Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-29
sabbath school Festival mt Dandy.

One of those most delightful and enjoy
able events which the Christmas season
brings for the entertainment of the juve-
nile classes, as we'll as for children OF
larger growth,"--a Sabbath School Festi-
vsl,-was held at Dandy last evening,
under the auspices of the Congregational
Society. The arrangements of the occa-
sion were as pleasantly and successfully
carried out as their inception had been
generous and thoughtful.
The festival was held at the Union
church. and the scene which met the eye
on its opening was charming in the ex-
IRENE. 1t required no great effort Of the
fancy to transform the scene into fairy
palace, whore genial old Santa Claus held
grand levee. The desk had been re-
moved, and in front and on either side OF
rhe platform four evergreen trees were
arranged, two of them of a height that
lowered to the ceiling All these were
fairly loaded with choice frnitage of
gifts of every description, from glittering
silver ware down to the simplest toys that
delight the heart of childhood. SO nu-
merous mad been the articles presented
that room could not be found for them
upon the trees. and they were accordingly
piled upon the platform.
The decorations of the house were pro-
fuse and tasteful, and reflect no little
credit upon the fair hands which per-
formed the work. The wall at the rear of
the desk was adorned with wreath of
spersed with red and white artificial flow
ers, the whole forming beautiful en-
blematic design. Wreaths and festoons
of evergreeps also graced the walls and
the front of the orchestra. The platform
was spanned by an arch, from which was
suspended the elegant communion SER
vice, which formed one of the most con-
spiouous gifts Of the occasion.
The exercises were opened by music
fromthe choir, when after fsrvent prayer
by the pastoy, Rev. J. G. Stone, the distri-
L. Griffith acted as the almoner of the
patron saint of the occasion, and die
p'nsed the gifts ito the eagerly expeotant
cNildren in a very happy manner. Some
OF the presents had evidently been ar
ranged with view to a ludiorous effect
in their distribution, as when a sedate
and serious-looking man received Jump
ing jack, and another a grinnins contra
band" in miniature efigy. Much merri-
ment was occasioned from this cause as
the distribution proceeded. Music and
rotations from the younger members of
the school were interspersed and served
to enliven the occasion.
Among the most valuable gifts we may
mention silver ioe-pitoher and salver,
costing $40, presented to Mrs. Stone,
the wife of the pastor, by her Sabbath
school class. Mrs. Stone also received a
rich silk dress, and other gifts, the whole
amounting to about 800. Mr.. Stone re-
ceived a gold pen, sleeve buttons, and
other presents to the value of about $40
A beautiful communion service of
silver, costing SAG, had been pro-
cured by subscription and was pre-
santed by the pastor to the deaoons
of the church. Among other rich gifts
which decked the trees, were gold watch, |
two silver watches, silver cake basket. a
set of silver plated table cutlery, and $50
in greenbacks. We cannot attempt TO
give the names of all the fortunate reei-
pients of these rich gifts. In the general
distribution it was pleasant to notice that
the poor had not been overlooked. a large
box filled with variety of fruits, cake
and other dainties, having been provided
for number of the aged occupants of the
poor house The total value of the gifts
distributed on the occasion was esti-
mated at about $1,000, and the church
and society are certainly entitled to much
credit for the generous and liberal manner
in which the festival was conducted. The
church was crowded to its utmost capaci-
ty, and all entered into the festivities of
the hour with hearty zest and enjoyment.