St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-12-28
st. Johnsbury East.

membered by all who were present.
st. Johnsbury East.
The Christmas festival under the
auspices of the Sunday school, was
celebrated in the Congregational church
Monday evening. In our Judgment it
surpassed anything of the kind ever
witnessed here. Several novel and in
teresting features were introduced and
received each with marked favor. The
exercises commenced with an opening
piece by the choir, beautiful and very
appropriate. Prayer was then offered
by Rev. j. P. Humphrey. Then fol-
lowed series of recitations very meri-
torious. One exercise we will describe ::
There appeared at the rear of the stage
an exquisite white cross with fine crys-
talized surface, having eleven sheets of
blank paper affixed at regular intervals
both perpendicularly and transversely
upon it. Eleven little misses then ad-
vanced to the stage, and the first step
ped TO the cross and took from thence
the first blank paper, disclosing the
letter b beautifully illuminated, and
then repeated passage of scripture the
first word of which commenced with
this letter. All then followed success
sively, unceveriDg letter, and repeat
ing passage beginning with each let
ter thus brought TO light, until the
whole motto bear the Cross,n appear
ed in beautifully illuminated letters of
variegated eOlors. Afterwards they all
united in singing a charming little piece.
Then followed declarations, recitations,
songs, ETC., of which we cannot particu-
larize. One thing we must mention
was the bringing upon the stage of a
miniature Christmas tree, wholly I'M
decorated. Miss NJ. Siisby then made a
very fine address descriptive of" Christ
mas time," and bewailing the empty
tree, when Miss S. Hallett appeared
bearing an exquisite wreath which she
named, Lore. After having made few
remarks, descriptive of its many beau
ties, it was hung upon the tree. Then
followed the wreaths Meekness, Charity,
Forgiveness, and finally the Cross and
Grown. All the bearers in turn made
brief and appropriate remarks. The
cross was then deposited upon the tree,
which, with the wreaths decorated it
completely. Miss S. then crowned Miss
H., and all united in singing Corona
tiOn." The most striking event of the
evening was the advent of Santa Claus
re-. Copp) himself, with the merry
jingling of sleigh bells) at the side win
dow of the pulpit recess, to the great
merriment of the children. He ad-
vanced to the front of the stage, loaded
with every variety of present, made a
humorous address, and after making
presents of confectionery to the chill
dren, disappeared as unexpectedly as
he came. Then followed the distribu-
ton of presents from the two heavily
loaded trees. Almost every one had
something and more. Only a few of
the most noticeable can be mentioned.
Rev. j. P. Humphrey and Mrs. Hum
phrey were presented with a fine oil
painting lin beautiful gilt frame,) exc
cuted by Miss Inez Goodall. A silver
pickle jar to Mrs. David Chapman.
Two silver cake baskets, one to Mrs. j.
G. Hovey, the other to Mrs. w. M.
Hovey. A fine centre table and chair
to Mrs. Q. M. Severance. A black
walnut "whatnotS to Mrs. M. G.. Knapp.
Two silver vases to Miss Jennie Chap
man. The exercises passed off very
quietly and very enjoyably under the
excellent management of Mr.. Rufus
Wood. Many thanks are due Superin-
tendent Hale and the committee, Messrs.
Wood, l. and D. A. Chase, and others,
for their efficient services.