Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-01-01
CHRISTMAS IN AUSTIN,
CHRIST CHURCH.
At the Churches.

CHRIST CHURCH.
In spite If the severity of the weathe",
the Christmas services at Chris, church
were celebrated with their accustomed
Joy. Al 10 A. n he commandments A.
sem blel fsr the customary sermon and
communion. AT in the evening the an
nual festival FIR the children of the Sun
day scho"l wus held in the church. The
service com m.nced with full choral eve.
ming prayer, the proper psalms being
chanted to Angltca" tones bv Lee and
Barnbv. while the Csntril"s were sung :"
the usual t3rey"ri~n tones. Instead # the
| "Jacob's Ladder" whic', was introduced
last wear, three arches were erected in the
chuir OF Ire chaDcel and tastrtu!ly adorned
with evrrgrecns and lighted t*pers. On
these arches and wires connected with
them the presents were su>pcn Ted. As
the amount raised for the purpose this
year WAS pou5le OF that collected last
year, The little ones were MI we'll pr"vid
ed E"r their happy ta'e; gave proof
Of their pleasure Nor were the
Rector AMI hi< wife overlooked:-a COM
Portable dressing. gown and beautiful
silver ke-b.sset were presented to them
b. friends in the pa ish The r :ct'r An.
nounced that the first prize for good con-
duct during the year had been awarded
to Miss Charlotte @ Eyre and the second
to Miss Minnie b. Cameron.
On St. Stephens day, Christ church
parish WAS favored by the annual visit
from lis Bishop. After evening prayer
by the Rector, the Bishop delivered m
impressive discourse on the lessons Of
Christmas and it's following festivals
After this he proceeded to confirm three
persons. Five other candidates, living
nj some distance in the country, were un'
able to attend. Although tho extreme
cold prevented the attendance Of nearly
every person living outside Of the city
limits, the church was we'll allied at both
services with an attentive and reverent
congregation. 1t is but just to say. that
the excellent music was largely due to
the skill and good taste Of Miss Lottie
johnson, who kindly consented to pre-.
side at the organ during these services.
CONGREGATIONAL.
The children Of tho Congregational
Sabbath school enjoyed a most happy
time. The festivities were designed for
the children, but. as usual. were partici-
patcd in by many interested friends
papas. mamas, &C., who came to "care Tor
the children" you know, and who seem.
ed to AS thoroughly enjoy the occasion.
The mnst noticeable feature on entering
tie church Was 4 curtained corner, be.
bird which we all knew something won
derful was hidden from view; aud It
seemed 40 hard to wait. Sweet music,
however, was the Arst in order on the
programme, and an appropriate anthem.
the solo we'll sung by Mrs. Jennie Noble.
interested US. And ills was followed
by other selections rendered by the choir
and additional singers. We we're becom-
lug again very impatient, when the su-
lerintendent announced another piece Vt
music, We'll make you L.ugl', You Silly
Old Chap" aud we thought OLD SAINT.
Was coming for sure, but instead, in
wnl1zed \ lung.brarded, FROSTY, individ
ua1, ali in white, who did have 10 ,ltaw
out Just little, and cha! hal" with the
rest, to the special delight of the children.
This individual was the Frost King.
Now sc could hear an occasional jingle
of Old Santa. sleigh-bells. which kept
up our courage, and Miss Geriie Sher-
wood was announced, VIII" sang very
sweetly a solo, "Somebody's Coming"
Still nearer wrre Santn's sleigh.bells;
when 10! from behind that cur'.i"ed
corner Old Santa Claus appeared himself,
with two assistants, all loaded down.
rhe generous old fellow served all alike,
giving each member OF the school we'll
dlled candy.bag. A few appropriate re
marks by the uperintendent-Mr. H. w.
Page-wishinS al ''merry Christmas"
and pleasant good night" closed the
the evenings entertainment.
uNIvERsALIsr.
The exercises at the Universalist
church on Christmas Eve, passed of
pleasantly. They consisted of concert,
appropriate to the occasion. by the mem.
bers of the Sunday school, aud the dis
tribution Of gifts from we'll laden tree.
The concert consisted of reci-
tations and songs, setting forth the mis-.
sion and the work of Christ, and the joy
that he has brought into the world.
Those having parts all acquitted them
selves creditably, especially the members
Of the infant class. Smiles wreathed all
faces Is they marched to their places, and
in their innocent and happy way. recited
their verses.
Miss Ada Mobiles rendering of "Ben
Hazard" was in excellent taste. After
the concert exercises were completed, the
traditional "Santa Claus"-ln tals case it
turned out to be w. F. Sutherland IN dis.
ku,se-bounced in, with jingl,ng bells
and snowy coat, and went At orce vigor.
ously about distributing the gifts.
Then the look Of expectancy changed to
gladness on many bright faces.
Owing to the extremely cold weather,
the attendance was not large, but every
one was happy: The decorate ons were
not extensive, but they were'in good tss:e.