The Portland daily press., 1884-10-24
cuURoH OF TIE MESSIAH.
A Pretty Fair and Interesting Bab, show


The four b annual fair of the Ladies' Aid
Society of the Church of the Messiah, opt ned
at City Hall yesterday noon. Many ladies and
gentlemen took dinner, furnished by the socie-
tS, ia Reception Hall, where six tables at
tended by prompt corps of walters, provided
choice viands. Entering City Hall, an agree
able aroma is waited from confectionery
stand, situated at the right of the main en-
trance, and attracts the attention, for the little
counter is literally burdened with choice cam
dies, that are gracefully dispensed by Misses
Oracle Nash, Caddie Pitcher, Jennie Sargent
and Many Tompson. The booths are arrang-
ed along the end of the hall, and the side op-
posite the entrance. Long strings of aprons,
and old-fashioned comforters and quilts, run
from the supports of the gallery and form part
of the commodities chiefly exposed for sale at
the booths.
The space at the left, enclosed with flags
and bunting, is used as a cafe Angie M
Brooks and Nellie Mcdonald preside at the
table Immediately adjoining the ca e, and
have in their charge a variety of elegant fancy
work. The grocery table comes next, support
ing display of canned goods, spices and vege-
tables. Mr.. B. A. Heseltine has this counter
under supervision Then come several tables
OF fancy work. At table at which Mrs. L.
B. Philbrook and others are stationed may be
seen handsome sofa pillow. a rag doll in
white dress, with pink sash and white boots,
also a handsome tidy adorned with roses, paint
ed in oils. Such little story books as "The
Naughty Puppies," and "The Three Tiny
Pigs" together with display of vases and
lambrequins, are noticeable at the stand in
charge of Mrs. Merrill Place and Mrs. M. S.
Fisher. A pleasing variety of tides and aces
causes one to pause at the stand behind which
are stationed Mrs. j. Fl. Boyd and Others An
elegant cricket and two scrap baskets, in gor-
geous colors, are among the pretty things at
the oficers' table, the one nearest the stage
The efforts of the Ladies' Aida circle COM
prsing some eighty families connected with
the Church of the Messiah, are met with
generous patronage, and their fourth annual
fair promises to be gratifying success
AS the afternoon wore away, the visitors be-
gan to multiply, and when 8 O'Clock came, the
hour appointed for the reception of babies, the
attendance was very encouraging. Twenty
eight little darlings, in the laps of their fond
mothers and attendants, were arranged 10 a
row across the platform. 1t seemed like hol-
iday for the little ones. There were dark
halred DaDiee and lIght-ha1red babieS dressed
in blue, red, pink and white dresses; some
wore bright bosom pins and chains, and colored
ribbon and cashes. All had tiny bouqueis.
some pRlliDg them to pieces others gazing at
taem wonderingly, and one or two held their
flowers aloft in childish ecstacy. Now and
then one of the more restless children would
break from the arms of its mother and run
over the stage in its playiulness. Ii would be
a difficult task to note the prettiest for all
were handsome and equally delighted the au-
dience.
The Ladies' Aid Society is oficered as fol-
lows:
PTesdent-Mrs. Joseph Brooks
Vice President-Mrs D. B. Mcdonald.
Secretary-Mis. e. II. Sargent.
Treasurer-Mrs j. ID. Decelle.
Executive Committee-Mrs Il. H. Cushing Mrs
Alfred Robertson, Mrs. W. NJ. Staples, Mrs. George
Weeks.
This church has recently secured a pastor,
and the friends are predicting an unusual de-
gree of prosperity under the present order of
things. There are manifest signs of a renewal
OF life in all departments of the parish.
In the evening delightful concert was civ.
en-, participated in by Prof Mitchell, Mrs.
Nellie Mclean, Misses Alice Philbrook, Jen.
nie Noyes, Annie M. Greeley, and read ings by
Miss Minnie Noyes. We can only say this
morning that several of the numbers we're en-
cored, and all gave great pleasure. The fair
Will be continued today, and there will be
promenade concert tonight.