Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-17


again, and the cities are putting on their Holt
day attire. Evidences Of the near approach OIL
this holiday are found in nearly every shoT
window aud though it is yet too early for III,
symbolic evergreen to be found at every cor
ner, and visible at the windows Of half tho
dwellings, still the sights arc unmis,akable in
indicating the approach of this high festival Of
the Church The vast increase which has
taken place in the observance Of this holiday in
later years, has been the subject Of much com
mcnt. Through the South and West it has
always been the greatest festival Of the year,
far exceeding even the Fourth Of July, but in
the Northeastern portions Of the country It's
Observance with any popularity hardly dates
back fifteen years. The Puritan honored his
God in dshonoting the day, estceming It a
relic Of the superstition Of the Roman age
shall mover forget the amazemcnt Of the able
professor Of a New Hampshire academy, when
asked him, in my ignorance Of the custom Of
the school, whether we were to have school on
Christmas day. "Why not, sir was the
answer, curt and peremptory. We had school
and but for the almanac I should never have
suspected that one BALI Of the remainder Of the
world were having good time
That was in the good old time Now the
case is quite different Nothing illustrates
better the growing in grace Of the Puritan
element Of the city than the punctilious OBJ
soryanco Of this day ia the Congregational
churches The change ia this respect has been
gradual one but very marked few years
ago the day was unknown to them But last
year, happening into one Of the strictest Of
these, was amused to observe that even The
evergreen with It's suggestive bcncmctions had
penetrated even the iron domain of Congroga-
tionalism The church was ornancnted on
either side OF the pulpit with two enormous
Christmas trees, while appropriate festoons Of
green cncrclod every conspicuous position.
Times have changed and it seems possible
that, perhaps, in some future days. the bickor-
ings Of centuries mny be laid aside OF course
great preparations for the due celebration Of this
fest arc made by The Roman and transplanted
Anglican churches Services 10 these churches
commence on Christmas eve, and continuing
20 midnight, recommcnce before daylight, and
close ut noon. All that music and ornament
IL. T., make s,cl, scoro. e,I a.a 80
h.. ,tcso ,.l,,,rcI,s ,1,..' -
mining tot,yo d,yliob, i oa..,,a, -,
,be l,,rer classes ,,l,,. ,ro f,.,,oli.. -
,i,,,r classes who ara Fni.,onali,ns ad
r,ngers from an Accommodation e,cl !, c.a,,
c,riosi,v =, these irnnressiy. so-vi.os GU,
posis Ginning bnt bos not como 90, -, 80,
leave Che suhiect q, tl,e c,rs;,ie-,ti,, ~ ST.,
CLAN. trtio rrc.crt
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.,n...r die ro,ntrv IN nreyo,t emo ..,cr.o
.f in,,rl.,epce in ',b,, oa.i-s lo;,,,. ai-,.,.t
arI,,.,lf.fl nv tho American ro..,lo 49,.
m,o.lip mo-, increased Win 49, s,,, ~ .to
e.o.us and pr,bably ,viliro, no t,,,.r-..
dal ike PLAYED by somcb,dy an tre Sn,r.
i'll. war steamer " Arop,ics " has hoo, H..
subject of considerable comment hi. ,r.-
shin has been some time r,itting n. tbc Br,,k
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