The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-12-31
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.
How the Holiday Season was
Observed in MOBILES Coun-
ty's Capital.
Christmas Trees and Concerts at
the Various churches-Eis-
cellaneous Notes.
IN GEN ERAL.

C0ljau00uS NOI0S.
IN GENERAL.
Christmas was very generally oh.
served in Worti,ingtos,. The weather
WAS all that could he desired, the day
being sunny and bright ard not too
cold. There was no snow on the
ground, 80 people had to dispense with
the luxury of sleigh rides, but every
thing else seemed to conduce toward
making the Christmas season this year
= merry one. The several churches
held Christmas doings on Thursday
night, detailed statement of which
will be found below. On Christmas
night most of the stores closed at an
early hour, and everybody seemed de-
termined to drive dull care away. A
pleasant little dancing party was held
at Masonic hall on Christmas night,
which was an entirely impromptu af.
fair.
A METEOR.
On Thursday night about 7:3O O'Clock
after nearly everybody had gone to
church. y meteor was observed cours-
ing through the heavens in southerly
direction. 1t was visible for number
OF seconds, when it apparently exploded
and was consumed. 1t had the slowest
motion Of any meteor ever seen by the
observer, and was also one of the larg-
est, the light cf the celestial visitant
being sufficient to cast a shadow. Such
scene on such Il night brought vividly
to mind that other scene eighteen
centuries ago, ''wlen shepherds
watched their focks by night" and be-
held the heavenly visitors that pro.
claimed the birth of the child Jesus;
and that other scene when the WISE
lnen discovered Il new star in the east
the star of Bethlehem.
AT THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Probably the most elaborate celebra
ton Of Christmas was 1T the Swedish
Lutheran church. On Christmas eve
numerous lighted wax candles were
placed III every window, wLicl, mace
brilliant illumination in contrast with
the darkness Of tie night outside, and
the inside of the church presented Il
fine appearance indeed, with Il NAM
moth Christmas tree heavily laden
with 4 large quantity "f holiday fru,t,
and gli!.ering with lighted tapers, tin
Sci and colored paper. aud long strings
Of pop corn The gifts were S" nu.,er-
Gus that it WAS found impossible to
hang them oil the tree, large though it
was, aid so they were piled III Stacks
about the platform. An address was
made Ivy the pastor, iIr. Franznn, ap-
propri;.te to :he occasions, and other
addresses were Also made, both III
Swedish, and English, Numerous songs
were sung aud other literary extrcists
were had. There WAS no Santa Claus.
but the little ones were made happy by
the bountiful gifts bestowed, as were
also many Of the older ones. On
Christmas morning services in accord
ance with the Lutheran ritual were
held, commencing at s O'Clock, and
which, no doubt. brought viviily to
the minds of the older ones former cel-
ebrations of Christmas III the old home
across the sea.
At THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Christmas eve the Congregational
church was packed full with a happy
crowd of Sabbath school boys and gil Is
ana older people restored to youthful
days again. Upon the platform were
two elegant Christmas trees laden with
all manner of seasonable fruit, and
oversladowing pretty dwelling from
which in due season the Good Fairy
came forth to greet the audience and
summon Santa Claus.
After preliminary exercises, a recita-
tion was given in good style by Warren
Rose. followed by sweet song by Min
ME Hewitt, her first and most success
1ul appearance on any stage. Walter
DeWolf executed with great credit a
solo on the cornet. Thereafter came q
dialogue appropriate to the season
entitled the ''Three Pocket-books, }" in
which the principal parts were taken
by Messrs. w. Lewis, F. Heron, A.
buchan, G. uansford, Foster Moore,
and Misses Nellie Barber, NJ. Humis-
ton, Julia Van Luvan aud Molly Peter
son. The piece, which was interspersed
with singing, was well received. In
addition, the choir rendered the an
thems ''There were Shepherds Abiding
in the Field" and "Holy Night" the
solos being sung with good taste by
Mrs. DR.. Crigler and Miss May Crane.
Then came tho grand distribution of
gifts by Santa Claus, consisting of an
elegant basket Of candy, ball of pop
corn. and q Christmas card from the
Enchanted Well to each scholar, be.
sides pretty present from the Christ
mas trees. Santa Claus wore long,
flowing white beard, and had on coat
& and cap completely covered with cotton
batting, and having string Of sleigh
bells around his waist which jingled
merrily at every step he took. SAINTS
Claus 10 believed to have been person
ated by Mr.. W. Lewis. Mr.. b. Prince
q Santa Claus Of former years, kindly
furnished the trees to the Sabbath
school. ...-,::. -. H.. -. -
---fg - .'t.= -.
AT THE NJ. e. CHURCH.
The Methodist people made new
departure In their Christmas exercises
from the ordinary Sunday school enter
tainment. Each class had collecte,
what money they could among them
selves, and brought 1t to the church.
After q short concert, under the di
Iection Of the superintendent and pas