Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-29
ClIri tmas at the Union Presbyterian
Church..

greater ana more generous lite. Are there
those WHO think any expense, pains or labor
10 be spared 10 make those around them
We hope DOT There are too mapy
OF the struggling mass whose Christmas would
be u blank, but for the generous hearted too
uaoy already that have never, even 10 their
childhood, had a Christmas ; too many who,
when this joyous season comes. can polut you
to no pleasant memories who have sunk under
u c,ld, proud worlds score,
Siruegl pg ou from year to year,
Their sole relief, the scaldlug tear
too many who have seen every cherished mem
Dry swept away, and
Hope laded flowers strewed all the Way
That led them UP IL msnhoou' day.
Oh, how beautiful and appropriate then. vas
the dcIightIuircuu!on, last night, OF the scholars
OF the Sunday School connected with th@
UrioD Presbyterian Church.
UpoL entering th, Ctu:c the scene present.
ed TO the eye was truly graOd. Suspended
from the ceutre OF the ceiling u The galleries
were large tolds OF evergreen, forming a cauopy,
10 the centre OF which swung la!g-, perfectly
formed. evergreen bell. % the pulpit. lns,eaI
of a tree, as heretofore, there Was d large
Temple, the interior Of which could BE- plaiuIy
seen by the large audience present. The first
object that met the eye ID this temple was a
large gas t star, THE Star Of Bcthlehem,'
brightly Illuminated, and hanging around it w:re
Gags Of canary birds whlstllug tneir mer!Ie=t
tupce, accompanied by the peals OF the large
organ 10 the rear of the pulpit, presided over
By Mrs. Charles Whitilesey. Surrounding
tue temple, 90 the pulpit, were piled the Gu.
merous aud beautiful gifts 10 be presented. the
Who'll: bclng brilliantly Illuminated, aud pre-
seutIng a scene nIvcr eXcelied and rarely
,qoaied in Alexandria, at least.
Loag be ore the hour Of COMMENCING the
exercises tie Church vas literally pacl ed,
every available space being occupied
Promptly at half. past seven O'Clock the
scholars OF the school marched dowo from the
gallery, headed by tie teachers, to seats re-
served 10. them 10 The body OF the Crurch,
aud the exercises begau.
Mr.. Fl. W. BeadIe, Superintendent of the
school, gave gu! the opening hymn,
lis the promise Of God full salvation to
give,
Uu,o them who % Jesus his Soo will be.
"Iicvt,"
which Was sung BY the school aod congre-
ga'lon.
R.v. D.. j.. j. Bullock, the dcscrvcd,y
popular pastor Of the Church, then offered up
d short, frrvent prayer of thanksgiving, tnank-
my the Glver Of all Good Gifts tor the bless
ioys that had been bestowed upoo them during
The year just drawing to lis close, and asking
Tor ! coououauce OF those blessings durlog that
upon which they were about to enter that the
teachers may be tmbucd with wisdom TO teach,
and many scholars won to Christ.
nv H. 49, ~ fNL-,k r,n- tI--
read from the Gospel of ST. Luke, concluding
wsth, Glory to Ged 10 the highest, and Oh
earth, peace, god will toward meu.'
The hymn,
Ring the bells of Heaven,
there Is joy TO day"
was then suog ty the school, Mr.. A. w.
Harrison leading.
The Superintendent, Mr.. Beadle, then made
a few remarks, thanking the teachers for their
past kiudoess and renewed confidence, aud
urged al! 70 improve the opportunities for doing
good, Tor onc- gone, they are gone forever,
and # there was one 10 that large audience
who was out It Christ, new was the opror.
tunNy for that one, for Christ stood with gut-
stretched arms, willing aud able to bes.pW upon
them a gilt that would not only give them peace
and ioy 10 this world, cut would be a source Of
hupplncss that would last them throughout
the ~ceaseiess ages of eternity.
After the remarks of Mr. Beadle, a quar-
teite. composed Of Messrs. a. ". Harrison
aud w. w. Wilicughby, and Mrs. Charles
WbittIcsey and Mrs. Harrison, Miss Clara
Harrison presiding at the organ, sang 10 q
Fery tue style,
blessed be the Damc Of the l. I'd forever"
Reports were read showing the school 10 De
in a very prosperous condition, after which
the school saug When He c0meth 10 make
up his Jewels"
Rev. DR.. Bullock then made a short, but
appropriate address. to the officers aud teach
ers OF the school, c~1nplmcnilng them for
their iaithiulress during tie past year, and
assuring them that as their efforts have been
blessed in the past, 81, il they continue faith
ful, backing their efforts by their prayers and
a consistent Cody lite, they will be made glad
by seeing those committed to their care com-
ing to Christ.
Sex ye the Lord vas then very 6ucly
rendered By The quartette mentioned above.
After The sln.:lug Of this hymn, Mr.. Robert
Bill. sr., one of the Elders Of the Church,
came forward, and after a few remarks 20 The
scholars OF the school, 10 a very peat address,
on behalf of he school, presented the Super
intepdent, Mr.. II. W. sadie, with very
handsome piece of silver the assistant, also,
was the r%ccipien, Of a very pretty present:
Mr.. Bell, on behalf of Mrs. DR.. Bullock
BILE class, presented that LAZY with a very
handsome piece Of silver also presented Mrs.
Snyder, and Mcssrs. j. 2. Agnew and VIM.
I. EmmersoD presents from their respective
classes.
The scholars of the school were then pre-.
seuted with their presents, which we're received
with delight, especially by the younger scholars.
who received, 10 addition TO the regular gifts,
very handsome wax dolls.
After the distribution of the presents, the
school and congrp CATION sang the hymp,
ITO day the Saviour calls.
and after the beDediction by Rev. D.. Bullock,
this delightful reunion ended, the large audience
passing out a. the organ pealcd forth a brau'i-
:ul March, and thus, at the U,ioo Presb, te-
rian Church, Christmas, which,
with merry gIadpess gilds the youthful
face,
And bids affection smooth the aged brow,