Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-26
Christmas Festivities.

standing the fact that many OF our
people felt too poor in purse to con-
tribute much towards imposing dis
plays or costly presents. The usual
"Christmas Tree" bore welcome
fruit in all the churches except that
of the Baptists, whose membership
were we'll represented, however, in
the several other denominations.
The Methodists and Congregation
alists and the Blue Ribbon League,
united in quite an imposing order OF
exercises, in the church of the for
mer denomination. The interior of
the building was beautifully deco
rated. Evergreens hung i'll grace
full festoons from the walls, while on
the forum two beautiful trees reared
their graceful forms to the lofty
dome of the ceiling. In front of
these was graceful arch, supported
upon columns, and on either side
smaller arches spanned the remain
der of the space to the sidewalks.
These presented, with the climb
ing vines and garlands and festoons,
q most beautiful and appropriate ap'
pearance. The central arch bore the
inscription, "Glory to God i'll the
Highest" and the smaller ones
"Peace on Earth" and GOOD Will
to Men" The trees were placed so
as to revolve, and the star-like lights
of the many colored tapers and the
dazzling display Of presents, with the
bright faces of childhood and the
beaming faces of "children OF
larger growth" presented picture
of beauty and of enjoyment never to
be forgotten.
The exercises began at 6 o'clock,
with the church densely crowded.
children, parents and spectators
apparently banishing, for the time
every thought but of the Present
and its joyous surroundings. The
opening chorus "Hark! what NEAR
those Holy Voices, was we'll rendered
by select choir, Mr.. and Mrs. r.
S. White, aiding in the instrumental
accompaniment. A prayer by Rev.
G. A. Huntington was followed by
"Ring the Bells" a canticle in which
the voices of childhood blended in
harmony appropriate to the occasion.
Then followed an address to the
children, by Rev. j. McCormic; a
a quartette, Ring Merry Bells" a
brief address by Mr.. Huntington,
and chorus, "The Christmas Tree, -
in which the children again partici-
pated, Miss Eva Bigelow presiding
at the organ.
Then came the most interesting
feature of the well-managed pro-
gramme-the distribution of the
prssents-which, owing to the admi-
rable management of the committee,
was accomplished expeditiously with
out confusion, and to the satisfac-
ton of all concerned.
We have been thus explicit in
describing programme which,
from the nature of the circum-
stances, could not have been mate
rally varied from usual custom,
to show how much real enjoyment
may be derived from the simplest
OF social entertainments, if the heart
Is enlisted, the icy barrier of creed
thrown down, and all unite in call.
ing into exercise the better impulses
of humanity. Such union of inter.
est and sentiment will be found to
operate benefcially upon all. HUI
mainly is the same everywhere, only
differing inasmuch as it conforms
to the peculiar circumstances which
surround the development of indi-
vidual character. 1t appears to us
that this is just the time, when upon
the threshold of a new year, to put
In practice those universally acknowl-
edged virtues which lead to better
appreciation of our fellow man and
q more thorough understanding of
our duty towards each other.
The Zephyr was compelled to put
back to Seattle, on her trip up, last
Friday, in consequence of the hurri.
cane which blew off Alki Point q nd
dehed the steamers progress, despite
her best efforts. She came Satur-
day as far as Tacoma, and transfer
mug her passengers to the .Nessenoer.