Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-12-17
Church Decoration.

f0wen IN summer. sud eFcrgreens a
Christmas. is nov Almost universal 10 ca
Now England i0Wus Il Is beautiful
one, 10 be most heartily welcomed and re
ioioed in. But in order that these deco
raiiOas may be a help TO worship, ihey
must Re arranged with good TASTE
aud with reference TO their fitness
for the place fer nowhere else Is I
fault in taste 50 painfully conspicuous a
in a church, where the whole eOngrega-
ton is obliged to witBess il. As the time
draws near FOR decorating our churches
for Christmas, a few hints on this subjec,
may not be out Of place.
First. Avoid all shams aud limitations,
as out of place; for true worship requires
that only true things should be brsugh, as
an Offering into the house Of the Lord aud
il is an ofense equally 10 the religious
sense and to good taste when anything
false, gsudy or iawdryis seen in church.
Natural flowers are most beautiful aud st.
ting offerings. but wax or paper limitations
OF them are an outrage; so are all devices
of gilt paper, such as iiusel stars, crowns,
and crosses these cheap couuterieits may
do for theaters aud opera houses, but, ra.
Their than have such barren mockcrics ia
eur churches. give US rlain, untrimmed
walls and pulpiIs, for they, OF least, DO not
degrade the place.
Second, Do not over1o in the matter of
trimming; simplicity both as to quantity
aud quality Icing absolutely essential to
to the proper effect. We do not want a
church to leok hike a flower garden, nor
an ovcrgrowu arbor, though flowers aud
erergreeus are both exquisite decorations
in suitable quantities and when properly
arranged.
Third. Let whatever is done be done
thoroughly. BY attempting too much the
workers are often hurried at the last, and
this gives to the decorations an unfinished
aud sloyenly appearance, and anything
which has one-sided look, or seems about
to fall for want OF support, or in any way
strikes the observer as untidily done, is a
positive pain when looked upon week af. |
ter week. DO not plan, thcn for iuore
than be easily accomplished, after making
allowances for the unavoidable deten,ions
and mishaps which are sure TO occur, and
you will escape great drive at the end
which is almost certain to iujure the whole
effect.
lfpeoplc will but bear in mind that the
sacredness Of the place forbids show, false
limitations and puerilties Of all kinds, aud
that few choice and appropriate decora.
tious are far better than anything on a
grand scale, the. will not be likely to Of.
tcud either pure taste or devotional feel.
ing
Fortunately, in this region our weeds
furnish the most desirable material for al.
proprlate ornamentation our laurels aud
ground-pines being so exquisite in color.
and the latter of such delicate texture,
that they can together be ,wined into al.
most any form, aud in al are both elegant
and charming; while they bring to us the
sweet odors of tho woods, and, hes: OF all,
are Gods own beautiful handiwerk, speak.
Ing to us of his love for all things fresh
and fair. A cross of spotlessly white lilies
Is perhaps the most exquisite decoration
that can be brought into a church, but in
winter flowers are very costly, while a
cross OF ground.pine and laurel leaves is
scarcely less beautiful, and is within tie
reach OF all. But these lovely crosses
may be spoiled by the insertion Of dried
leaves or dried flowers, which greatly mar
the exquisite beauty OF their greenuess.
Of course, there are diversilies of taste
IN this matter, but that quiet simple y
should be the rule, few will deny.
We owe debt of gratitude to those
generous workers who give their time and
labor to arranging these decorations, and
1t they chance to sometimes show want
of cultivated taste, no one likes to find
fault, when the work is done rather than
iuJurc their feelings we then silently sub.
nit to what may painfully jar on our ideas
Of fitness aud protriety This is. there.
fore, the tie for kind and friendly sug.
gestlons.
Let us hope our churches may oil DO
decorated, this coming Chaistmus per.
haps no better mode can be sct before US
than that Of the old prophet Isaiah, who
says: The glory Of Lebanon shall come
unto thee. the fr-tree and pine aud the
box together, to beautify the place of my
sanctuary; and | will make the place off
my feet glorious"