The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-07
CHRISTMAS In OUR CHURCHES.
Echoes of the Great Festival.-0b-
servanee of the Anniversary in
the Churches and Sunday
Schools.

Oakland, Ind.
The Sunday school at Oakland gave
concert on Christmas eve which was
grand success and gave general satisfac-
ton. The school is in good condition
and the church unusually prosperous.
st. Paul's, Chicago.
The Sunday-school had it's annual en-
tertainment on Tuesday evening of last
week. The attendance was large, and the
beautiful chapel looked very attractivsin
its holiday attire. The entertainment CON
sisted of"Mother Goose"shadow pictures
with Rotations and singing.
Tecumseh, Mich.
Rev. J. M. Getchell writes us: "My
churches are doing WELL Never more unity
and the work prospers. At our Sunday
school concert, Sunday evening, Dec 25.
the congregation in return gave us the
largest collection ever given in the his
tory of the Sunday school"
Plainfeld, Ill.
anniversary in pleasing manner. There
was good attendance and special inter
est in the services. Rev. J. Mortified is
still the pastor OF the little flock, leading
them with true shepherds care.
Blue Island, Ill.
The Sunday. school Of this church OBJ
rarvad Nhriotrooo ava with oon,oOr;oxo
declarations and songs. The church was
nicely decorated with evergreens and a
tree well loaded with nuts, candy and
presents for the Sunday school children.
On the following Sabbath the pastor gave
special Christmas sermon.
Huntington, o.
The sunday school in connection with
this church gave a concert Christmas
eve as a prelude to harvesting the
fruit of the mystic tree. Where all do
well 1T is difficult to specialize, but we
cannot refrain from giving our preference
to Miss Maud Bakers rendering OF "The
| Convict's Christmas Eve" by Will Carl
! ton.
| Springfield, Ill.
Notwithstanding the usual Christmas
attractions elsewhere, the religious inter
est evinced by the social gatherings OF
old and young is matter OF encourage
ment and rejoicing. The Christmas tree
was made entertaining to the Sunday
school, and to the large audience in at
tendance. Santa CLAUS was there full OF
wit and fun, loaded with Christmas
gifts, to the great Joy of all the children
Wausau, Wis.
The Wausau school had most happy
time Christmas. A beautiful tree was
erected for Saturday evening, and forest
scene arranged with wigwams, pappoo-
ses, live Indians, etc. There were reci-
tations and singing by the Sunday school
and distribution Of presents. On Sunday
morning the pastor gave Christmas SER
mon. Sunday evening there was recita-
lions and singing by the Sunday-school,
assisted by the choir.
very pleasing program, consisting of
songs, choruses, dialogues and cantata,
was rendered in the vestry of the Plum
Street church, Dec. %, in the presence
of large audience. Much credit is due
to the committee of arrangements, and
the participants, for the excellent rendi-
ton of the cantata. Presents were dis
tributed by Santa Claus and his assist
ants, which were greatly appreciated by
the children.
st. Paul, MINI.
While no attempt was made for a spec
ial service, Christmas was not unobserv-
ed; the pulpit was appropriately trimmed,
and the pastor took for his subject, "Im-
mortality as revealed by Christ" The
principal feature OF the service was the
presentation of the organ, costing seven
ty dollars, by the Ladies' Aid Society, to
the church. Their money will now be
used for the purchase of lot, feeling
that they must have church home. On
Tuesday evening the Sunday school had
an entertainment consisting of recita-
tions and the reading of an original story
by the pastor.
Devon, Ind.
We have just closed successful year.
Fifteen have recently joined the church.
We had pleasant Christmas entertain
ment. As variation from the evergreen
tree, we had revolving pyramid loaded
with presents. Total receipts $50. Rev.
T. s. Guthrie has been our pastor for
twelve years, and the church has pros
pered under his care. 1t has grown
from membership OF twenty-five to
eighty, Notwithstanding deaths and re-
movals. AS reminder of his long and
faithful services, Br. Guthrie was pre-
sented with a fine seal skin cap to which
he responded in an appropriate speech
| In feeling manner