, 1872-12-26
CHRISTMAS EVE At EVANSTON.
How the Methodist, Presbyterian, and
Congregational People En-
joyed Themselves.
The Churches Brilliantly Decorated and II1umin-
ated-.-Tablealx, Rectations, Distfi.
button Of Gifts, Etc.

It VAS very joyful Christmas Eve at three
Of the churches in Evanston. At the III. E.
Church the pillars and chandeliers we're neatly
decorated with eVergreens. Over the entrance
door was an illuminated welcome, and as you en-
tered the edifce this motto, in golden letters,
and trimmed with evergreen, greeted your eyes:
" God leyeth q cheerful giyer." On your right
the brightly-illuminat Christmas Tree was to
be seen. The festival opened with prayer by
the pastor, DR.. II. C. Briggs, and the singing Of
the Ascension Hymn " by the Sunday School
choir; after which tableau, entitled the First
Knitting Lesson" was produced. Next on the
programme was the recitation of the little piece,
{: Hang up the babys stocking" by Miss Maude
Wyckof, d little girl years old. This WAS
by far the most pleasing and entertaining per-
fornance OF the evening. After the song
entitled "Santa Claus, /" Was sung BY four little
girls, Master Freddie Sewen delivered 8 nice
little speech. There were several more taDleau1,
and one dialogue, during the evening. One Of
the tableaux represented Santa Claus trying to
get e doll about as large as 8 bushel basket into
q little ehild's stocking. This performance oc-
casioned much laughter. Baskets containing
packages Of candy. nuts, cake, and pop corn
we're then passed around among the members Of
the Sunday School. AZ the exercises were about
to close, Mrs. Gillespie, the Assistant superin-
tendent Of the Sunday School, stepped upon the
platform, and, in q very appropriate speech. pre-
faithful Superintendent OF the School for the
past three years, with very handsome
gold watch. On the case was engraved
Presented to Wm. 4. Shepherd, by the Eyarts~
toa II. Z. Church and Sunday School," Many
gifts we're brought BY the good people Of the
church, for the children at the County Poor
Houses. This Tas done to teach the pleasure Of
giving as well as Of receiving.
AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
q most novel and beautiful Christmas festival
WAS given by the Sabbath School Of the Presby-
te1ian Church on Christmas Eve. The Church
trimming was most artistic, and far surpassed
the elaborate holiday decorations that this Soci-
city have usually put on. The event seemed to
be made real occasion Of rejoicing over the
birth of our Savior. For the frolicking persona
ton of Santa Claus, was substituted beauti-
full representation Of the ''Advention Of the
Shepherds" by sixteen young ladies,
dressed as Oriental shepherdesses. The singing
and recitations by these, and the responses 2
effect, being impressive to young and old Of the
sweet story Of the Star of Bethlehem-the an
thems Of angelic hosts and the advention of the
shepherds. At the proper moment gas-]et star
lit in brightness above the Chrirtmas Tree,
which was already brilliantly Illuminated with
tapers displaying the rich profuRion Of gifts
provided for scholars and teachers. Soon the
scene was changed to one Of kindly mirth and
gladness, and all began 10 realize a merry CIibt-
mas indeed. More pains we're taken by this
society than by the others, their eyergreens
being brought from the State OF Maine, and it
WAS, therefore, q much more brilliant success.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
As announced in Monday TRIBUNE, Mother
Gooses Melodies /" we're produced BY several
members Of the Congregational Church on
Christmas Eve. Mrs. Il. Blatchford assumed
the part OF s'Mother Goose," and
her large family WAS composed OF Messrs.
Powers, Brown, Bradley, and Carpenter !;
Afessrs. Powers, White, Thompson, and several
others. The melodies we're produced ia very
entertaining manner; but the best feature OF
the evenings entertainment in this festival was
that Of the "Babes in the Woods" Measrs.
Il. 6. Powers and E, L. Brown took the part Of
the !" babes." They we're all covered with leayes,
and made two good-sized babies. At the close
OF the literary the sweetmeats we're very
liberal1y distributed.
ONE DRAWBACK
to each Of the three festivals WAS the being
left in utter darkness FOR the space OF ten or
fifteen minutes in the middle OF the entertain
ments By the giving out Of the supply OF gas
throughout the entire village. The late cold
weather made it almost Impossible for our new
gas company to manufacture at all.
The Baptist Society nre to hare their Christ
mas festival On Friday evening.