The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-12-24
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
The Day TO be Generally Observed in
the Churches and Elsewhere.

There's a star IN the sky
There's mothers deep prayer
And baby's low cry;
And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing
We rejoice in the light
And we echo the song
That comes down through the night
From the heavenly threng.
Ay, we>shout to the lovely Eyangel they bring
And we greet in His cradle our Savior and King
}. e. HOLLAND.
Tomorrow, the 25th of December, is
Christmas, the holiday of the year among
Christian nations, and supposed TO have
been instituted to perpetuate the most i'm
portant event of Christian history-the
birth of Christ The earliest mention of the
observance by Christians of the annivcr-
sary of the birth of Christ was in the
second century. 1t was at first kept by
holy services only, for the little band of
the Nazarene's followers were weak and
feeble then, and their enemies were
many and strong. As the Chris
tian faith grew stronger Christmas
was observed on a larger scale, until final
ly it cclipsed all other holidays Besides
holy services, the day is now given over
to feasting and general rejoicing Gifts are
also freely distributed, and in fact this
custom forms one of the most important
features of the day.
The Christmas season in churches which
have ritual begins on December 25th,
and lasts till February End, In the Roman
Catholic church it is holy day of obliga-
ton, observed as Sunday, and even with
more solemnity. Every priest in good
standing is privileged to say three masses,
and hence it is that there are so many
services in the Catholic churches. In
Catholic countries the first mass is said ut
midnight, second at daybreak and the
third after. The churches generally will
be beautifully adorned with lights, flowers
and evergreens, and music of a fine order
will be presented
In the minds of the little ones Christ,
mas is the greatest of all days, and with
what expectancy do they awake at an
early hour on Christmas morning and
rush to their stockings to see what Santa
Claus has provided for them. Little
hearts throb with pleasure, and eyes
sparkle with delight, and their JOY is I'M
limited
In this city, as elsewhere, the past
week has been busy one to shops and
shoppers The display of Christmas
goods has been very large, and the people
have taken advantage of it, and purchased
literally. Tomorrow will be a happy day
without doubt, and great many hearts
will beat with JOY. Pleasant surprises
are in store for great many who, in
return, have not been idle in looking after
their friends.
The ARGUS is among the happiest of
the happy. Not because it expects any
pleasant surprise or offerings of gifts, but
by reason of the happiness that surrounds
! others. Because its friends are constantly
increasing and its prosperity assured. For
many reasons it returns thanks, and
wishes to all its readers and friends a
merry Christmas" and Happy New
Year" In honor of the event, no ARGUS
will be issued tomorrow, and its employees
will celebrate with the rest of mankind.
WILL BE CLOSED.
The freight offices of all the railroads in
this city will be closed all day tomorrow,
to give the employees chance to observe
the day in proper manner.
The banks will be closed as usual on
holidays, no business whatever Eeing
transacted
Christmas will be rigidly observed at
the postoffice. The general delivery will
be open from Il. m. to 10 a. m, the
same as on Sunday
The offices of the county and city Off
cials will be closed tomorrow. The county
clerk says he will issue marriage licensc
only in urgent cases.
Many of the business houses will be
closed portion of the day.
! NOTES.
The Sunday school scholars of the
Christian chapel will celebrate Christmas
on Wednesday evening.
Children's service will be held at Trinity
church this evening
The different houses of worship in the
city have been nicely decorated in honor
of the anniversary of the birth of Christ
and appropriate services will be held in
each tomorrow.
The First Methodist Episcopal Sunday
school will give their Christmas entertain
ment tomorrow evening, beginning a
$50 o'clock. The King of the Nation,
a special Christmas service, prepared BY
Mrs. E. II. Thompson and J II. Vincent
will be given