The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-02
CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN wEsTMIN-
STER.
". PAUL's REFORMED CHURCH.

The Christmas services at st. Paurs Re-
formed Church last week were largely attended.
The church was beautifully and tastefully dec
grated with evergreens and flowers Over
each window and over the doors appropriate
notices and scriptural passages we're arranged
in old English lettering. Over the chancel
there swung beautiful festoonings, which
gathered together in large star at the front
The altar was arranged with choice Towering
plants, while on the cross the clinging vine
symbolized the Christians trust in Him
whose nativity the service was commemorat-
ing. The effect of the decorations was unus-
ually happy and many expressed their admit
ration of them.
The early service was held at six o. clock in
the morning, and the Sunday School service
at night. At the former, in connection with
the liturgical services and Scripture readings,
a sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. A.
]. Weber, based upon Hebrews L: IL. The
choir of the congregation, assisted by several
members of a sister church, rendered appro-
pirate anthems in an excellent manner. The
organist, Mrs. Geo. r. Gehr, was accompan-
led by Mr.. Baily Morelock with the cornet.
The night service consisted in the reading
of responsive Scriptural selections and the
singing of hymns and carols adapted to the
several departments of the school. Address
eS were QellNGFeu D1 MI. Odlu66 ID. DlOnCol-
fer, theological student at Mercersburg, Pa,
and by the pastor The fruits on the
Christmas trees were distributed to the men,
bers of the school, and presents exchanged by
the classes and their respective teachers. A
feature of the exercises then occurred, for
which VIM. b. Thomas, Esq, a former super
intendent of the school, said he could find no
place on the program. He spoke in the name
of the congregation: and desired the pastor,
Rev. A. S. Weber, to accept the handsome
gold watch which he brought forward, as a
token of the love and esteem in which he was
held by his congregation, and as q mark of
their appreciation of his successful labours
among them Mr.. Weber thanked his friends
for their remembrance, and assured them that
their many kindnesses toward him should al
ways be appreciated. After prayer and the
singing of the doxology, the benediction was
pronounced, and the large congregation that
had testified their enjoyment of the services,
with the utmost attention, quietly withdrew.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
The Methodist Protestant Church, of this
city, was filled almost to its utmost capacity
last Sunday night, the occasion being Christ
mas service by the Sunday School. The ex-
ercses were opened by singing the carol,
sour Christmas Song,n followed by respon-
sive readings. The Pastor, Rev. j. D. Kin
ger, made an address to the school, and also
to the congregation. Perhaps the most pleas
ing feature of the exercises was a song by the
Infant Glass, which was well rendered and
brought smile to all faces. The choir also
took part in the exercises and rendered some
choice selections, especially the quartet by
Messrs Spurrier and Murray and Mrs. Spur
rier and Mrs. C. V. Wantz.
On New Years Eve there was a Christmas
- Ia ~ H.
tributed by Santa Claus to the children of
the Sunday School. Rev. J. d. Kinzer, the
pastor of the church, received set of china.
Miss Florence Herring presided at the organ
on both occasions.
ASCENSION CHURCH.
When the worshippers assembled for the
the midnight celebration on Christmas morn
ing in Ascension Church, they found the altar
beautifully dressed with flowers and the church
tastefully and appropriately decorated with
the evergreens which venerable and time-hon-
ored custom has made symboleal of the eter-
nal sonship of the Babe of Bethlehem. Be-
sides the celebration at midnight, which was
choral, there was a plain celebration at I
O. clock in the morning and also another choral
celebration at 1890. The music was well
rendered and showed careful preparation on
the part of the organist and choir. The SER
vices were enjoyed by all who attended them,
and increasing interest was shown in them.
The ringing of the chapel bell at 100 o. clock
on last Monday evening called the children of
Ascension P. Z. parish to view the Christmas
tree and receive their presents. The tree was
beautifully decorated and the chapel was
handsomely trimmed with evergreens, holly,
etc. The services began by the singing of
hymn-"It Came Upon a Midnight Clear =
after which the services were chanted by the
rector, Rev. S. B, Pond. A Christmas carol
was then sung and Mr.. Pond made short
address to the children, impressing upon them
the necessity of obedience to their parents.
During his remarks the tree was lit up, and
at their conclusion the little ones were called
up by classes to receive their gifts, which
consisted oftwo boxes of candy and an orange
for each one. All during the services the
faces of the children were wreathed in smiles
in anticipation of the good things TO come.
Mr.. Pond was also the recipient of hand
some present from the congregation and also
a gifeffcm the Sunday School. The services
concluded blythe singing of another carol.
ST. JOINS CHURCH.
At ST. Johns Church the first grand high
mass was at o'clock, and was followed i'm
mediately after by low mass, and also grand
high mass at 10 o'clock. The altar was hand
somely trimmed with evergreens and flowers,
and over a hundred wax candles lighted 1t.
The side affairs were also decorated, and
wreGths were hung in profusion around the
church and gallery. Stern's mass in q. was
executed in a fine manner by the choir; at the
sermon Millard's Veni Creator, solo and
chorus; at the offertory Sit Nomen Benedic-
tum, duet and chorus; and the hymn with
Glory Lit the Midnight Air" by Dr. Diel.
man, solo and chorus, were remarkably well
rendered. The sermon was on the great fes
tival The collection was for St. Mary Semi
nary and realized S64.65. At the first mass
the church was crowded and several hundred
partook of the Holy Communion. At vespers
some choice duets and choruses were given.
Prof G. II. Spurrier assisted at all the SER
vices. Beginning with Advent, the pastor,
Rev. John Gloyd, gave instruction pertaining
to the festival.
Election and Installation of officers.