Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-01-06
sTRAsBURG ITEMS.

The quarterly meeting of the NJ. f..
Church was held in this place beginning
on saturday, Dec. 31st. On Sunday last,
the Presiding Elder, Rev. J. S. Martin,
preached in the morning, also at night
Protracted services are being held nightly
during the week by the pastor, Rev H..
A. Gaver assisted by the Rev. Mr. Zlm-
norman.
The holidays passed off quietly in this
place, with the usual amount of fire
works, fire. water turkey roasts, and
Christmas doings generally, prominent
among the latter, was the annual Sunday
School festivities at the Methodist church
on Christmas eve night, where a ship fully
rugged, and handsomely trimmed with
presents for the children of the school
were given out to them after very elabo-
rate programe was rendered by the school,
consisting of Christmas carols, chants,
anthems, &c. The church was densely
packed aud the exercises. of a highly in
teresting and enjoyable character,
On Monday night, Dec. 26th, the
Lutheran Sunday School held their
splendid Christmas, celebration in the
Lutheran church, which was filled to
OVERLOOKING long before the appointed
hour, 6. p. IN. The handsome interior of
the church, which is finely painted and
frescOed, was hung in festoons Of ever
greens, gracefully arranged by the fair
hands of the young ladies of the school.
The panels Of the walls we're decorated
with appropriate notices, well BETTING
the Joyous occasion which called together
this dense and happy throng, all seeming
ly intent on doing honor to the eighteen
hundred and eighty-seventh anniversary
of the Babe of Bethlehem. in rear Of,
and Immediately over the pulpit, stood
forth IN a medallion OF exquistely arrang-
ed evergreen letters, the words "Gloria in
Excelsis," whilst above the chancel was
an elegant arch Of overgreens and flowers,
lighted with candles, the glare of which,
enhanced to high degree the well con-
ceived and finely executed taste of the
general surroundings. Towering above
the altar decorations stood forth in living
green massive cross, to the right OF
which, and high above all, was the Star
Of Bethlehem, which cast its soft, yet
= iiulgent rays upon the unique yet splen-
did decorations Of the whole interior OF
the church. Time and space forbids
more extended notice of this fairy-like
scene As TO the music, both vocal and
instrumental, it is only necessary to say
that it was charming in the extreme, and
rendered in a manner and style highly
commendabls to the splendid choir oil
ladies and gentlemen, assisted by the
well-trained voices of the children OF this
school. The address by the pastor, Rev.
L. L. Smith, was marvel Of appropri-
ateness, well BETTING the occasion, as
was evidenced by the quiet and respectful
attention paid him, and the smiling faces
and bright eyes Of the children, which
danced and sparkled, and seemed to vie
with the sheen Of the general surround
ings.
After the address came the distribution
of the gifts. Not one scholar OF the school
was omitted, all received a gift, and OF
the same size, quantity and quality, which
consisted of handsome package OF the
best French corrections. Where all were
alike served, there was no grounds for
partlality or hard feelings disappointment
or envy. After the conclusion OF this
important feature Of the programme, came
the magn ifcent chanting of anthems,
Christmas carols, &c, &C., by the choir,
following which came the benedictlon,
and thus ended this happily conceived,
we'll executed programme Of this model
school,