Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-12-27

AT 81. fAl l. : INT NJ IL
The Christmas celebration at ST. Psuls
church, Tuesday evening, was largely attend
ed and proved very Interesting occasion.
The tree was placed in front OF the chan
eel, and. brilliantly lighted Up. surrounded
with banners and psofusely and elaborately
decorated. it was altogether one of the
handsOmest trees. and most tastefully orna-
mented. of any We have ever seer. The
body Of the church was decorated with
evergreen and the font was filled with
flowers: while the chancel, leetern and
altar. in addition to the festoons Of ever
greens, were ornamentsi with banners
OF white on which were appropriate designs
aud sentences. the whole making a fine
display. The exercises consisted Of prayers,
a brief address By the rector. the repetition
OF the APOSTLE creed and the Lords Prayer,
and briei and appropriate cItechism by the
children, ard fnally the distribution Of gifts
to each OF the scholars the rector. super
intendent Of the school, many of the teach
ers, the sexton and Others, all being remem-
bered. The carols rendered by the Sunday
school were as follows Professional, While
shepherds watched their aoeks," music by
c. A. White "Carol, sweeIly CAROL
music by,V. P; The Christmas Tree"
| Fred. Schilling MERRY Christmas" ".
pressler. The carols were well sung and
were very pleasing and all the exercises
passed CT nicely
On Christmas m1Iaius. there was full
service. a. usual, the Sunday-sehool chill
dren assisting the choir in rendering the
musical programme, which included two
carols by the children. one - Ring out the
Bells for Christmas" by Rev. DR.. Hodges,
sung at the opening of the service, beau
tiful arrangement of the hymn, Shout the
Glad Tidings.' by the late Bishop Hopkins.
and the Christmas song, " Nazareth" by
Charles Gounod, sung at the offertory. The
sermon was by the rector, Rev. E r. At
will. At five O'Clock there was ETening
| Prayer.
COLLEGE STREET CHURCH.
The festival of the College street church
was held on Wednesday evening. The mem
bers of the society assembled in the church
parlors at $50. At seven the doors of the
| chapel were thrown open. Christmas
tree reaching from h)or to ceiling stood in
front of the desk, brilliantly lighted and
loaded with presents for young and old.
The children of the Surday-sehool gathered
in front. and the service opened with the
| singing ola carol by the children, followed
by recitstions Of passages of Scripture re-
lsting to the birth and mission of the Saviour
by the scholars and superintendent, inter-
spersed with appropriate music, including
Christmas hymn "Silent Night, by quar-
tette choir: "Hark the herald angels sing;
Three kings of orient" AMI chorus Joy
to the world, " closing with prayer BY the
pastor. The gifts were then distributed.
| These were numerous, and sope OF them
very handsome. Among them was fine
silver m-winding watch, of best Elgin
make. procured through Messrs. Brinsmsid
Hildreth. By the gentlemen OF the society,
and presented to Mr.. Lyman Austin. the
sexton of the church. The festival was
over BY $50 and the happy crowd dispersed
with many mutual good wishes.
AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH,
on Wednesday evening, there was a Christ
mas tree, and a service of song interspersed
with recitations, alter which refreshments
were served The tree was erected in the |
mair audience room on the pulpit platform. |
1t was of mammoth proportions, being some
fifteen feet in height, and was bea utifully |
set out with ornaments and some OF the |
lighter presents; and, lighted up by two |
locomotive head lights placed in the gal |
lery. presented brilliant sight. The Sab
bath-school gathered in the basement at
hali-psst i've, in class order, and promptly |
at six, led by the choir, marched to the |
audience room, singing the professional,
Onward, Christian Soldiers, and took the |
seats assigned them, the other seats and the
galleries being well filed with spectators.
The classes seated, the following exercises
took place Reading of Scriptures by the |
Superintendent. Mr.. Samuel Bigwood
prayer BY the pastor. Rev. NJ A. Wilcox;
anthem BY the choir Rotations Christ
mas carol, "GlorY to God in the Highest, "
by choir and school recita,ions; Christ
mas carol. Let every heart tribute
bring, by choir and school distribution of
gifts; Gloria in Excelsis," sung responsive
ly by the choir. The music was an excep-
tiOnally pleasing feature, the selections be-
ing choice and well rendered. The choir
consisted of a double quartet. and Mr.. C.
W. Davis, the orgsnist, was most accept
ably assisted bg Mr.. Geo. d. Sherman, of
the Sherman Military Bind. on his
eornet. The presents were numer-
Gus, numbering something over three
hundred and hIy) and some of them
were elegant ones. With the exception of
two or three Of the adult classes. every Sab
bath-school scholar received present, aud
most of the teachers received presents from
their classes and the efficient sIperihten-
dent. and the worthy pastor and his vile
were generously remembered. The exercises
over in the audience loom the school ad-
journed to the basement to partake of re-
freshments. Everybody was cordially inyit-
cd to Join the school in this very agreeable
part OF the programme, and the spacious
rooms below were soon well filled When
all were comfortably seated. a score or two
of young ladies and gentlemen, neatly uni
formed with white caps and aprons. served
ample refreshments which included such
substantials as bread and butter and sand
witches. hot tea and coffee. besides apples,
and all manner OF goodies coming under the
generic term OF cake. and there was enough
Tor all. and to spare. a plsa7aat tsitlrs Of
the occasion was the presence OF the children
of the Home. for whom a four horse team
had been sent and VINO came in for a gener-
Gus share Of the presents, and Of all the otaer
enjoyable things Of the evening. All in all,
the affair was every way most gratifying
success, and at a -easonabls hour. alter many
mutual congratulations and gaoI wishes, ,
all went to their homes fully impressed with
the idea that they had had an enjoyable 4;
timo ;
AT THs wISGOsSi AVENUE CHURCH
The festival was held in the church parlors.
Tuesday evening. and was very pleasant
and enjoyable affair.
AT the UNITARIAN CHURCH
There was the usual FESTIVAL Of Song"
followed by the distribution of gifts by :
l. Santa Claus and social party in the
parlors, Tuesday evening The music was
very tine, the ehiliren'S exercises interest
ing. and the party was mech enjoyed by
every one present