at th bottom
of It. .
Odll has decided to elect Depew. The
legislature, still less the people of New
York, have no say In th case.
Does anybody know how many more
shell-forts Japan will have to crack be
fore getting at th Port Arthur nut
meat T
It is aald that cooks are paid more
than teachers. But si Owen Meredith
wrote, we can live without books, but
not without cooks.
All Oregon should spruce up next year,
so as to make a good showing to visit
ors. If everybody Wtll do a little, a
great change can be enacted.
The latest consumption cur Is simply
eating a great deal. But soma con
sumptives can't get the stuff to eat,
and others can't sat it If they have it.
Perdlearts has sent out a sensational
statement from 'Constantinople to th
effect that Sultan Abdul Ha mid will
soon be assassinated or deposed. Per
haps peripatetic Perdlcarls Is bobbing
Into notice for the purpose of btng
kldnpd again and rescued by Uncle
Sara.
The policy of congress seems to be to
appropriate about enough money for the
Columbia river Jetty every two years
or so to repair the work done since the
former appropriation was made and
destroyed by storms and ao to eat up
the money and accomplish little or
nothing..
Oregon Sidelights
A third shingle mill ha been built on
Applegate creek.
Coyote hunting Is a favorite sport
around Enterprise.
Th logging Industry around Clatska
nl Is very active.
Rip rapbrrls and trawbrii be
coming acarc In Oragon.
Tillamook editor ar still abusing on
another poor way to build up a town.
Th year goes out with more fall crops
In th ground In Oregon than vsr be
fore - N -.j
Eastern Oregon la whit, western Ore
gon Is wt; all th same good, for next
summer.
Any one can find plenty Of fin skat
ing by going over to I.akevlew and per
haps nearer.
Th Sprgy Courier objects strongly to
the frequent practice of shooting on the
streets of that town.
All over Oregon the people are confi
dent of good times In 1I0E, and so will
give the new year a glad greeting.
The harder th winter back east, thai
greater 1 will be the number of people
there who will want to hit th Oregon
trail next summer.
Fog was so thick near Spray one day
thl week that a farmer claims that be
missed the road and drove right across
a deep canyon on the fog.
"Orant county grass for Grant county
stock" Is the determined slogan of Grant
county stockralsers. But it ahould not
echo In murdering gtln reports.
People of Silver Lake hav raised a
bonus of nearly $400 to Indue a North
Dakota, doctor to locat there isn't a
bonus to a doctor for coming to a town
a new thing under the sun?
. Oregon newspaper ar almost with
out exception giving earnest and sealous
support to the Lewis and Clark fair,
and urging the people of their respective
counties to make good exhibits
The Houlton Register aays Columbia
county needs aa independent telephone
line, to run to several places mentioned,
and aaya It can b put up for 1300. of
which the Register will subscribe ftO.
During 1904 there hav been erected
In Woodbum 26 residence buildings, four
brick buildings, a II vary barn, a ware
house and four barns, and a large num
ber of additions to houses have been
made. '
Eastern Oregon welcome lot of
snow. It Is good for miners aa well aa
farmers. Th Raker City Democrat
aaya that part of th state without snow
In winter Is like a cow without a tall
In fly Hm. V
Th nervals Star says that except In
the hop crop the Wlltumett valley ha
not been prosperous this year, crops of
grain and grass being very light. But
this year might have been worse, and
next year will probably be much better.
1
Sunday
School
Lesson
The Journal has made arrangements
with Rev, H. D. Jenkins. D. D.. on of
th editors of the Chicago Tribune, to
publish every Saturday his celebrated
Sunday school leaaon. Dr. Jenkins is
well known and highly regarded In Port
land and his Sunday school lessons oc
cupy a place of their own.
January 1. 1906. Topic: Jesus th
Life and Light of Men. -John 1: 1-11.
Golden Text In him was life, and th
life waa the light of men. John 1: 4.
INTRODUCTION.
What a privilege to begin th new
year with a atudy of our Lord's first
ministries as recorded by His beloved
disciple. If It be true that peoplo ar
not so well acquainted with th Bible
today aa their father were SO or 50 years
ago, it muat be largely the fault of the
people themselves. Never ware there so
many eager to teach the goapel mes
sage; never were there so many Intelli
gent helps. Commentaries are not sim
ply increased In number, they are im
proved in quality, dealing less with
"problems" and more with dutlea; leaa
with "views" and more with aervlce.
There ar In th United States 1S8.317
Sunday schools, with 1,419.807 teach
ers and 1 1.493.6S1 scholars. These are
practically all Protestant organisations,
since th Catholic church does not en
courage lay teaching In religion. The
enrollment must Include th greater part
of the children In our Protestant house
holds, and give ua every reason to be
lieve that with fidelity upon the part of
ika t Aaehor - ami annlicatlon UDon the
part of the taught, Bibl knowledge
ought to be sowed close and deep over
all the land, In one county In Missouri,
aa Shown by a map at th. St. Louis ex
position, 96 per cent of the entire popu
lation was in one way or anomer con
nected with ome Sunday school. That,
probably, la the banner county of the
world.
But it is sweet to begin tb ear
with John's story of our Lord's appear
ance at the water of th Jordan, along
with many who cam t- fee the stir
ring discourses or Bm -forerunner. The
two war relatives (LUk 1: ), but
they had not been brought up together
(John li 10-33): Jesus living in th
humble home at Nazareth (Duke 2: fl).
while John retired to th ascetic com
munities of the zealous religionists In
tb uninhabited districts Of Palestine
(Luke 1: SO), remaining apart from the
world until moved to return and preach
the coming of the Messiah.
It fa commonly believed that the goa
pel which we are now to study was writ
ten in Greek and later than th three
which . placed before it In' our ct:
nonlcal Hat and that It waa desisted)
to supplement those by noting many
Incidents omitted In them, while omit
ting those things which were tn them
plainly set forth. For thi raon th
nativity and childhood of our Lord are
passed by; the narrative begins with
"showing" the Bavlor to Iaraak
THE LESSON
Vera 1. No one can afford not to
commit to memory theae first verses of
John's gospel. Every class ahould re
peat them verbatim. They are so strik
ing, so Impressive, so significant, that
they have entered Into the literature of
the whole Christian world. It 1 not of
much utility to Inquire whence. the evan
gelist obtained this strlklgjf metaphor,
presenting Jesus ao boldlyewlthout ex
planation or Introduction as 'The Word"
of God. If It had ever been usd be
fore. It had failed to make Itself felt.
Now he presented It so that It eould
never be forgotten. It means that he
who cannot 11 (Tit. 1:2) apok through
Jeaus of Naaafeth; that w can take
our stand upon th teaching of Jesua aa
we rest upon the word of the Father.
Verse 2. We cannot use the same lan
guage in speaking of Infinities that we.
ua " In comparing finite , quantities.
Mathematicians tell us that we can add.
subtract, divide or multiply Infinities
and they are neither Increased nor di
minished by the procaas. Whrever the
beginning was, th word of God was
there and waa with God, and was God.
Bfor auch facts relating to the divine
existence we stand awed and dumb..
Vers.,!. Th worlds w ee w
spoken Into -being. Beyond that tn
philosopher know no more of creation
than the simplest child. We cannot con
ceive Of a "proce" of creation. We
rest In the knowledge of a power. Jesus
who died for man created the world.
In these days when men tell us that
we can retain Jeaus but discard the
miraculous birth and give up the resur
rectlbn, ws ned only sy, "Y. but
we cannot retain, The Word' of St.
rnanal without the divine nature
and the eternal backgrqund which St.
John praenta." "
Vera 4. Thl 1 the pivotal verse of
th section. Jesus Impressed his Imme
diate disciples, the writer of this gospel
among them, as being by his very nature
radically different In nature while In
form like unto his brthren (Heb. 2: 17).
The merest trifle suffice to terminate
our earthly existence, but no man liv
ing waa able to put Jeaua to death
without bla consent (John 10: It). And
even more than Mis discourse, hi life
made th path of duty lumlnoua and
plain. Llf aa they saw it In Jeaus was
llf In Itself, life in Its Ideal, life In its
futrrree and its-brightness. Physically
you could not put It out; morally you
eould not mistake It. In youth we once
were obliged to listen to a coarse tirade
against all Christlsns aa "hypocrites,
aneaks and cowarda." But In the very
midst of It an aged and greatly beloved
Christian philanthropist cam Into th
room, and th calumniator stopped as
quickly aa thoagti he had been shot.
There wa no use talking against the
"light" of such a life aa that.
Verse 6 Yet when forced to be still,
the unbeliever 1 not won. It 1 all folly
to lnalat that were the gospel preached
"as It ought to be preached," men would
quickly surrender to Ita power. They
did not when Jesus preached it. Noth
ing la so hard for a bad man to under
stand 'as a good man's motlvee or alms.
Borne of the noblest sermons ever
preached have been spoken to men who
could not half an hour later, tell what
the sermon Waa about.
Verse 6. It 1 delightful to have In
spired men afflAn the direct, divine
agency and aim of such a llf as that of
John the Baptist becaua we realise that
God cannot hav a care simply for on
man In a million. If God aenda John,
he. sends ua. Our duty may not be so
intimately connected with the great
event ot hi kingdom, but it Is aa
really of Qod,
Vera 7. Bomtlsna, aa we have seen
the cas to be. s nilnlstr of grat r
finement and spirituality doe not rech
th common people as well as an evan
gelist who has less regard for their
feelings and leaa consideration for their
social customs. John could do a pre
paratory work which, humanly speaking.
Jesus could not o wll accomplish. H
stood mora nearly upon their level. He
did not o otUn hock their ense of
propriety. He made mOf of rites and
fasts and mod f pr;iyer. And when
he had won the nttentloln, sad the con
fidence and the good will of the people,
he threw th,whol weight of his In
fluence toward Jean.' realising, that
Jesus was th consummate flower where
he ws llttl mor than a brulad leaf.
Verses 3. 9 and 10 are but a repeti
tion of what ha gone before. Jesus is
th only, historic character upon which
man by practically unaatfmoua consent
agree as a perfect example. Such fact
Is at times spoken of aa "th miracle
of Christ's personality."
Verse 11. We ar drawing nearer in
this vers to th rvlatlon of redeem
ing love. God did not call men up to
him. In the person of. His Son h
"cam" down to thm. How much Is
expressed in that brief statement! When
the historian tells us that thle or that
aspirant reached this or that throne,
we know that behind It la a history of
suffering which others endured and of
deaths whloh othera Buffered. But
when Jesus "came unto Hla own," h
cam through tb win pra of pain
Himself. .The evangelist tells us simply
that "His own received Him not." But
in tligt sentence Is compressed the story
of all His weary tours. Hla hungry days.
Hia aleeplaaa nights. His rejection by
the mob, the soldier and the priest
Verse 12. There were some, however,
who welcomed Him, aa did the fishermen
of Galilee and the slaters of Bethany,
and to auch Bis preaence brought a new
. on?, lousness of power. Thlr rela
tions to Jesus determined their relation
to the source of power. In the deepest
meaning of that term, they were not by
birth spiritually the "sone of God," but
they could and did become auoh through
the grace Imparted to them .aa believers.
Verse 13. Back of all our best Im
pulses, back of all our heavenly aspira
tions, back of all our own will and
purpose, the evangelist sess moving the
mighty purposes of God.
Verac 14. It Is not a almple matter to
bear oneself with dignity when dressed
in rags or covered with soil from some
accident. It Is easier to play a noble
part In royal robea. But Jeaua took
upon Him the phyalcal nature of ours
which shows so msny of the sad reaults
"fa lost estate; and yet through all Hie
humiliation His desclple beheld Hla
glory and saw a life "full of grc nd
truth '7 " ' x
Verse IS. It is seldom that any great
reformer can see In one so radically dif
ferent from himself a superior to him
self. But whatever John th Baptist
lacked, he did not lack humility. He
waa free from Jealouay. H waa con
cerned for God's kingdom, not for his
own shar in It. And he had aufflclent
grac to lead him In a course where
grace was alwaya multiplied. It ta
through the exercise of what faith we
have that ws come to larger believing;
and It la through aervle that w come
to the love of eervlng. They who sought
out John, found Jesus; and they wh6 c
cepted Jeaus received th powr of God
Into their own oula.
I The Play
Ben Greet s players returned W Port
land yesterday and prchd a Chrlst
maa aermon from the atage of the Mar
quam Grand theatre on th subject of
"Th Star of Bethlehem." to which the
congregation- listened with rapt atten
tion. Thl sermon was "arranged" by
Charlea, Mlila Gayley, the program stat
ed, especially for th Chrlstms eason.
Once upon a Urn It waa played In mon
asteries, with monk Impersonating the
characters, and th atmosphere of that
period of ita existence 1 conscientiously
preserved by th Greet combination even
to th stationing of a holy man at ch
end of the stags to keep th candles
burning and ramovs th proprtl after
each act which la, by th way. th only
Indication that th acts have an ending.
Aa a play. It la doubtful If "The Star
of Bethlehem" is as Interesting as
"Everyman." It belongs In a somwhat
different cstegory. Whll on ta purely
allegorical, the other ia a miracle play,
founded upon Biblical history, which
th wld world is gradually learning to
accept as actual truth. But to be "In
teresting" merely from the standpoint
of entertaining th auditor la not very-
thing. Comparing tn two worm on
their artistic and literary merits. I be
lieve the same standard will apply to
ooth.
"The Star of Bethlehem" Is a play
which from the very first Hhe evlncea
the highest order of poetic writing tn
quaint vernacular: Ita subject la treated
with marveloua fidelity and sincerity,
and as Incident followed Incident there
was revealed an equal maatery of vera
ctoua and effective character, of simple,
yet salient situation.
Last and by no means least the act
ing waa as forcibly artistic as the writ
ing, and th whole cast an obvious spell
on the audience, which waa doubtless
the author' first and greatest ambition.
The stage Is set as a quarter of an an
cient monastery, with a miniature ros
trum In the centre of the picture. With
out the first object In evidence to sug
gest the fact, the scene represents the
rioi.i. none Hetnlehem Ttre solemnity.
lof the opening is obtained by hyhin
I . ( ,i 1.1-11 mMki a nrolosrue snd
three simple-minded shepherds appear.
In superb diction they discover the star
In the east and speculate a to Ita mean
ing, concluding their surmise by chant
ing foolish songB' and performing bur
lesque that waa considered comedy In
those days, no doubt, but which becomes
rather tiresome to a modern audience,
unless the auditor ta there aolely for th
purpose of studying antique theaplan
Ism. The next character to enter ta Max. a
sheep thief, plAyed by Mr. Greet him
self. It la A quaint comedy rol. de
lightfully prented. Mak aaya hie
prayers and goes out to ataal a sheep.
He brings It to his home and the lamb
kin Is tucked in a cradle to prevent de
tection. Mak' wife la present. She la
aa much a shrew as he Is a worthless
lout, under ordinary clrcumstsnces, but
Mak' success among th flock and his
rattirn wlthUhe sheep has th aame ef
fect upon her aa Rip full gam bag
had onMrs. Van Winkle. Gabriel now
speakf:
"Byl God's prophecy, depend on me,
Three kings ye presently shall aee
Coming seeking his nativity
Th ChrUt that shall b."
On by on th king of Tars, Araby
snd Baltbsr enter through the audito
rium following the new star. By astro
nomical deductions they decide that It
presagea the coming of a mighty king.
Herod's messenger overhra and hast
ens, to his master with the word:
"King! Th dvll. of what empire
Shall this lad b lre?"
In his rage Herod summons the three
klnga. From them he learns:
"Lord, when that star arose forlorn.
We knew, forsooth, that child was born!"
The wise men Of Herod'e court point
out to him the prophecy of Isaiah and In
a splendid place of explosive acting the
ruler shows hla rag, and finishes by of
fering gold to his gods for relief. Re
ceiving no response ne summons Imps,
who enter from a great dragon's mouth,
and bids them stay the course of the
three seeking kings. Gabriel then con
fronts Herod, who falls proatrate.
Gabriel next calls on. man to forthwith
amend. The action" rvrt once mor
to th shpherd. They hav discovered
the loss of 1 heir aheep and Mak la, of
course, under suspicion. They ueter
mlne to enter hi house, and as they do
go. the, various subterfuges of the Mak
family form the, best comedy of th
work. She feign sever Illness, In the
hop that th shepherds will flee from
the place, while Mak rocks the cradle
and sing luliabys to th suppose.. In
fant Bui the shepherds ar bent upon
Gladys
VanderDilte Debut
From th New Tork Herald.
To introduce to society her daughter,
Mia Olady Vanderbllt. Mrs. Vanderbllt
threw open the family mansion at Fifth
avenue and Fifty-seventh street and
gave a brilliant dance for her debutant
daughter. The entertainment waa a
notable one. not only from It social Im
portance, but also from th fact that It'
was th flrat large entertainment given
by Mrs. Vanderbllt In five year or more
While n reality It was the debut of Mlsa
Vanderbllt It waa not the only entertain
ment that will be given for her, for Mrs.
Vanderbllt will give a grand ball to mark
her daughter's presentation to society on
January 13.
Although styled a "small danc." last
night's entertainment was, to all Intents
and purposes, a ball, and by no means
Informal, as It would he out of th ques
tion to ao style so splendid an entertain
ment. Mlaa Vanderbllt whtle yet at her
studies, la quite aa much out In society
as tne otne young women of her -age,
as she has been frequently at th opera
thl winter and also at other entertain
ments. 1
Whll It waa th Intention of the
hostess to confine her Invitation .to the
younger married people and to those of
th young dancing act t here war not a
few of the older members of society rep
resented, a la alwaya th case on uch
occasions. . J"
Whll th floral decorations were not
of an elaborate character, they ware
very beautiful. There were quantities of
roses, orchids and lilies placed In vases
and different receptacles effectively dis
posed throughout th various rooms. In
the foyer ball on the Fifty-eighth street
side there was a display of pink chry-
Mnlhamiuna u, 1 T, ,,hr ,-. . u
In the reception salon there were Amer
ican Beauty rosea, yellow chrysanthe
mums and green orchids, and in the
smaller salon adjoining there were
American Beauty roaaa and whit chry
santhemums. In the red room, or li
brary, there were quantities of red
rose.
Mrs. Vanderbllt and her daughter re
ceived their guests In th whit and gold
salon, which they approach from the
Fifty eighth street entrance, and after
th casual greetings of the evening made
their way to the ballroom, where was
stationed Nahan Franko's orchestra of
60 musicians.
This room Is on of th largest private
ballroom In Nw York, and la richly
ornamented In panes of white and gold.
Above Its heavily gilt cornice- ! ffTIs
Of- floral design, painted on canvas, and
thla Is Illuminated by electric lamps that
ar concealed In th covering In th
corners of th room ar superb lamps
of golden bronze lighted by many elec
tric bulb.
Th ballroom presented a brilliant ap
pearance when, the danc waa tn full
away' Dancing was general until mid
night, when supper was served by Sher
ry tn the dlrsVng room, which 1 nearly
aa large as th ballroom. In th hall ad
Joining and In th breakfast room.
In th dining-room, which Is. in fact,
a banquet hall, are hung some of th
famous palntinga of th Vanderbllt col
lection. Including worka of Turner. Con
stable and othr masters of tb old
schools. Th hsll Is Imposing with Its
winding stairway copied from th fa
mous chateau of Blols.' It Is finished
In Caen atone, agalnat the dull grav
background of which wr hung superb
rugs and tapestries, that gave a sense
of warmth and color.
Tall, graceful palma and tropical trees
wre placed In the galleries and cor
ner. Thar wre about 80 table on
each of which was placed a allver va
filled with American Beauty roses
' After supper the cotillon wss danced
Worlhlngton Whltehous leading , with
Miss Vanderbllt. Ther war several
sets of attractive favdr. some of which
had been brought from Europe. These
were trinkets of allver. flowers, ribbons,
orders and fan.
About 71 eouplea wer in the cotillon,
which did not end unUl the early hours
of the morning. There was still an
other upper after the lotlllon for those
who cared to stay-
J Clark
cwifl an
December 81. During th night ther
was a high wind which covered the ice
with hillock of mixed sand and anow;
th day waa, however, fine, and the
Indians came In, treat number for the
purpose ot having their utenaiU re
paired. V From th New York world.
Representative Champ Clark nas
some Interesting youngsters who go to
Sunday school. One of them smiled
superciliously when the teacher was
trying to teach the children the creed.
"Why did you keep smiling all the
time, my dear?" aakad th teacher of
the youthful Clark aftr the leon.
"The other children didn't"
"Oh. they're babies." answered the
youngster "I've found out that Santa
Claua Is Just my papa and mamma. I
haven't found out yet who God Is, but
I bet I do before long." '
getting a glimpse of the babe, and their
persistence reaches the point where
Mak's wife deems It advisable to take up
the little one. Her subsequent efforts
to quiet and disguise the struggling
sheep are genuinely funny.
In the next scan th kings are put
under a spell by Herod's Imps and lose
Ight of the guiding tr. They suppli
cate in the name of
"Thou child, whose power no tongue can
tell. '
Who Is the Lord of Heaven and of hell."
The star reaDDeari In answer to
nravers and Uabrlel makes ana
them their destination, the atable In
Bethlehem, "where He Dalty."
The last scene la most beautiful of
all. It Is the manger A glowing light
comes up from the rude cradle wherein
the. Christ supposedly sleeps. ' Stsnulng
beside It, not one removing her eyes
from the Infant 1 th Madonna, near
her la Joseph, the carpenter, and over all
stands Gabriel. . The play closes, with
tfaelsylng of gift by the king at the
foot of theemsnger. For much of the
effectiveness of th scene the beautiful
face Of Miss Murlc Robinson I re
ponslble Bhe was ah Ideal picture of
the Virgin.
Thosa of special not among th play
ere ar Constance Crawley (Gabriel),
whose exquisite voice was heard before
In the role of Everyman; Ben Greet
(Mak), for his quaint comedy: Sybil
Thorndlk (Mak's wife), for her clever
conception of the lights and shadows of
th character, as described earlier; John
8. Crawley (Herod), for a general force
ful Impersonation; Eric LUnd (king of
Araby). for his deep. Impreaslv vole
and Intelligent reading.
Thers isn't a weakling smnng th Bn
Greet plavers, snd moat of them are
gaants. Th 8tr of Bethlehem" will
be repeated tonight. Next week, for
Friday and Saturday. It la gratifying to
learn that the company will produce
"Everyman' and "Twelfth Night"
RACB WHITNEY.