Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-01-01

tirely suspended during the afternoon
and evening and the time was wholly
given over to feasting and merrymaking
The Keen cutting air made it disagreeable
being out and the streets especially during
the afternoon wore an almost deserted APP
pearance. All of the churches had enter
tainments for the children and if appear
ances are right they were remembered
more amply than usual. Several of the
churches had Christmas trees Thursday
night which have already been noticed
and other Christmas exercises are noted
below.
AT THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The Christmas services ut the Methodist
church, last Friday evening, proved to be
of extraordinary interest and drew out
an audience that well filled the auditor
ium of the church, and whose contribu-
lions of AN olange or an apple, the re-
quisitc admission fee, apiece, filled many
large baskets. Two large sized Christmas
trees, trimmed and lighted with numer-
Gus tapers, presented IL handsome specta-
Gle and above them was suspended the
motto of the occasion in evergreen, The
Morning STAR also Illuminated. The ar
rangement and lighting were such as to
produce an unusually pleasing effect.
The music and appropriate scripture read
ingS were found in the beautiful Morn
ing star Cautata, which the sun
day-schoul and the choir rendered in
connection with the acting Supcrin-
tendent, Mr. H. b. Lord. Near the close
of the cautata Rev. Mr.. Jump explained the
new and somewhat revolutionary nature
of the presentation Of gifts that was about
to take place. He said that. instead Of
each child in the sunday School with II
mere baubc which, at best, was all that
could be done, and which would probably
be destroyed or lost within II week after
Christmas, it had been concluded by
those having The matter OF decision in
charge that the Wlsest plan was to ask
the sunday SchoOl to help make this
Christmas Il merry one for the poor and
unfortunate, and experience the greater
blessedness in giving than in receiving.
The plan had met with Il generally cor
dial APPROVAL, the measure OF which
would soon be disclosed. Mr.. Lord then
called for the gifts, and each class
carried forward to the altar its cuntrDu-
tons. There were turkeys, quarter-bar-
rel sacks of flour, blankets, packages OF
tea, sugar and clothing, toys and trlnltets
for girls and boys : in short everything
that invention could name, or generous
charity suggest. These bOuntiful Christ
mas offerings covered nearly the en-
tire surface OF the pulpit platform and
were distributed Saturday by four com
mitteeS from the Ladies' and Pastors
union, each committee being allotted Il
certain district of the city.
THE BEREAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The people OF the Berean Baptist society
spent Christmas night quietly and costly
in their chapel, making no pretentions to
elaborate Christmas demonstrations.
Early III the evening supper was served,
one of the pleasant features of which was
a small table and chairs OF corresponding
size for the little folks Supper was followed
by singing, speaking, Christmas talk by
the pastor, and distribution Of presents TO
the little folks, up stairs.
AT THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Sunday school Of the Third Con
gregational church celebrated Christmas
evening, in the chapel, with IA Christmas
tree and festival. There was IA very large
attendance of the little ones, and also of
the older members of the church, and the
occasion was one of even more than usual
enjoyment. supper for the little ones
was served III the NeStry. The dlStrlDu-
ton of gifts from the Christmas tree
which was IL very handsome one and
prettily ecorated-consumed good
share of the evening, and afforded II sea-
son of unalloyed delight to the children.
There was also singing Of Christmas
carols by the children of the school, which
was eXcellently done, and formed Il pleas
ant and appropriate feature of the occa-
sion
TIE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Christmas night was very pleasantly
observed at the First Baptist church with
an entertainment in the vestry, which was
greatly enjoyed by the large number pres =
hot oil b.,
deliberately decorated for the occasion, the
pillars being entwined with ivy and gar
lands of the same material being festooned
on the walls. y starry crown of hand
some design was suspended from the cen
ire of the ceiling, and Illuminated mottos
and other decorations also hung from the
ceiling. y large and deliberately trimmed
Christmas tree stood ut the head of the
room, while i'll the corners at either hand
We're large mottoS arch shaped and in
evergreen. Christmas carols We're sung by
the Sunday school children, and Il
StereOpticOn lent It's uanstOry, but pleas
ing views for the entertainment of the
little folks. After this there was more
music and then the apron brigade was
summoned by il tap of the bell. These
were all middle aged men who appear ed
from the kitchen bringing their sheaves
with them in the shape of elaborate re
Treatments, which they served to those in
attendance. After the refreshments were
disposed of cornucopas, neat little pack
ages of candy and other good things were
distributed among all present. The en-
tire affair was well managed and all
seemed to enjoy themselves to the ut
most.
CHRISTMAS AT HOWARD RELIEF ROOMS.
1t is pleasant to think that while the
children OF atiiuence had many things to
make them happy at the Christmas sea
son, the children of poverty were not for
gotten owing to the thoughtfuluess OF
the Howard Relief society. These kind
hearted ladies entertained over 250 OF
the little ones including many father
less and almost homeless at their rooms
Saturday afternoon, giving them II feast
of good things and providing music and
other interesting exercises for their enter
tainment. The little girls of the Howard
Relief Industrial school assembled to the
number of l05 in Philharmonic hall at }.