Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-01-24
CHRISTMAS AT sHEpHERDsTowN

A writer signed potomac" to the
Lutheran Jisitor, published at Colum-
bia, S. c., gives the following interest
ing description of the services held at
the Lutheran Church of this town, on
Christmas Evening =
Christmas is always time of great
rejoicing, bnt nowhere more so than at
Shepherdstown, and there with none
more so than with the Lutherans. For
many days busy hands had been at work
trimming the church and preparing for
a proper celebration of the birth OF the
worlds Redeemer. The day dawned
beautiful and bright, and was heralded
by sweet voices upon the streets hymn
ing praises TO the Saviour.
The preparations for the Christmas
Tree by the Sunday school precluded
the occupancy of the church for morning
service. but the Lutherans united with
the Reformed and Episcopalians, with
whom they hold the most friendly rela-
tons. The evening was anxiously wait
ed for by old and young, and at last it
came so balmy and pleasant that over
coats were scarcely needed. The moon
shone in all its glory, and all nature
around us rejoiced.
The hour announced for the exercises
to open was 1-2 o'clock, but SO anx-
ions were all TO secure seat that by b
o'clock the church was filled to its ut
most capacity-about seven hundred
persons being present. They found the
church beautifully and tastefully trim
med. The walls were adorned by rich
festoonings of evergreens hanging in
graceful curves, within which were sit
wreaths of arbor-vita, encircling the
notices, "WELcoME CHILDREN, "JEsUs
Loves You," "HAppY CHRISTMAS"
"HAu Your SAVIOUR" In one was
suspended an anchor in evergreen, and
in another ~. H. s." On the rear wall
to the east was golden Star encircled
by wreath, Immediately back OF the
pulpit was fine portrait of Luther. and
to the west Cross, all surrounded by
wreaths of the most exquisite workman
ship. Then spanning the whole rear
end of the church, in gracefully curving
lines, where the sentences, "Glory to
God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men, 'Jesus is born,
Emmanuel tastefully wrought in arbor
vitae.
At each front angle Of the chancel
stood beautiful Christmas Tree, upon
which burned thirty-six tapers. Be
tween these trees and spanning the
chancel was magnificent arch of ever
green, upon which were twelve lights,
and over the centre of the arch large
cross of evergreen and pure white flow
ers, made by talented Miss of fourteen.
Upon the pulpit was magnificent
white lily and collection of primroses
and other white flowers fancifully
grouped. Upon platform the whole
length of the chancel lay the presents
for the Sabbath school and gifts for
friends. Not the least pleasant feature
of the festival were four canary birds in
four windows of the church, whose sing
ing gave life to the occasion and pleas
ure to the occasion.
Mr.. little, the Superintendent an
nounced the programme as follows
Christmas Carol by the whole school;
PRAYER by the Pastor. Rev. j. Hawkins;
Christmas Hymn; Addresses by Hon.
G. Nj. Beltzhoover, one of the teachers,
and Rev. J. Hawkins; Distribution of
presents and gifts; singing by the school.
The presents for the children consist
ed of seventy-ive pounds Of candies,
fifty pounds of nuts, twenty-four pounds
of raisins, and two hundred and fifty
oranges. These were distributed in two
hundred and fifty tarlatan bags, and so
well was the distribution managed that
but few minutes were consumed. Then
came the delivery of gifts put there for
friends. We know not the number of
boxes and bundles, but there must have
been over three hundred. One thing
we do know, yea, two of them, there
were hundreds of bright faces and happy
hearts, and the pastor and his family
came in the list, and received presents
to the amount of about $40.
Everybody went away happy, and
long will Christmas be remembered by
the Lutherans at Shepherdstown, for
they feel that their effort was COM
plete success.