Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-12-30

copal, Universslst and Methodist Societies
each had Christmas tree and festival FOR
the children OF their Sabbath Schools.
The Baptists held theirs on Friday evening
last. Their school is large, numbering, We
should judge, over a hundred members
Their ball was neatly decorated, and such
notices as Seek me early and We shall find
me- Search the Scriptures,' ETC., were
hung shout the walls. The tree was large,
and its cedar branches were loaded with
presents, some Of which were quite valuable.
The exercises consisted of singing, distrib-
uting gifts, a little talking, partaking Of well
prepared refreshments, and sociable chat
tDSs. We Witnessed that the occasion yield
al number Of desirable gifts to the Elder
and his family.
! The Episcopals on Saturday evening had
beautiful tree, ard very pleasant time FIR
all present both old and young. Their school,
but recently formed, is comparatively small,
numbering perhaps City. The hall WAS
tastcfully trimmed with cedar, and over the
pulpit in cedar twiss, was the word Emanuel.
| Rev. KINNEY made q few well arranged re-
marks to the children, after which the tree
was unIoadcd. The little ones had supper
at the table and the older ones had cake and
coffee on their laps after the children had
gone. The affair earned credit to it's get,
/ t4rs up.
The Universalists, on Sabbath afternoon,
went SO far into the grand and beautiful that
our pen refuses to follow The hall YVES
heavily trimmed with cedar boushs, arrang, i
in lestoons, pendants, rrealh., etc. in such
tasteful manner as to give it the appearance
OF = pr;mcval forest. The winaow. were
heavily curtaincd, so as 20 shut out the light,
and the hall lighted by lamps hung in among
! the cedar, giving the room an effect too beau
ii!uI for description. Birds, in their cages
were placed among the foliage, and thor
/ loud sweet warhiugs aided to the happy de-
coption. Rev. c. f. IIEwEs commeiced the
exercises with prayer, after which he made
some remarks in which he stated that the
school, organized about nine months ago,
now numbered over hundred scholars -
Then followed singing, distributing gifts,
eating, etc. Ii was very interesting occs
sion, aud the large hall was crowded with
spectators. We observed that Mr. HEwss
received two fine presents--one IN album,
and the other wreath in frame
The Methodists, on Monday night, had
very interesting time, though the time for
preparation had been insufficient and toe
evening proved unpropitous in consequence
Of rain, darkness and mud. But the base.
ment OF their new church was GROVE ed, and
their tree loaded. Many of the presents
were of the useful variety, and quite mum
Der Of kind hearted people took the occasion
to bestow needed articles on the poor of that
society. The exercises, in addition to the
distribution Of gifts, consisted of talking,
singing and eating A number of the adults,
among whom we will mention the pastor, su.
perintendent, and the melodeon player Of
the choir, received appropriate and valued
presents.
These Christmas tree festivals were all
very pleasant not less perhaps to the friends
of the children than to the children them.
selves. The pen of ys local will itch many
times in the future for the occasion to chron.
icic more Of such delightful reunions.