The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-26
THE NATAL FESTIVAL.
"Peace on Earth. Good viii Toward
Men," Proclaimed 10 hll-.-
Christmas Carols.

the year, is pus, and the holiday season
Is at hand. The day opened bright and
cloudless; the air was crisp and cold, bat
was invigorating rather than IN,
pleasant. and following, as it did. the
damp, unpleasant weather of the early
part Of the week, it was hailed with genu
inc pleasure. Were popular proverbs
reliable but happily enough, they sell
dom are--t the "lat kirk yard. which is
supposed TO follow green Christmas,
wonld receive literal addition to its
population next year, The last gift had
come by mail or express, the last Christ.
mas dollie had babe her final farewell to
her store companions, the stores were
closed, the streets deserted, al least for a
great part of the day, and there WAS
every evidence that the lime honored
custom OF giving and receiving gifts in
token Of the general feeling of Peace on
earth, good will toward men.
was being observed throughout
the entire city. Thousands of little
hearts beat with expectancy yesterday
morning. as bright eyes peered from be-
meath coverings at tiny stockings which
were hung up the night before for the
annual visitation of the jolly. little old
man in furs, and how the same eyes beam
ed with pleasure when they were fixed
upon the swelling proportions of the
stockings. A protruding doll head, or
pcrchancc bugle, or a drum, or covct-
ed toy, then an exclamation of JOY, and
tiny hands have seized the stocking, and
in an instant those same hands are ner~
votsly engaged in its interior Sleepy
papa and mamma do not sleep any more,
but they do not feel ANNOYED; the Sono>
rous blast of the painted lin horn is sweet
music, and the the thump of the toy dram
fills them with a martial spirit, What ii
boon is Christmas to a child, But the
10y of the day is by no means confined 10
the children; every body participates in It's
festivities. In happy homes, where wealth
Wv ~ We sa'''i ''N' ~ i''-
do,niciles of the less opulent there was 10Y
and sweet contentmcnt, and in the
abiding place OF those whom pov>
erty had stricken, there WAS not
altogether II lack of remembrance OF the
great festal day, from which the christian
world dates its birth, The spirit OF the
I "a. .,lf ,pinl T Il
of its sacred character.
There was but one protestant church IN
Rock lsldan where services were held,
and this was I1!hlly LpIscopHl me
ediice had been beautifully and tasteful
" decorated with cyer@rcens and foliage,
aud the services IN conmemoratlon of
the feast began at 1890 Christmas eve,
and at midnight the Rev. Il. L. Sweet
conducted celebration of the holy com
munion, when the benedction Of beau
tful brass cross and two brass vases. the
gift of Miss Wright, oi Philadelphia. took
place, Yesterday services were held at
1870 a. IN. and : 30 p, m, with fitting
sermons on each occasion by Rev, S% eet
CHEER FOR THE CHILDREN,
The annual Christmas festival OF the
Sunday school OF the Trinity Mission
chanel. west end, took place Christmas
eve. There was a magnificent Christmas
tree, with gifts for all the children. Rev,
Sweet delivered an address.
AT the Ninth street Methodist mission
chapel there was singing, dialogues gotten
up with especial appropriateness to the
event. and remsmbrauces for the lttle
ones
Al the Baptist church house had been
erected with a cotton covering, represent
ing the snow, and in 1t sat fairy
Near by was well curb built entirely ot
boxes of candy $50 in all Then there
was Ned, the new sb0y, persOnated By
Charles Knox, vino by The wav, had the
evening ArGus for sale, and h. cried it
with will Maud, the match @irl
was pcrsonalci by Miss Carrie Davis, aid
Paul Keller was 81 genuine dude, while
Mr.. Ben Petut was business man, anu
Miss Mary LYMAN benevolent woman
When the time for the exercises arrived
the fairy came forth from the little house,
in the person of Miss May llawley, who
called upon Santa Chaus to appear, and
out came Mr., George Lyman in that
character, robust as could be i'm
agined and fully as jolly. He then
presented each of the children
with box of candy, while the fairy