Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-25

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Christmas will be celebrated through
ont the city both BY general sospsn-
sion Of business and by services IN .
number Of the churches. Evergreen il
displayed on all bands, and every one
seems to pertake Of the general cheer
fulness Of tho day. For several days
past the streets have been fairly crowd
ed with people hurryinR along loaded
down with bundles and wearing that
peculiar expression which is to be seen
only in the faces of those who are doing
that most pleasant task of the year
attending TO their Christmas shopping.
II is to be presumed that all these bun
dies will today reveal their stores Of
gifts to many a happy child. and to
many, no less happy. Who have long
since passed from the fairy, Rnome-
peopled realm of chi!d-life into the
sterner, harsher land OF thought and
action.
In many of the churches celebrations
we're held last evening. The services
were in all cases OF distlncflvely
Christmas nature, and such az were
most heartily enjoyed BY the children.
Following is a short account OF each OF
these celebrations:
AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The services at the Presbyterian
Church we're simple and extremely
tasteful, but Of such a nature as 70 be
most thoroughly enjoyed. The princi-
pal actors in the little Christmas festival
and those who enjoyed it most, we're the
little folks, who decidedly carried OF
the honors of the evening.
The exercises we're opened BY volun-
tary by the choir, followed by prayer.
Then. after a hymn by the conRreRa-
ton, few remarks by the pastor, and
an excellently rendered duet by Miss
Sullivan and Mr.. Hoyt, came delight
full recitation, How Edith Helped" A
recitation of Mother Go0se's melodies,
by members of tho infant class, was
delightful, and most thoroughly enjoyed
by old and young.
Next on the program came the con-
struction of the Gospel ladder by a
number of young girls. The ladder was
constructed before the audience, the
various rounds being Faith, Virtue,
knowledge, Temperance, Patience, God
illness, Brotherly Kindness and Charity.
Then after solo and chorus, Christ.
mas Cheer" and the singing of the
doxOlogy by the congregation, an at
tack was made upon the beautifully
trimmed and lighted Christmas tree,
and the presents were distributed to
those eagerly waiting.
AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH
There were two trees, standing about
eight feet apart, which were loaded with
coruucopias, popcorn and presents of all
descriptions. Between these gaily fruit
ed trees stood table, on which the
larger and heavier presents we're placed
for distribution. The church was light
ed with gas and the trees illuminated
with various colored wax candles, pre-
senting very gay and handsome pic
ture. The exercises consisted OF Yeclta-
tions by the smaller members of the
school, music, and distribution of p es-
EMS. All the children were remem-
bcred, as we'll as the teachers and pas
tor.
AT THE CONGREGATIONAL Church
The decorations we're very extensive.
consisting of evergreens twined all
about the ceiling and walls of the audi
forum in festOOns and arches. Above
the altar was a large white motto,
=" Merry Christmas" In the center of
the room, in the rear Of the .uilding,
stood two tall fir saplinRs close togeth-
or, SO arranged that at given signal
they could be spread two or three feet
apart. Besides the usual iliuminatiOns,
these trees were made unusually bril-
liant by the CLEAN from large l0cOmO-
tive headlight, placed in the rear of the
room in sHch position that It threw its
refuleent rays directly upon the present
weighted bouRhs. The church was
crowded with people, and the exercises
were opened by the spreading apart of
the trees, from between which a gaily
dressed fairy, representing Kris krin-
Qle," appeared and sung q beautiful
Rotations and singing by the school.
ceived a present, and many handsome
ents and friends.
AT THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH
The Christmas festivities were held in
the Sunday school room in the base
ment. There we're two small trees
some distance apart brightly lighted
with wax tapers, and loaded with
Christmas fruit. Between these stood a
table, which was also piled up with
gifts. The decorations were ever
green's, twined about the room. Each
scholar received a handsome Christmas
card and q cornucopia. Besides this,
the parents and friends and teachers
took there for distribution such pres
snts as they saw fit. The exercises con
sisted of few songs and anthems by
the school, and probably u dozen Christ
mas pieces by the children, and scrip
ture recitation by the whole school.
The gifts were distributed by the chill
dren, who all seemed joyous and happy.
AT THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Instead Of the customary tree, two
large pyramids wers formed on either
side Of the altar. The choir occupied
position directly back of these, and at
! the given signal broke forth in one of
their best anthems. The music seemed
especially effective, coming from be-
hind the mass of decorations. Then
followed Rotations, songs and chorus
es by the different classes, and q recita-
ton, Christmas Cheer" By Miss Edith
Benjamin. DR.. Willard. the superin-
tendent, asked the questions, and they
were answered with the most admirable
promptness. The infant class, under
the charge Of Mrs.. s.. d. Crockett, at
tracted especial attention, as the little
tots had the verses we'll learned, and
were not at all embarrassed. The decor
atoms were tasty and very attractive. A
large star was placed between the pyra-
mids. and at the close Of each cong was
made to revolve; the effect was hight
ened BY the star being lighted, and Of
various eolors. Every member of the
school received q present, and then after
the program had bsen rendered, the
preeents distributed, and the children
made happy, the pastor dismissed the
audience with benediotion.
At LAKE UNION.
Word comes 70 hand that the citizens
around Lake Union assembled and en-
joyed the Christmas festivities at PAGES
Hall. There vac present ali the regu-
Il InRleR ~ = Nhvsae A. A.