Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-12-31
LAST CHRISTMAS.
THE FEsTIyALs--CHRIsTM TREES
HOW THE DAY WAS SPENT,

Christmas WOulQ nave Uctu q Sioseo |
brighter in Staunton but for the disIhai
rain, that set in Friday morning ana JUST
totally spoiled Christmas Eve, which IS
always the most delightful part OF christ
mas, on the principle, we suppose, tl'a'
there is a subtle charm about expectation
that realization does not contain. "A WORSE
effect was the great damage the rain dld
the business men, keeping our country
friends away from town, and greatly Ies-
SEEMING the sales Of our merchants. 1he
Anniversary day itself was lively enough
and the boys took it out on pop crackers
with great vigor, for the few hours allowed
chem by the City Council. One light only
narred the peace Of the day. We give De-
low a full account of where and how the
season was spent by our people,
FESTIVAL, CHRISTMAS EVE, AT THE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The 1st Presbyterian Church Christmas
celebration came off Christmas Eve, and
very pleasant affair it proved. In spite OF
tho unpleasant weather, the little ones
turned out in full force, and many Of the
older members Of the congregation, as we'll
"a the officers and teachers of the Sunday
school were present. Every member OF
the Sunday school was presented with
badge. on which was printed the pro-
gramme for the evening, also each class had
pref white banner with red number.
The effect as one entered the Church was
quite unique. The banner for the Infant
Depar ment wa, Love and JOY"
Rev. VIM. E. Baker opened the services
bv asking if each one had a badge. and
showing exac ly how they were to be worn.
| After this the audience had the pleasure
! of hearing he by ans, "The Ninety and
| Nine" AMI "Hold the Fort" sung by
eleven 70 ng ladies from the Augusta
Femal- Seminary, who were called "Gos
pel Singers" because, rs explained by MI.
I'Baker, they sang gospel songs. They were
followed by S ort add ess by the Pastor
lead .ny the children to think seriously OF
the Scripture ecita ions which We're t.
follow, closing his remarks with shor
prayer of thanksgiving.
Then came the reading by the Pastor o
portions of Scripture, containing the in
vtations and promises OF Christ, TO eacl
of which the school responded, Java,
with Him: away with Him; cruelty HIM
in order to show the enmity of the Jew
to the Saviour.
Mr.. Baker then spoke of the teaching
of Christ on various subjects, which Wer
illustrated by passages of Scripture giv5l
! by each class separately. The Gospel Sing
| ers again glatihed the audience by singing
the beautiful hymn, ''More to follow,
after which MI Baker went among tn
very little scholars, and walking up AM
down the aisle, in familiar manner ha
them sing with him two or three littl
Sunday-school songs, and their child voice
mingled with his stronger one, sounde
very sweetly.
A very interesting feature Of the even
ing was the presentation of Bibles on tn
part of the church to the baptized childre
who had reached the age of 7 years sine
the last Christmas. AS this presentation
had not taken place for three years, ther
were quite number of children over
years of age entitled to Bibles. Twenty
; two were given out, but as there was not
sufficient number Of Bibles in town tina
were suitable and the church had bough
up all that could be gotten, the elder o
! the children entitled TO them must wait
} The following children: Lille Arthur
Fanny Paris, Julia Nelson, 7. Dickerson
!; Fanny Baker, Sallie K. Bayly, Minnie Bic
Ale, Kenton Harper, Tolim G. Djckerson
| Harry @. Waddell, Miller McCue, Wilt
H. Miller, Fanny Rosen, Chas. E. Picker
SalIie B. Hanger, Fanny Blackly, JANET;
S. Waddell, Francis G.. Hartman, Saral
Grattasl, James S. Templtton, Will
Reese, and Jno. Abby, as their names wer
cilled, went forward to the platform ant
received heir Bibles, in each of which wa
j.. | written: t'ro - -: The LIST Pres
, ! Oh. of staunton to a child of the Cove
nant'' After tile children had returned
TO their seats, the Gospel Singers sang
~ hat shall the harvest be-" And thei
/. came what Mr.. B,ker callei, ''Descendins
deeper into the subject" Each class, a
called, took up their line of march for TIN
basement, Where were spread tables ladei
with good things.
Down stairs they found the room deco
rated with everggeens, and star contain
ing the motto, "Christ is our Star, and il
one corner Was JACOBS Ladder, from
, which hung scores of Christmas bags o
sweet things for the little ones. Oyer
, Aundred yards of table was strung arount
the room, and on it was all the materia
, for a nice supper, and bonbons. Their
was a plenty for all, and the best of orde
was preserved. About 9 O'Clock the happ
affair broke up with some official reports,
5 as Mr.. Baker called them, in the way o
popcrackers and Roman candles discharged
outside.
| CHRISTMAS TREE AT THE SECOND PRES
BYTERIAN CHURCH.
: / The children Of the Sabbath school o
| of the I'd Presbyterian church assembled
4 on Christmas evening at O'Clock at tina
place of worship. Maj. Jed. Hotchkiss
, | the Superintendent of the school, conduct
! ed the services of the occasion. A larg
number of the congregation and many out
side friends showed their interest i'll tn
school by their attendance. Some prett
. HYMNS for children were led by the choi
and joined in by the little ones, after whic
| the children were asked some questions y
> | the Superintendent. The presence of a
J. ! immense Christmas tree, reaching fror
= ! the floor to the ceiling, and lighted wit
hundreds of candles, revealing a dazzlin
| wealth of toys and goodies acted as a
| incentive to prompt answers. and one yer
young gentleman, in reply to ''Who wen
| to see our Savior when he was born?
promptly replied adam and Eve," a.