Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-28
christmas at the Union Presbyterian
Church.

and death he demands Ct the law have
been satisfied, and Mercy swsys the sceptre.
What ought Christmas 10 nrioy to the
grief stricken IF earth ?-(aud mlny thtre
Oe)-but bore; euabliug :hem to lJ k begond
this vale OF tears into 40 eternity Ct hal pines,
where they iali meet loved oucs from whom
they how, % 70 lorg separated. Yes, one ty
one, dear faces; loves faces q:c missed al Earth
yearly gatherings, tu; at Heavens reuaious
there will be no sad parting. Past tria's, past
sorrows. are Heavens joys To those bowed
dowa with trouble, it can bring Peace. 10 the
guilty, who desire l., it brings Mercy, aud TO
the weary, car;h's toiling Millions it briggs
Rest. U,hsr4d 10, as it was, by The voice oil
angels.
So le. raDscm ID ncu reply,
Chanting the eel stial anthem.
Celery be to God GO high.
Long before the hour announced iGr the
opuni Of the doors, the street ia front of The
Church vas lncd with people, and whcU they
were admitted, there was presented to their
view spectacle that was truly grand. and
which might be tqualcd, but txcclled it cannot
be by the Union Presbyterian, or, We believe,
by apy other Church.
The decorations we're Of the very best order,
arranged 10 truly artistic style. There were
suspended from the ceure of the ceiling four
heavy garauda OF cedar, which were attached
TO the tour pillars OF the Church, forming q
beautiful canopy, from the centre ct which
swuog a mniture cedar bower, flying angel,
and large cross, while all the pillars were
twn;d with ivy, and there were wreaths and
stars all over the Church. But on entering the
Church, there burst upon the view of the be-
holder from The pulp 81 ght, the magnl6cence
Of which, perhaps took much OF the real beau
ty from the other decorations, There was on
the pull pit platform q large, lealy bower, beau
tifuy orDamontcd without, and on the Inside
was iuuntaiu sending forth stream OF water,
the sides of which we're made Of large mirrors,
giving the platform the appearance as if it
was full of distant fountains and bowers, and
ccntreug the beauty Of the whole Church 10
one place, directly facing the audieLc,. Hang
ing in and around tho bower were cages Of
birds, which seemed to know what they were
expected to d. fer they catered heartily into
the spiyit Of the celebration, and whlsted and
sang their sweetest carols, while above, 90 the
top of the centre pillar Of the bower, was
pe.chcd The dove, which for many years pre-.
vous to the burning Of he Church. occupied
a pac, jast above he old pulpit, and around
which clusters m1Dy, many. dear, tender sacred
recOl!octiOuS, IL u large number present last
night, who remember with pride the glory OF
the old First Church. Around the base OF the
bower WAS placed the presents f3r the scholars
of the school, consisting OF hooks, wolk boxes,
handsomely dressed dolls, TO-, and preseotS
from The scholars to their teachers, while
from the gallery q stream ct light, from loco.
motive head light, Was poured directly into
The bower, radiatiDg over the whole platform.
and presenting dazzling appearance, which, if
i ihcrc 1. doc \ WhUli
extravaganza.
at s,v.n and half @ clock the scholars Of
the school, which had assembled 10 the gallery,
marched dowo to the body of the Church to
seats reserved TO- them, AMI the exercises COM
mcncet'.
II. W. BaabIc, esq the Superintendent of
the school. gave cat the hymn,
Irk burst OF heavenly music.
From baud ct s:rapbs bright,
which was sung by Messrs. y. W. Harrison,
and Samuel Garduor, Of Washington, and
Mrs. Charles WhittleScy, Mrs. Harrison, and
Miss Maggi, Harrison, Miss Sarah Noyes
presiiiug at the organ, the school lol1lng IN
the chcrus,
Sweet aud clear those angels voices.
Echoing through the starry sky,
As they chant The hcevonl ? busic,
GLORY BE- TO God o. high"
Rev. ilr. AicMurrau, who, during his scsl.
dence in GU city, has made large NUMB Der OF
lricud+, aud who regret to lose him, Tor lie
has been c.|Icd - III: charge OF Mount Wash
iogton Church, bu: II )lcH 10 know that The
people of Mnuat Wasair2toa are eolag to have
such 40 cecilia. Caii,lilE gerternaD tor their
pastor Thea offered Up prayer to Almighty
t,o! tia: lie would bless the school, and sane
tify The exercises to the salVatloo Of those
prcscr.
The rr.gsurer Mr.. Robert Bell. sr., add
the Assistant Superintendent presented their
reports, showcg the school to BE- 10 prosper
Gus conCltIGp.
The hymo,
The Great Physician nov is near,
The sympathiziDg Jesus:
lie speaks the dropping heart to cheer,
Ga, hear the voice Of Jesus,
was tEen sung by the school and coDgreatloD,
MIR. A. W. Harrison leading.
MIR, Beadle, who has held the position Of
SUPERINTENDENT Of the school Tor sone six or
Sven wears, and who declined re election
hrcau;e he wished TO work in another depart
ment of the school, said it now became bis
dntv to retire, bu: before doing SO he desired
to return his thanks to the icachcrs aod schol.
ars. and all connected with the school for the
kirdoess and courtesy with which he had ever
been treated during his long Intercourse with
them. lie then made some very earnest re-
marks to the school and congregation, urging
all not to Thick TO- much of the Thugs OF this
Ilfs and postpone, uotil it is Two late, their
souls salvation.
'Tbcre's a Glorious lind Above was
then rcndcrcd by the choir, Mts5rs. Harrison
and Gardncr, and Mrs. Harrison, and Miss
Noycs and Miss Maggie Harrison, with Mrs.
Whi,lesey prasiliug at the organ.
Tn, newly elected officers thco came forward
and were addressed by Rev. Dr. Bullock, pastor
of the church, expressing his approval of the
selection the teachers had made, said he
was cnGdeut. Judging from the past, that the
new officers would prove faithful 10 the dis
charge Of their dates, and paid a compliment
to the r,,ifne Superintendent, Mr. Bead lie.
Mr.. Robert Bell, ST., 90 behalf oflhe teachers
in short address, presented Mr.. Besdo with
splendid 81 k umbrella ,. .,
Rev. Dr. Bullock, 90 behalf Of Master:
| Willie and Gardner Boothe, SONS Of Captain
| VIM. j. Bootnc, then, 10 short, appropriate
address, presented the new Superintendent
| I'll R,, ~, S,oty's Commentaries 90 the