Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-12-31
THE CHRISTM.f.of
TIO.Nh'
HOW the Festival Wa
Brattle b0rO Churchet
Achools,

and from -l4--F
How the Festival Wa b.. ,,a. open. all
BratleborO Churehes D., v.-,g III
schools. uriuM's - -
Al en- ,r of service the
st Michael, Episcopal ,..rt while man,
GRATED much a, usual at O. tsd p-evi1usl
ropes of evergreen were Il q. take a last
the walls and at the rear Of ..,r went dir 1
wreaths Of evergreen dotted h.riauce with y
with clusters Of the scarlet .,,.. were I
bittersWe"t above which wa, ,,.r- nev-rt'
star. The services Of Christm consisted u
Morning Prayer, Holy Commul r. b, Rev !
sermon by the rector founded ... iy the }
XIX. :. ON sunday morning VI 4 hos Mr "
sermon Wa appropriate 10 the ere thu htA
threefold "hAracter-as the day afr Or -
mas. 1t Stephen day. and the la.r Hon I
Of the civil year Under the lagr EAWaf
three divisions the speaker urged Brooks
pOrtance Of a backward look over past sun
days Of the past year. to see if tn erected
been spent in suitable ways, in order wed Il
lesson might be drawn therefrom her al
should help to make each SUNDAY
coming year most truly the Lords IAry Z
On the evening Of Holy Innocents' 4 and
day the annual parish festival was helny
Crosby hall. where a bright little pNrs
French before Breakfast. " was present ho'
I
kidder sang a duet 50 rharmingly that theie
audience encored them twice over. and
choir of boys sang several Christmas carolst
Then the presents on Il well filled tree were
distributed 90 the children cake and coffee
were served. and a social dance brought the
evenings festivities to a Close
81 McHAEL's ,R. O. CHURCH
The Roman Catholic church was crowded
on Christmas Eve. ON the occasion of the
celebration Of the Midnight mass which be
gan at quarter Of IL The decorations Of
the church were abundant and effective
The Rev Father Cunningham preached a
sermon from the gospel for the day. the
music was excellent and the whole service
was impressive and inspiring. 1t Is under
stood that the Christmas Offering given bv
the congregation at the service for the ben
eft Of Mr.. Cunningham amounted TO a
handsome sum. The attendance was large
at all Of the services held in the church on
Christmas day.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The Methodist Sunday school found it,
Christmas festival at the vestrv on Satur-
day evening a great success in every way.
The Christmas tree b1re presents for all the
little folk and the large company present
had very merry time. The SUNDAY morn
ing church service enforced the lessons Of
the Christmas season. At this service seven
candidates were received into full commun-
ion.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The Christmas party which the Unitarian
society held al the Lend a Hand club rooms
on FRIDAY evening called out full attend.
ance of both children and grown ups The
supper table with its pretty Christmas dec
oratlons presented pleasant scene when
the children were seated with abundance Of
T good cheer. There were presents for all
and an hours romp closed the evening On
+ Sunday evening a spirited and interesting
/ Christmas service was held at the church
/ consisting Of responsive readings, carols.
recitations, selections by the choir. and a
I solo Rest in the Lord, Sc impressively rem
dered by Mrs f. r. Pratt
J UNIvERsAIIsT CHURCH-sUNDAY SERVICES.
At the Universalist church the morning
service was appropriate 10 Christmas The
pulpit, gas fixtures and organ were taste
fully decorated with evergreen and laurel.
Rarely. if ever. has the music been 50 fine
ly rendered 1t consisted Of an organ pre-
lude from Tannhausser, Christmas respon-
siye service, anthems Arise, Shine, and
Brightest and Best" by Buck. and the us
ual hymns The pastor, Rev +. W Whit
ney, preached from Luke II; Is, They
came with haste, and found Mary and 10
seph, and the babe lying in the manger'
Under what humble circumstances. said Mr.
Whitney, the savior ~ the world was born Had
he b-en an earthly primo, his birth would have
h-en celebrated with joyous bursts Of music. am
glad FESTIVITIES by the people. In a mangeT. sur
rounded by feeding cattle, with no worldly POM
aud celebration, the long -promis-d Messiah wa,
. born: tut today. whilr the rulers Of his day an
vel nigh forgotten. hIs birth is commemorate
with increasing gratitude and JOY 10 the end OF
the earth
Why came Christ into the world II was hE
mission 10 reveal God, in the fullness Of his l1y,
and goodness. Before his advent men knew of
God power and wisdom. but his more tender ant
hrnrncrut attributes were yrilesi from their sight
By hls teachings Jesus revealed the falhrrhoul TO-
God He shovel that love is the central and r,-s
IS nant motive Of the Divine NATURE Christ - rii
hoCleu 81 Inc nature that be c,ald truly sly
he that hath So - syn the Father
10, oleoEgI he ~ .ss -,i,.-n q