Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-12-27
CHRISTMAS IN HARRISBURG.

No festival in the year is observed
in this city with more moral and re-
ligious exactitude than Christmas
Day, and this year it was not devoid
of its usual Observanceand sOlennity.
The town was lively with people go
ing and coming from church, the
sleighers made the streets ring with
their noisy bells. and in the evening
numerous were the social calls that
made Christmas truly merry and
happy occasion. The Mechanics and
the City Band enlivened the town
with their music.
At Trinity Episcopal Church the
Sunday School held their services in
the evening, with singing and distri-
button of gifts to the children. There
was full church service during the day
and Holy Communion, the choir rem
dering beautiful anthems and hymns !;
the pastor delivering an appropriate
sermon. The altar and church were
decorated with evergreens.
Sunday School services were held
in the basement Of the Lutheran
Church, in the evening. The pro-
gramme followed was Brinkworth's
Christmas Concert service, opening
with song, reading of passages conn
mem0rative of Bethlehem, recitatiOns
by pupils, Unco, ering Star, Bethle-
ham, King, Supt. presenting crown,
closing chorus, Christmas cards. The
choir furnished good music. The new
basement illuminated looked beauti-
full. There were decorations of wreaths
and evergreens around the room,
while in front was an arch containing
an inscription in guilt letters Beth
lehem Cradles King"
In the Catholic Church there was a
High Mass and sermon at a. m.,
followed by a low Mass, and the usual
service at 1880. Vespers and Bene-
diction In the evening. The altar was
tastefully decorated. The choir rem
dered good music, and was assisted
by Miss Bee Ahern.
Christmas services were held at the
German Reformed Church in the
morning, at 6, opening with prayer
and Anthem, responsive service and
grand TIE Deum by choir with orches-
ira accompaniment. In the evening
the Sunday School service opened
with prayer and Adeste Fidelis by
choir; history Of birth of Christ
psalms and Christmas anthems; litany
read in concert; remarks by pastor ;
contribution of classes; distribution
of gifts, doxology and benediction.-
The church was beautifully festooned
with evergreens, the altar decorated
with a mound of flowers and ever
greens, amid which rested an inclined
white cross. The pulpit and reading
desk were also Ornamented with
green. The exercises were impressive
and befitting the festival.
Services were held in the M. E.
Church in the evening, opening wi h
prayer by the pastor. There was an
interesting Sunday school programme
a stage was erected, trimmed with
green. Among the selections so beau
tifully rendered were, Silver Star,
Little Raindrops, Merry Bells, after
which Santa Claus came, bearing a
large basket of presents, which the
Superintendent distributed. The ex-
excuses closed with the singing of the
doxolOgy. The entertainment was
well gotten up.
Christmas services were held in the
M. +. Church, South, in the evening,
according to 1.-THE Chimes of Bethle.
hem by Emma Pitt; opening with
a chorus, Hail to the Light, followed by
Responsive Reading, Prayer, Hymn
by congregation, Recitation, Singing,
"Adown the Ages" Address by pas
tor, &C., Distribution of Candies and
Cards, presentation of books tn
Supt. Barr and Silver urn to pastor,
singing by cOngregation-"O for a
Thousand Tongues" The service
was beautifully carried out and the
music exceptionally good.
Services were held in the Baptist
Church in the evening consisting + sing.
ing. prayer anG responsive service. The
pastor stated that on account of large sum
spent for library and other purposes.
Sunday School services would not be
carried out as fully as was expected
The Infant Glass recited and surg a
Christmas hymn the choir, assisted by
cornet and piccolo, rendered good music.
A SILK banner was awarded Miss Sallie
Neer, teacher of the class that made the
largest contribution during the last three
months. Then appeared Santa Claus and
distributed good things to the many lit
tie ones. after which the exercises were
closed with the benediction.