Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-01-02

text; appeared one OF the inscrip-
tons: savior "Redeemer,n
"Mediator," Messiah = on the
wall Immediately behind and
above the minister's desk in the
form Of a well proportioned arch in
German text, was this very appro-
pirate inscription, "The Lord our
Righteousness below which in
the recess of the arch was Ro-
rnan Cross, made also of ever
greens, on either side of which and
below was the word "HOly.n On
either side of this again was sus-
pended a pretty little banner of
snowy whiteness, bearing in letters
of gold these inscriptions, "Christ
Child, Prince of Peace.o
Christmas trees reaching almost
to the ceiling occupied places ON
either side of the altar, which we
feel warranted in saying were
among the most beautiful we have
ever seen, and which we can as
sure are not a few They were bril-
liantly illuminated with hundreds
of wax candles. The further adorn-
ments of the trees were in good
taste lin this assertion we feel con-
fident the little ones will agree
with us) consisting of pretty fiaga,
pictures and abundance of sweet
things.
The neat and tasteful appear
ance Of the pulpit and chancel de-
serve special mention. A beauti-
full and delicate double bordering
of ivy was handsomely arranged
around the altar. On stand inn
mediately in front, was a large
evergreen cross studded with nat
ural lilies, grown by Mrs. Geo. P.
Blessing. In front of this, in the
center of the balustrade, was
handsome marble urn ,draped with
ivy, land filled with beautiful leaves
of various shades. Suspended
on the east side of the church
was large and finely illuminated
star, symbolical of the "Star in the
East" The entire decoration of the
church showed excellent taste, and
was designed and carried out I'M
der the direction of Mr.. E. ID. Sta
ley, Superintendent of the school,
assisted by teachers and members
o + the church.
The opening exercises were con-
Quoted by the Rev. Mr.. Shellen-
berger. The further exercises of
the evening consisted of Scripture
lessons, Prayer, Address, Distribu-
ton of Gifts, &c. alternated by
singing. The address was a prac-
ticahle, simple, though appropriate
and forcible argument 10 the chill
dren, and we feel confident that
those who gave the minister their
attention, felt the weight and force
of his remarks, and went from the
church to their homes profited by
the occasion. But Messrs. Eds. it
would be doing the school a great
injustice were we to close this fee
BILE description without referring to
the singing. We were truly, though
agreeably surprised with thesplen-
did rendition of the several pieces
among which was "Gloria in Ex-
celsis, While Shepherds watched
their Flocks," christmas Carol"
DC. AS we listened to those pref
ty songs made more beautiful by
the sweet, soft, low and truly mus
ical expression given every note
and chord by these hundred little
voices, as we watched the bright
eyes, the smiling earnest little
faces, we seemed to feel that the
enthusiasm of those little ones was
becoming contagious, and our
hearts swelled with pride for them
We thought, Oh what a wonder
is this school singing under prop
er leadership.
We learned that the managers
of this school had placed the chill
dren for proper training in charge
of that gentlemanly and truly ac-
complished musical instructor, Prof
j. S Carroll, "a course which certain
ly is an exhibition of wisdom and
sound discretion on their part.
Judging from the excellent rendi-
ton of the music last night, we do
not hesitate to say he is working
wonders for which he as we'll as
the managers of the school may
we'll be proud.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
The exercises in this church
were simple, beautiful and unosten
L. I'M. -.