The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-02
MENDOZA.

Since 1 wrote my last, Christmas has come and
gone, and with it the ten thousand little acts of
bensvolence and love, with all the hallowed
reccollections dear to the true christian and
worshipper Of the lowly Nazarene. Thrice bless
ed are the almoners OF bounties and kindnesses
bestowed upon the needy and suffering 1t is
we'll that there are days devoted to deeds Of be.
nevslence and charity.-We need more Of them
God knows that cold. heartess selfshness is more
the rule than the exception. Even the little van
tiles we see in church displays are excusable on
Christmas occasisns. Onr prairie city churches
seemed TO vie with each other in Christmas be-
nevolences. The Episcopal church, on Christ
mas eve, had the Christmas tree beautifully or
namented and illuminated, at the Young Mems
Christian Union Hall. The Methodist church
society, on the same evening, had the "Star OF
Bethlehem" beautifully ornsrnentsd design
covered with gifts innunerabls, valued 3 or
four thousand dollars. The capacity of the church,
had it been twice large, would not have been
sufficient to have held all the people present on
the occasion. The whole affair was highly cred
liable to all concerned
On the eve Of Christmas day the Free Will
Baptist Church held thoir Christmas festival, in
the new church, not then dedicated, and built on
the east side this fall The festivities were con-
Quoted in behalf Of the Sabbath school connect
ed with that society, consisting Of, acensry,
tableaux, recitations, &c.. .aad concluding with
the visit of the venerable and veritable Santa
Claus himself upon the stage erected for the
occasion, loaded with trinkets gifts and sweet.
meats innumerAble, for the little folks His
venerable head, his kindly words and yingirg
laugh, and the thousand gifts, actually charmed
and carried away the little peopls, if not many
of mature years. How many bright eyes glis-
tened and were made happy at the sight Of the
good old "Chris Kinkle," and whose dreams
that night were full of visions of his benevoencs
and love tokens, bestowed upon them on that ee.
casion, some future historian may record, but
net your correspondent. Suffice it, that occasion
was one that will long be remembered by those
present that evening. r~y
On Sunday last, the dsdicstosy ssrvise.s Of
their church tsok place, under charge Of Profess
VI Du", ioec Va AAAiSu"io SoiS6e, nuioulSnu, OAo
OF the ablest men Of that or any other denomin-
alton. This makes the second new church erect
ed here this season. 1t is the finest, in an archi.
testural Wow, of any in town. Its spire is one
hundred and four feet in height. The Lutherans
have remodsled their church this fall, erecting
q new Spre, and painting and reseating tho
church, giving t.a fine appearance. . The, Bap
tist sooiety, the oldest II not ' tie ablsst, md
whose house WAS the first erected, and dedicated
in Nay, 1856 are making arrsngsnents for
rebuilding Or building another church saiAes, at
cost Of 10000 dollars, tho coming season.
The Episcopal Church society are also making
arrangements to build them q stone church up
On the east side. learn they have selected the
site, plane made, and funds arc being rsiasd to
Garry the building on % sooh d spring spens.
So you will percievs that oar spiritual welfare
10 cared for % we'll ~ the educational and intel
lsptusl I shssld, perhaps, mention n this con,
nection, that among our many prairie houses and
white shupdhss tAae sttapsshs6 ypiAS& are
several huge, block and smoking .ehimniss and
ssacks, whore an " six day. Aufins the week
may b. sasAg huge black eelunass dseualiag