Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-12-28
CHRISTMAS.

This annual holiday, which has for ages been
observed with so much of reverence in the old
world, and which, in Europe, is perhaps the most
generally observed of any Of the many holidays,
has, until within few years, been almost entirely
| ignored in New England. Now, however, from
some cause, perhaps catching the enthusiasm of
the multitude of foreigners who annually flock to
Coumbias shore. we look forward to this lestal
season with much of pleasurable anticipation the
children now would feel keenly disappointed if
old Santa Claus did not make his annual visit
The day was observed in Montpelier more gener-
ally this year than ever before, the stores and 9th
err business places for the most part being closed.
The day was fine, and nothing was wanting but
few inches OF snow to make it a most merry Christ
mas
Monday evening, at the Church of the Messiah,
services were held in which the children OF the
Sabbath School took part. The church was very
beautifully decorated with evergreens, eyincing
not only considerable amount OF labor, but also
good taste on the part of the ladies', who were the
principal laborers The following was the pro-
gramme for the evening;
/. Gloria" from Mozart's Twelfth Mass.
?. Scripture Lesson
8. Chant, blessed be the Lord our God, for
He hath visited and redeemed His people,"
A. Prayer.
3. Christmas Hymn
5sao 2 aes 9s i Sesai ssr Ct 1is
{ 6. Sermon.
7. Christmas Carol, by choir Of children
"F F15h o Ss5 & 2, .i ssaisoi Sr @S
i = III, l.tl IA,
children the Sunday School
o. Hymn
"Guide US, Lord while hand inland
journey ing toward the hotter land"
e Music composed by Mr.. Irving Emerson, Organ
list of the Church.
' At the conclusion of the services in the church
: the audience adjourned to the vestry, where the
exercises consisted of rectatons, singing &C., by
the children of the school, Mrs. Partington1
Tea Party " creating considerable merriment.-
, At the conclusion of these exercises old " Santi
Claus in his miniature sleigh, drawn by WC
" reindeer drove up to the gaiy decorated stage
and after dcpositing his parcels made a circuit o
e the room, and disappeared much to the amuse
a ment of young and old. The presents were theI
distributed to the smiling and expectant groups
and the audience dispersed.
At the Episcopal church services were helC
. Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Tn,
church was very beautifully decorated with ever
greens, and the services peculiarly interesting
Tuesday, at l04 o'clock AM there Full Chora
/ service in which Morning Prayer, TIE Deum, Psal
ter and Canteles were intoned and chanted by
? two choirs, (Decani and Cantoris) under the di
t rection of Mr.. s. B. Whitney, Organist of tn,
J Church. The annual Christmas celebration by III,
t children connected with the Sabbath School, vii
be held in the church, Friday evening next
At the Catholic Church, on Christmas eve, anC
! day, there were the usual services.
Christmas night the children of the Methods
Episcopal Sabbath School held their annual Crst
mas celebration, in the church. The house wa
early crowded by the children of the Sabbad
School and others, anxious to partake OF the en-
i ioyment Of the evening. The church was deco
i rated with eyergreens, the pulpit, and stage i
n front Of the pulpit, which were two larg
II " Christmas trees bearing most bountlully th
I, fruit OF kind hearts, appearing very attractive.
J. The exercises consisted of singing, declamatons
& &c, among the more noteworthy Of which wer
. {" Christmas bells are ringing, ringing" sung b
Nhc MlHeNo VAN anu hNNlaihdAloh ny ~
:, ward Mutt very interesting and well delivered
:. original defamation, " The origin Of Christmas,
= by Charles Fuller well written, and the deliver
.e unusually distinct and correct; dialogue, 4" TIL
Orphan recitation, by Robert Wright At tn
d conclusion OF these exercises, " jngling of he
l. and stamping OF inpatient hoois, was heard tn
N roof and presently Santa Claus" wrapped
Y furs from head to foot, was making his advel
D, through an opening in the ceiling, having, "
OIL presume, left his &" reindeer upon the roof an
:, having deposited his presents on the stage. !
left for the " next station,n amidst shouts of me
r iiment. Then commenced the distribution OF Il
se presents, there being something for each scholl
he in the school; there was also a very handson
70 silver tea service presented by the school to Mr.
d. l.. Fuller