Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-12-29

ing. In all the churches the services on
Christmas Eve Sunday were suiled to the
Joyous character Of the day, the Sunday
schools have had their special festivals, and
in very many private houses there have
been happy family gatherings about the
time honored, but over fresh and beautiful
Christmas tree. Below VIC give series of
notes upon the various public observances.
IN THE CHURCHES
AT the Baptist church on Sunday eve
ming the Rev. Mr.. Burchard reviewed the
characters and personages connected with
the remarkable event which Christmas
commentaries. The PASTORS delineation
Of the shepherds, angels, magi, king.
prophets and priest was inters persed with
excellent music. "Thc Star Of Bethlehem"
was beautifully rendered by Misses White
and Sherman TO flute accompaniment by
Nj. II. X. White.
DIR. Walkers Sunday morning sermon
at the Centre Congregational church was
from Matthew 2:2: "Where is he that is
born king Of the Jews" etc., and the mu-
sic by the choir was happily adapted to the
day.
At the Universalist church Mr.. Harris
held Christmas morning service and in
the evening a very successful Sunday
school concert was given, Of which due
note is made further on.
Mr.. Jenkins's sermon, al The Unitarian
church was on ''the Gospel TO the Poor"
and the discourse emphasized The mission
of Christ in raising up the common people
and giving them place in the worlds
work and history.
AT tho Methodist church Mr.. Perry
preached in the.morning from Luke 2 10,
II, II: "And the angel said unto them fear
not" etc. III the evening the Sunday
school gave a concert which was in every
way happy and successful effort. The
smaller children of the school opened the
evening with appropriate Rotations, and
then followed regular Christmas exercise,
the central figure Of which was the placing
OF the blocks in n pyramid by class Of
young ladies, the pyramid, when complet-
ed, representing various elements in the
Christian character. The different parts
were all perfectly learned and distinctly
recited.
At the Catholic church the chancel was
handsomely decorated with wreaths and
festoons Of evergreen, aud over the altar
encrcled with evergreen, was the legend,
"Glory TO God on high" midnight mass
was celebrated on Sunday night, with fine
music, and the altar being brilliantly light
ed with candles, presenting magnificent
appearance. At this service the church was
densely crowded, many Protestants going
thore 10 witness the impressive spectacle.
ST. MICHAEL's EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Which was handsomely and appropri-
ately, if not deliberately decorated for
Christmas, was especially remarkable for
the refined taste which pervaded all its APP
pointmenis. Owing TO the indisposition OF
the Rector, Rev. w. ii. Collins, the Christ
mas Eve service was wholly conducted by
Rev. DR.. Tyler, who delivered an able and
impressive discouis sc from II. Peter, 8: "a.
Christmas morning, DIR. Tyler, whose SER
mon is published in another column, con-
Quoted the full morning and communion
services, assisted in the latter by the rector.
The music, which always forms an import
ant feature in the Christmas services Of the
Episcopal church, was rendered in an I'M
usually brilliant manner this year, and the
selections, as will he seen from The ap-
pended list, were of a high order:
cHRIsTMAs EVE.
Bonum est conhter., from HANDLES Alfalfa
Does Misereatur in fiat. ........... Dudley Buck.
Hymn-H came upon the midnight clear.
Music by Arthur Sullivan.
Hymn-Messah is King. Music by Geo. Vim. Warren.
CHRISTMAS MORNING.
BY Earl Of Morningon.
Ie DsuIn.. G. c. kiopiei.
Music by Henry wilson.
USIvERsALIsT CHRISTMAS CONCERT.
The Christmas concert in the Univer-
salist church last Sunday evening, called
out an immense congregation which filled
the house in every part; asles and apte-
rooms were crowded, and many were
obliged TO go away because they could not
even get beyond the outside entrance. The
concert opened with fine music by the sen
tetie band, which is so popular at such en-
tcrtainments; then followed the usual sun
day school ritual service, afler which came
Christmas greeting from one OF the young
men. The recilalions were varied in senti-
ment but very appropriate. The little chill
dren did remarkably well. Each one knew
just when 10 speak and how 10 act. The
piece entitled the Centennial Party" was
very pleasing Y rendered by several of the
smaller children each one, representing
some great interest in America with gin
in hand. came and laid it on the altar Of
Liberty, giving expression 10 the senii.
ment Of the interest they represented. The
principal piece was entitled 1.-The Star in
the East" specially prepared for the Christ
mas concert. This was participated in by
several. a large gilt star was hung upon
the wall in rear of the platform, and as
each one came upon the stage they pre-
senteda letter which was placed in the CEN
Ter Of the star, until the words, "Christ, our
Saviour" were seen there. The speaking
was ySry fine and gave evidence of thor
ough training. All went away saying il
was the best concert ever given by the Uni
versalist Sunday school. The sextelte
band added very much TO the enjoyment of
the evening.
UNITARIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL ENTERTAIN |
MENT.
The Unitarian Sunday School celebrat-
ed Christmas night in very happy man
ner at Harmony hall. The entertainment
opened with a series or tableaux, panto-
mines, etc., which were successfully car
ried out and afforded much pleasure 10 the |
audience of both old and young. The YER
liable and original Mother Goose was pres
ent and gave remarkably apt and lucid ex-
plantations Of the hidden meaning of many |