St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-12-30


ii. j. Goodell, ). w; F. f. Richard
son, Scribe; A. l.. Bragg, F. s.; l.. F..
Gaskill, Treas; ID. W. Batchelder,
j. W.
OLIVE BRANCH LODGE No. Airs.
c. X. Green, n. g.; Mrs. A. Whitney,
o. g.; Charles Emerson, Sec'y; Mrs.
A. +. Stiles, Treas.
"ChristInas at the Quarters"
Christmas ceremonies were held in
nearly all the st. Johnsbury churches
on Saturday evening, or Sunday even
ing, or both, and the little ones and
older ones entered into the spirit of the
occasion as they only can at Christmas
time.
NORTH CHURCH.
There was a Christmas service at
this church Sabbath evening, consist
ing of good deal of singing by the
children, scripture reading, and a
children's sermon by the pastor. 1t
had been previously announced by the
superintendent that the usual order of
Christmas service would be reversed
that instead of coming to receive gifts,
every member of the school was asked
to come prepared to make an offering
to some charitable object, and thus
prove the scripture, if it is more bless
ed to give than receive. AS this no
tice had been given week or two be
fore, and the school asked to earn the
offering they made, and to choose their
object of charity, nearly every one
came prepared. The plates were pass
ed, the money counted, when it was
found that the handsome sum of S253
had been given. This was divided
among the four benevolent societies OF
the church, the Vt. Domestic Mission
AIRY Society, the poor of the church,
etc. The amount of the offering was II
surprise to all, and shows how the
many Titles make large sum i'll the
aggregate. Another interesting fea-
ture of the evening was the presenta-
ton of beautiful book to twenty or
more of the children who had been
present at every morning service dur
ing the year and had taken the text OF
the minister in little text books fur
nished them for the purpose. These
books were the gift of one man, who is
noted for good deeds.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
A good audience met Saturday eve.
Two large trees were loaded to over
flowing with presents. The exercises
We're opened by brief remarks from Mr..
A. w. Roberts, the superintendent,
Rev. Mr.. TillOtsOn, and several recita-
tiOns by the children and misses, apprO-
pirate to the occasion. The distribu-
ton of presents occupied about al
hour, and no Sabbath school scholar
was forgotten by old Santa Claus
while the older members of the society
were generously remembered.
On Sunday evening the children OF
the Sunday -school gave concert
which consisted of music by IA choir ot
some twenty girls, and Rotations by
other scholars.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The children of this church were
given a supper at the vestry on Mon
day evening, with entertainment of an
other sort, consisting mainly of tab
leaux representing Santa Claus coming
down the chimney to fill stockings, ant
group of children discussing the con.
tents of the aforesaid stockings.
Two or three of the classes of thi,
school met at C.. T. Brigham's hOus,
early on Monday evening, and had i
merry time around a tree. They were
treated also to visit from Santa him
self
| THE SOUTH CHURCH.
The children and older people a
the South observed Christmas by al
interesting Sunday school concert il
the evening. The church was decor
ated to some extent with flowers ant
evergreen. The exercises consisted o
a few remarks by Rev. Mr.. Fairbanks
appropriate music by the church choir
by Dana and Hattie Morse, Graci
Knight, Alice Hall, and large chOi
of children, who sang very nicely an,
recitations by several of the yOun
people. The young members of tn
Sabbath-schOol were presented wit
books.
On the Friday evening previous
sOciable was held at the church, when
aside from the usual sociable features
table of fancy articles was offered fO
sale, with special reference to the com
ing Christmas. The net proceeds Q
the occasion were ninety dollars.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
At this church the children gathere
around Christmas tree on Saturda
evening and had jolly time. Their
was singing by the choir, and the chill
dren; and then came recitations b
Mabel Goodwin, Hattie Chatfee an
others. On Sunday evening the schoo
had an appropriate concert, with sing
ing and recitatiOns by the young folk,
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH.
For several days busy fingers ha
been preparing evergreen festOon,