The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-27
CHURCH SERVICES.
CONGREGATIONAL Church,

uits anniversary, Ncurly oUU peinons WeIe
present.
Gloria, from Mass in G., composed by
Mr.. Meitzke, was rendered for the first
time with pleasing effect, Mrs. Meitzke
singing soprano solo. The 2o2d hymn
was sung by the congregation. The lesson
in scripture read was the 53d chapter of
Isaiah.
"Christian awake salute the happy
morn," music by Warren, was beautifully
rendered by the choir A. f. Walker and
j. G. Pease, bass, MIR. Bailey, tenor, and
Mrs. Meitzke, soprano, singing solos.
The Rev. Mr.. johnson took the follow
ing as the text Of his discourse
"And the angel said unto them, fear not, for,
behold, | bring you good tidings OF great Joy,
which shall be TO all people. Luke 1l-lO
The world has little more than begun to
realize the promise which the text affords
The message is one of peace, and not of
disturbance, and of one who rounds into
completeness the character of man. The
celebration of his birth-Chrstmas as n
festival belongs not more TO one age or to
one church than to another. 1t tends to
convince men that Christ as savior was
one of 10y, came to all men. These re-
ligious wars that had almost depopulated
the earth, differed only from other wars in
the greater intensity of the passions and
were not the outgrowth of the spirit of
Christ.
The room in which we gathered for
prayer will be none the less halowed that
it has witnessed these anniversary festivi-
ties and rupg with children's laugh. Christ
has recognized by his course on earth the
spirituality of certain festivities Though
life Is full of responsibilities of fearful
nature, the text shows how we may bring
into our families a christian joy. The
gifts which men receive may differ and the
results may differ, but tie reward, as in
the parable, is the same, and is for faithful
ness alone. We cannot stand before
him with joy in our hearts when we
have an intent to do wrong. No one
can be right with God until he gives up
his purpose TO sin. The reward is only to
the good and faithful servant. There
must be no ghosts of murdered opportu-
mites rising to disturb us, and christian Joy
is impossible without a consciousness of
earnest faithfulness of good purposes.
Devotional reading has come TO be the de-
mand of most religious minds not 30 much
for the thoughts they bring us as the
thoughts they induce or suggest. Nothing
can rob us of the JOY that comes of pure
lfe-a christian Joy. Sorrow even cannot
take it away. We cannot meet the prob
lens which advanced science presents, we
cannot understand the creation but there
is in us presentiments Of power-an
inner consciousness which has II power
greater than any scientific hypothesis. To
connect us with the unknown we needed a
human savior. Let this anniversary find
us with higher ideals of duty. Let the
echos which rang out of the skies of
Bethlehem be our perpetual cheer.
Mr.. johnson closed his discourse with
the following hymn
1t came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song OF DID,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps OF gold;
"Peace to the earth, goodwill to man,
From heavens all gracious king"
The earth In solemn stiffness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
Oye, beneath life's crushing load.
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toll along the climbing way,
With palnfulsteps and Slow
Look up! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
Oh, rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing
For 10 !! the days are Fastening on,
BY prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever circling years
Comes round the age Of gold
When peace shall over all the earth
It's final splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sng
CHILDs' CHRISTMAS oRAToRIo.
In the evening the chapel was well filled
the church to witness the performance of
"Christmas Chimes" vocal concert and
recital arranged by Mr.. H. f. Field, with
a special view Of presenting the lesson of
the birth of Christ in pleasing and in
structive form. The superintendent, ex-
Governor Page, directed tine exercises.
After hymn sung by the school, the an
them
"And there were shepherds"
music by Williams, was rendered very
finely, particularly the solos by Mrs.
Meitzke and Miss Olmstead.
After prayer by the pastor, Rev. Mr..
johnson, "Watchman tell us of the night, "
was sung by the choir. The programme
of christmas chimes" was then entered
upon. Glasses, parts of classes and in
dividual scholars, in different parts of the
school, responding in prose and verse to
questions read by the superintendent,
ELECTED the history and lesson OF the
Saviors' birth. This interspersed with
music by the choir, produced pleas
ing effect. 1t was noticed that the youngest
children reclted with superior excellence.
A solo awake christian Children" sung
prettily by young Miss Janet Ripley, fol-
lowed by solo "Wake We faithful chris
tian," by Miss Eliza Olmstead, the whole
school joining in chorus, was very effec-
tive.
Superintendent Page reported that the
Sabbath school had increased from %
scholars present year ago to 277 present
in their classes yesterday, while there were
about 1876 on the roll of scholars. New
classes had been formed, one particularly
for young men who were especially invited
to join.
After an address by Rev. Mr.. johnson
! the exercises closed with singing
| "Praise God from whom all blessings low."
Christmas at Trinity Church.
A good congregation assembled at Trim
ity church for Christmas service on Satur
day morning. The services were very i'm
presssive, the beautiful ritual of tn,
church being supplemented with severa
fine musical selections especially fo
Christmas worship, and the Holy Eucharis
being administered TO communicates afte
the sermon. The services were opened
with Warren's spirited anthem "Christian