Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-03
MIDDLETOWN A CHRISTMAS
GATHERING.

Editor OF me Rutland Herald:
1 saw, not long
since. statement III your excellent paper
=. that If ANYTHING Of interest occurred IA tbe
adjoining toms, ani II communicated 10 you
IL q gCnslse manner. that yoI would give IL a
place In tue Herald / wish, therefore. to
give a brief account Of Christmas evening
gathering which occurred in the Baptist
Church al MIddletoSn ON the evening Of the
18th inst.
r.. .-.-.--ssas - the ovsniBg wcr. opened
by "a Voluntary from the Sabbath School.
aud Prayer by the Pastor. Then. for some
two hour, 'arge congre CATION gave most
excellent attention 70 the single pieces and
dialogues which were spoken by the Sabi,ath
School and those who had been invited TO
take parts. The speaking was of high or
der. and great credit and honor wer.. due
those who participated in the exercise. q, the
evening. Most Of the speakers sTer. yoy,,,
and indeed never had spoken before IN pn5,
lie. The design OF the gathering was for the
encouragement and benefit Of the Sabbatb
School Dialogues Of interest were spoken.
One entitled christmas Dialogue" another
Early fIety, by ten young ladies, another
Sabbath School instruction." under Nj
Eaton, and another Trials in a Minister'S
Life, and twelve Gems" b, twelve Young
gentlemen. Ii wOulI be difficult for the VII
ter TO say who performed their parts the best:
but be will give his opinion, and IA Al Is. they
all did finely. The young ladies' did q lmlrs-
oiy' aud the young gentlemen gave evidence
that they were real gems"
AT this point The liItle folks" must be no
uced. Masters frankie Billiard. with "a.
piece entitled, Il will never use tobacco and
Horace Coy, with his piece "Against Cav
Dress" beat .'the Jews" Two inn. Ms
one repeated the Lords PRAYER. and tb,.
other, at the conclusion, sang Il want 10 b..
an Angei, gained the attention of ,ba
house, aud produced fine effect. The wri.
ter Las not time TO mention by name all who
TOOK parts IN these interesting exercises. but /
would say IN short that each one who took |
parts came on with the honor which those |
Presohs ieit, IL not expressed, show well they |
have all DONE 4 he exercises were iote--
'persed with singing by members oF -.
School, and the Melodeon PLAYED bv AIS
B;.rnham. The Yaledictory. by Nj: Helen
gray, OF Fort Edward. was a fine reoductioD.
md most slEgularly adapted to The occasion.
here were illusions in it 20 scenes OF other
lays that were peculiarly affecting. and drew
ears from many eyes present. She alluded
o one who was wont 10 mingle in the scenes
low before her, but who, some seven wears
ince, had past away to the spirit world. En-
engagement also was given TO the Pastor and |
rs wife TO labor on in the cause of God. and
o 60 tor.h trusting in the promises of God.
remarks were made at the conclusion of the
peakIng exercises by Rev. Messrs. Leach.
'r9wn, Grant, and the Superintendent, Mr.
|. Woodland. A
AT TINS point the Committee announced
iae inc presents which were suspended on
lost beautiful Christmas Tree in sight of ali ;
ould now be distributed, and what sparklin9
yes and smiling countenances; none can tefl I
I'VE those who saw them. At the conclusion /
the distribution of the gifts, we all Joined {
singing the hymn, 30 Sing to Me ofHeay- q
D, and after the Benediction we returned /
our homes, feeling that we had all had a i
merry Christmas evening" J
j. w. G. =