The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-12-30
EPlsTLE FROM "a STRANGER. !"


Ridgway, and it was my particular good
fortune to be there on Saturday and
Sunday last. have nothing very impor-
tant to communicate to you and the
readers of your much respected "ADvc-
CATE" but l think that perhaps few
crude thoughts concerning what
stranger witnessed in Ridgway might
be of readable interest to few persons,
though the crude thoughts be clothed
in very crude apparel. The first
thought suggested by the newly erected
churches is that Ridgway must be i'm.
proving in point of moras The contrast
is won 1eriul indeed if the present church
status Of Ridgway be compared with
that of two years ago. The difference is
very marked aud only mention it to
show you what stranger observes.
Last Saturday | was pleased to hear
much said about beautiful "Christmas
tree" at the Methodist Church on the
previous evening, about the great
variety OF fruit it bore, and many fash
ing eyed "litt!e folks" iu tie streets as
they passed me, chattered and twittered
most feelingly concerning an "Old KRIS
Kringie" who presented the gifts. l
heard much too about very lovely
Christmas tree connected with the Sab.
bath school of Grace Church, and that
it was laden with very valuable presents.
Indeed | regret very much that l did
not come to Ridgway on Friday that |
could have seen both of the "trees"
above mentioned; somewhat to my relief
however / learned that the Lutherans
would have Christmas services on Satur-
day evening in their Church and that
to these services all were invited. AT
an early hour | vended my way with the
merry throug to attend the festivities
On entering the church | found that
even standing room was ahove par and
could hardly be obtained, in short, the
room was crowded to its utmost capacity
The church was very tasteiu,ly decoru-
ted with testoons. wreaths and crosses
made Of pine, laurel, and hemlock
branches. Artificial b"que,s of variga-
ted hue were placed here aud there
which added largely to the beauty of
the baudlwork. On the east of the
pulpit was a canvas in framework
trimmed with evergreen upon this csD-
vass was merrily inscribed Merry
Christmas with inks Of different coors
while behind it were placed lighted
apers whose rays shot through the
screen making merry Christmas" very
attractive. Above the pulpit arch on
the wall was written in modest charact-
ters "Peace on earth and good vW to
men, while to the west Of the pulpit
stood the great object of gaze and of iu-
terest "a thing Of beauty" The JOY OF
the evening 1t not "a jog forever"
The Christmas tree. Its long bran-
ches stretched out extensively On all
sides and Its towering tops touched the
ceiling above. 1t was brilliantly lighted
with wax candle, whose rays We're re-
fected from FURNISHED tinsel, and much
besides that glistened; But the most
pleasing sight OF all vas the groups OF
merry children whose smiling faces,
earnest chatter, busy hands aud throb-
ding anxious hearts made ,his indeed
thrillingly joyous occasion "A Merry,
Marry Christmas The Lords Prayer
was repeated by the school in concert
as the opening exercise, which was fol-
lowed by singing Gloria in E,ccelsis'
blythe choir. After this an aged man
whom l learned was the pastor intro
duced Squire. Bailey" as the speaker OF
the occasion. The address delivered
was short, racy, aud appropriate, The
fruits Of the tree were then plucked aud
they proved to be of highly beneficial
character. Honor anyone tUho as bold
enouyh in these days Of Sho,o and vaniy
to put on a Christmas tree gifts that
~W be of practical Ualte, of some
permant use and benefit. Every body
who spoke in my hearing about those
gifts, said "how ,ciSe yheir gi0erS ,oerc.'
saw children receive hats boots dresses.
scarts, gloves, and to many OF them il
was "a God send" The pastor received
(and it caused much merrimet) shirt
and by the way l hope it fits him well
Tor it is hard task to be a christian
and wear a badly fitting shirt. I can-
not help commencing with all my heart
the choice of sitts for that tree. The
exercises passed off very creditably and
all concerned ought to feel grati6ed. q.
There was time when | did not stop at
Ridgway over Sunday but now | stop
here whenever | can. Iecapuot close