Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-01-02
The Brick Church Christmas Festival.

The Blick Church Christmas Festival.
We ma the pleasure of attending the Christ
mas Festival at Washington Hall, on Monday
evening OF last week and wss both pleased and
surprised 1t tne amount of rational enjoyment
and amu-cnent provided fol the Sabbath School
schoi4 :, teachers and invited guests. by the
ayers Of that festival. We said sarprissa-
although, perhaps ough. not to have been
amazed d. epy thing however lar exceeding our
highest ant.ci palCus-knOwing. We did, how
abIncant in every good word and work were
thC.e VII had the affair il charge The spa
ci1us hall wa tas eiuily and beautifully trimmed
az :: ,tlaael, nile AZ. rop-iaie notices graee1
the. various walls a large, ma 5nihcent and
richly -sruited Christmas Tree, occupied the far
theT eud Of the room, the leaves OF WhIch-iI NJ
for the healing OF the enthusiastically brought
sunny smiles upon the rosy cheeks. carried bright
sunlight and JOY into the hearts. and sent tie
rich life blood mcrrlly coursing through the
veins, Of almost innumerabc host OF sto-e
whose lips and lives, We trust, VIII ever syllable
forth the sentiment tIuthfuuy ielt, and
beautifully noticed forth IN Letters Of hviuz
green, that evening
Two tables were temptingly and bount:ully
laden with refreshments ana after the multitude
had ell been ted more than twelve baskets OF
that whioh lift could have been gathered
up. Every pupil belonging 10 the Socie,ys
school received NICE AMI aPpEop pirate Chrs,m-s
git iEoa4 tt Ire, 4n1 IL came 3 verItac-e
representation % Sap,a Claus, and hls retI-
nue., httugly he.aI4ed and becomingly ushered
IN. The children who had = never seen his like
before ~ fairly laughed outrigh, the funny
grotes 4ueness Of ihe scene. Santa Claus
unusually lavish with his gifts, and Rev. Mr..
Lord made the recII ienc OF a large silver Ice
pitcher and gubl>t, and numerous other articles.
Superintendent hopkins so received beaut.-
ful silver Ice pitcher and goblet small token
of tbs high appreciation in which his friends
hold him, both Superintendent OF the Sun
day School and the lest chorister OF the
best choir TO be found this section. Mr.. Hop
kins fairly - taken bJ SURPRISE and tor
once Ais ready use Of language and easy way Of
expressing plain truths, Jailed him, and he made
the very great mistake of putting himself at
variance with the almost general and firmly
grounded opinion Of his friends, by saying that
ne considered himself and q IS services ak IN
worthy this token OF affection
Iho several teachers also received. through
Santa claus, rieh lres~ nte rom their respective
classes, among which noticed eautifully-
bound Bibles, books and albums, silver napkin
rings, gold bowed speetscles, elaborately finished
work boxes, wrIting-desks, rare ians, &c.
Santa Claus dispensed several gifts more hu-
morous and suggestive than elaborate or cost
ly. \ well-khown druggist received little
wooden mortar General, Who has seen service,
was made urspeakably happy by the present OF
toy contraband astride of an obstinate mule
a prominent politician wac reminded of his abil-
it, TO blew his own trumpet by the gift OF a
sugar whistle, a leading bass singer favored
with a tin trumpet, &c, So.
But the last, est tiff not to msn.-was
to the minister and consisted of Life Policy
for $4,000 in the Connecticut Mutual Lie As
surance Company, presented by several members
OF the Society II their pastor. The presenta-
ton speech was by Col. Ii. D. Hopkins, and
more graceful, happy presentation address We
have rarely, If ever, listened to- Col HOPKINS
was once more IN full accord with MS friends
and, having entirely recovered from his own
"surprist }" seemed bound to "surprise" every
body present by the sirgulaTly -felici5ous and q!
| cquent words In which be embodied and spoke
the thoughts and desires OF the Society towards
their pastor, as evidenced in this token of their
regard and care for him ard bis 1t was Rev.
NJ. Lord turn now to be surprised - as the
gut was as unexpected as 1t was munifcent and
his manner, better than his words even, spoke
the emotions OF his heart This closed the ex-
eroises OF the evening, and the large assembage
quietly dispessa 30 their respective homes
feeling that the evening had been one OF the most
enjoyable that comes to mortals in a lifetime
REPRESENTATIVES, BAsIs.-The president has
expressed himself strongly In favor of the pro
posed amendment to the constitution making
voters the basis of representation. Ii is evident
that Congress is not likely to adopt any mea-
sure that will so speedily secure suffrage to the
freedmen as this would and that too in a reg
uiar and constitutional way. Il Is suggested
that this amendment be at once adopted by Coz
gress after the holidays. and sent to the states.
1t can hardly fail to secure prompt ratification
| BY tnree-fourths of the leg slaiures We should
then see at once an equal suffrage party spring
ing up in the South.