The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-07

Christmas evening the services were
conducted by the Sunday school. and the
following Tuesday an entertainment, I'M.
der the management of Mrs. Lucia Pierce
entitled, Among the Pines" was given,
both of which were very entertaining
and excellently carried out.
Oak Park, Ill.
Rev. Miss Chaplin was very agreeably
surprised" at the Christmas festival of
her church. The members OF the parish
presented her with set of the Encyclo-
pedia Britannica--the fine English edition
"a most valuable and acceptable gift.
Miss Helen Gale made very happy pre-
sentation speech which was responded
to by the pastor. Miss Chaplin also re-
ceived from the members of her Bible
and Browning classes, the new and ele-
CANT Riverside edition OF Robert Brown
ing. The books we're accompanied with
handsome bookcase. It is needless to
say that the pastor of Unity church is
happy.
Greenup, Ill.
The church at this place is enjoying
unusual prosperity. We commenced
our Christmas festivities by two lectures
on the Holy Land, by Br. Charles Styer,
President of the Indiana Convention of
Univerealists. They gave good satisfac-
ton. On Saturday night the Sunday
school had q Christmas tree accompan-
led by concert. The house was crowded
and ell were pleased. Our school has
doubled in numbers in one year. 1t now
numbers seventy-six and is a lively
school. Christmas day the pastor preach
ed sermon on the birth of Christ; at
night he preached on the growth of
Christianity. Rev. J. K. Dillon is doing
good work here.
Sycamore, Ill.
A large audience filed the Universalist
church on Christmas night to listen to
a sacred concert given by the Sunday
school. The music, under the direction
of Mrs Fl. M. Stevens was especially fine.
Miss Cora Whitmore's recitation show
ed much originality Of expression. The
collection was generous. After the morn
ing service on Christmas day the congre-
cation was invited into the school-room
below, where the pastor, Rev. W. s.
Ralph, presented Mr.. L. J. Irish with
fine crayon portrait of himseltto be hung
on the vestry walls. Mr.. Irish has been
for some years superintendent of the
Sunday school. The gift is from the
pupils and teachers Of the school, who
thus express their gratitude for his labors
among them.
Decentralization Church.
A happy observance of Christmas oc-
CURED in the Mcmillan Street Univers.
alist church on Saturday night, Dec. "a.
In the center OF the audience room was
large evergreen tree, finely decorated
and made brilliant by many lighted car
dies After season of sociability, the
superintendent of the Sunday school,
Mr.. L. FL. Utz, called the assembly to order
and announced the order of exercises,
which consisted of several musical selec-
tions by the school, a song by the infant
class, recitations, with very spirited rem
dition of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol
Tiny Tim," by Mrs. O. FL. Stephens
Santa Claus then appeared in person to
the delight of the children, and distrib-
uted his favors with impartial and gener-
GUS hands. To all who were present it
was memorable and happy occasion.
Junction City, Kan.
AS quiet as we may seem to be out
here in Central Kansas, it is nevertheless
true that we, as church, are in the
midst of prosperity. Two weeks ago our
Ladies' Society, finding that the church
was behind in its finances, held Corn
Sociable, making corn in all it's varieties
tempting dish to place before the guests.
and their receipts, clear from all expenses,
amounted to $3.50. So again we have
money in our treasury. On Christmas
eve our Sunday-school, numbering 100,
were called together at the church par
Tors and, as usual, books were given to
each scholar. Every Christmas we dis
tribute books in this way to the value Of
$50 or $40 We think this custom will
bring in the end its harvest of rich
fruit. Sunday evening, the 25th, our
school gave varied entertain ment CON
sisting of singing and declamations, all
appropriate 20 Christmas, and it proved
highly satisfactory to crowded house of
people. or course the pastor gave a
Christmas sermon in the morning. We
think we have the best society in the city
from the fact it is made up of the lead
ing men and women in this locality.
With such noble army of men and wo-
men, it is not so much the preacher that
makes a prosperous society as the eff.
cheney of its members, who are reliable
in every emergency. Junction City Uni
versalist Society sends greetings to all
our happy fraternity.