RECEPTION TO MR. AND MRS. GANDIER

To-night the congregation of St. James' Square Presbyterian Church are to tender to their new minister; Rev. Alfred Gandier, who was formally inducted to the vacant pastorate last night, a social reception. The lecture room of the church has been beautifully decorated for the occasion with flags, bunting and Chinese lanterns the platform is a mass of palms and ferns, and immediately over the platform hang the portraits in oil of the three former pastors of the church: Rev. J. King, late of Manitoba College, the Rev. Mr. Kellogg late of India and the Rev. Louis Jordan. The portraits are wreathed in holy and will be both a sad and a pleasant reminder of the prosperity enjoyed under the pastorate of each of these talented men. The Presbyterian custom of presenting the new minister with the Gown and the Bible will be observed as usual. Mrs. John Gowan is to present the Gown and Mr. Thos. Long is to read the address from the managers. Mr. Carrie is to make the presentation of the Bible. There are to be addresses in behalf of the Presbytery by reverend G. M. Milligan and Reverend John Neil and also an address of welcome from Principal Caven who will occupy the Chair. There will also be a short musical program rendered by Miss Louisa Craig, Mr. Somerville and Miss Cowan. At the close of the program, refreshments will be served and the members of the congregation will be given an opportunity of becoming personally acquainted with the Reverend Alfred and Mrs. Gandier.

MOTHERS' MEETING X-MAS TREAT

Yesterday afternoon from Three o'clock till six the women who belong to the Mothers' Meeting of the Central Mission Hall had a most enjoyable treat provided for them at the Toronto Mission Union Hall. During the afternoon a bright entertainment was provided with plenty of music and two good addresses. Miss Nan Housten gave an instrumental solo, Miss Nellie Bertram song "Lady Su" Miss Anne Hobson, "A Creole Love Song" Miss Milne sang, "Mary of Argyle," also vocal numbers from Miss Dora McMartry and Miss Lola Ronan. Both of the last named ladies are always most kind and willing in giving of their time and talents for the entertainment of the Mission people. Rev. Mr. McTavish of Central Presbyterian. Rev. Mr. German of Elm Street Methodist, and Mrs. A. Sampson gave short addresses. The work of this Mothers' Meeting which is held every Thursday afternoon at three o'clock in the Mission, is under the supervision of Mrs. Rogers. Mrs. Rogers has also an able corps of assistants, among them being Miss Northcote, the Misses Milne, Miss Sara Rogers, Miss Moore, Mrs. Pugsley, Miss Pugsley and Mrs. Glover. The average attendance of women is about forty-five with some little children as well. Among all the different forms of charity which have sprung up of late years in connection with mission work, perhaps none have more fully proved their right to survive than the Mothers' Meeting idea. Very little recreation and brightness come within the reach of the class of women who attended these meetings; they have many household cares, little money, and usually a good many children to keep them tied down to their not too bright homes. So that the two hours spent with the ladies and each other at the mission hall is really the bright spot in their week. Not only is it an amusement, but it is in a sense, an economic education. Many of these women were put to work in factories when they were, say fourteen years of age. They leave the factory to marry, and enter homes of their own, most of them with little or no knowledge of housekeeping, and even less of sewing. At the Mothers' Meeting, both these needs are met in as far as is possible. While the women are instructed and helped with their sewing, they are also listening to an instructive talk on the best use to make of their little means, or the best methods to pursue in their household affairs. The plan pursued under Mrs. Rogers' particular regime is to give the women as much instruction toward helping themselves as is possible. The sewing materials are bought wholesale; the women state their needs, and the various garments are cut out, basted and made under the supervision of the workers, then they are sold to the women desiring to have them at a minimum price. The same system is pursued in regard to clothing contributed to the Mission. It is sold at a very low figure to the women, thus preventing them from the pauper feeling, so hurtful to mission work generally. The women are taught self-respect; a proper pride in this way which the plan of giving everything would never inculcate, but would, instead, utterly destroy. The workers of the Mothers' Meeting would be most grateful for any clothing, which the ladies of the city could spare to them. All contributions for this purpose should be addressed to 80 Hayter Street, care of Mrs. Elias Rogers and will be most helpful in this splendid branch of mission work.

WINTER HOUSE GOWNS

One may always depend on "The Harper's Bazaar famous notes so that their authority on house gowns for winter wear may be considered as unimpeachable. Gowns to wear in the house are so essentially feminine and dainty this season it is small wonder that much time, thought and expense are expended on them. They are so different from the street costumes and allow for so much more exercise of individual taste that women take an especial interest in them. They are not necessarily expensive especially this year. In that respect they differ from the street gowns which call for perfection of workmanship as well as good fit. House gowns, the term as used this time including tea gowns, include the gowns that are worn in the house or that are smart enough to wear to an afternoon reception or to theatre, but are too elaborate in design or too light in color or texture for street wear. A very good model for one of these gowns is made with a long skirt and has no trimming whatever, but in front and at the sides are rows of narrow tucks put in to form a yoke shape, stitched down so that they give no unnecessary fullness, and yet make the skirt hang well. With this skirt is worn a smart blouse of lace or satin embroidered net, jetted or spangled, and with a basque that is longer in front than back. A yoke of tucked chiffon and jet embroidery, and a belt and sash of chiffon, add to the soft effect of the gown, while the undersleeves of chiffon are gathered into a band of embroidery at the wrist."

Mrs. Alfred G. Hanenstein is to lecture to-night for the Women's Art Association Library Fund, in gallery 2, Confederation Life building at eight o'clock. Subject, "An Evening in Italy." Mrs. Hanenstein is staying with Mrs. O'Hara, Elm Avenue, Rosedale.

The annual supper given by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pellatt to the patients of the Home for Incurables took place last night, and was a most enjoyable affair. While the supper was in progress Miss Arksey rendered several instrumental selections on the piano. After the supper a good miscellaneous programme was given by Mrs. Stapell, Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Van Norman and Mr. James Fax, with Captain Mercer in the chair. Mr. And Mrs. Pellatt received warm and hearty thanks for their thoughtful kindness.

The regular monthly meeting of the Women's Historical Society was held in the Normal School yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Forsyth Grant presiding. There were several new members enrolled: Lady Taylor, Miss Elwood, Miss. Hobson, Mrs. Buchan, Miss Evans, and Mrs. Managhan. Mr. Robert Tyson gave a splendid paper on "Effective Voting," its history as developed by an Australian woman." The next meeting will be held on the first Thursday in February.

Mrs. John Dick, of Spenser avenue, gave a gay tea yesterday afternoon in honour of some of the school friends of her daughter, Miss Muriel Dick from Havergal College. The Havergal colors yellow, white and green, were much in evidence in the decorations and the tea table was decked with vases of the school flower, the Marguerite, Miss Laura Byran, Miss Daisy Ince, Miss. Elsie Thorne, Miss Amy Wedd and Miss Daisy Gouinlock assisted in the tea rooms, and with the many young guests formed a particularly bright and happy band. Mrs Shoenberger of College street, has sent out cards for a tea on Thursday, January 10. Mrs. E. B. Osler has sent out cards of invitation for a dance at Craigleigh on Monday, January 14. Mrs. Mortimer Bogart of Winnipeg who has been staying with her mother, Mrs. H. E. Hammond has returned home. Miss. Helen Stratford, of Brantford, one of the season's debutantes arrives in Toronto on Saturday, to be the guest of her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J. Kerry Osborne of "Clover Hill." Miss Gyp Armstrong is staying in Port Hope with Mrs. Passmore.

STUDIO DAY

Saturday, January 5th, will be "Studio Day" for January and the artists whose names are given below will open their studios to visitors in the afternoon after two o'clock. Every one interested in art should take advantage of this opportunity so kindly given of viewing the work of our local artists.

E. M. Bell-Smith, 330 Jarvis Street.

E. Wyly Grier, Imperial Bank Buildings.

Miss Hemming, 582 Church Street.

F. McG, Knowles Room V, Confederation Life Building.

Miss G. E. Spurr, Room 18, 15 Toronto Street.

O. P. Staples, 7 Maitland place.

Miss Laura Muntz, Young Street Arcade.

R. F. Gagon, 90 Yonge Street.

Mrs. Dignam, 284 St. George Street.

C. M. Manly, York Chambers, 15 Toronto Street.

Miss Windlat, 46 Cecil Street.

F. S. Challener, 48 Adelside St. E,.

Miss E. May Martin, 110 Crescent road.

Thos. Mowbray, 1226 Church Street.

FRIENDSHIP

Give me the time, my female friend,
With soul too just and of too noble mind
To glance the thought or breathe the word unkind,

Two streams that would in peace as one descend
Must touch an equal plane before they blend;
While shallow sympathies untitled and blind
Like bubbling brooks in froth their eddies bend.

But worth and truth must to each other bend,
Not in sharp angles, not in gentlest curve--
A ceaseless gliding motion of their own
From which, the smallest dewfall will not swerve:-

And in the union, blend two souls in one,
Such friends like augers to each other prove
In every other [?] thoughts for love.