The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-01-11
Christmas at Santuo.

fr-~~ - ''S SVn'"sh'y, anu as tney nave
come OF will attempt to give yeu des-
: crlption of them-one at least-and of tho
enjoyment that arose tberefrom, il other
thoughts do not so successfully run through
my mind as to incapacitate me for either
thinking or writing.
Concerning the tree at Gilliam's Chapel,
on Christmas eve, am sorry to say that 1
esuld not attend, owing to my having busi-
ness at the country's metropolis but
learn from those who were there that II
was decided success. The tree was q
beautiful holly, filled with red berries,
themselves adding beauty to the tree, and
combined with the artistic flower decora-
tions, gave it brilliant appearance. The
doors and windows were oloscd, and the
lamps lighted, which gave the interior Of
thS church the appearance of night. One
thing worthy Of mention was the quietness
Of the occasion, which made it pass off
smoothly and without grating.
hope, by being present, may be en-
abled to give better sketch of the Christ
mas tree on Tuesday night, the 25th, ut
Salem Church. just as the hours of the
"blessed natal morning" began to mellow
into warmth, from the glowing sunshine,
the committee appointed by the school to
prepare the tree, was at their place with
pretty cedar, which was selected by the
ladies, as it did not have the sticking leaves
peculiar to the holly. After the tree was
firmly planted tho committee retired, TO
give place to the committee for decorating
the tree and putting on the presents; the
lady members of which were Mrs. j. Ii.
Randolph, Mrs Il. G. Hobson, Mrs. l.. c.
,Crocker, Misses Bessie Jeter, Ida Jones,
Ida Johns, aud Eliza Johns, assisted by
Miss Vicky Peake, of Glenn Springs, who
took very active part in the tree, aud the
welfare of the little Sunday School sch GLARS.
This committee with their half dozen male
assistants, worked assiduously from ~ NJ.
until dark in trying to put on the tree the
numerous presents before the beginning of
the exercises of the occasion, at 7 p. NJ.
The tree was loaded with rich, beautiful
and useful presents that made it fairly
glitter. Everything was unwrapped before
being put on, to give the tree moro bril-
liancy, and so it could be seen by the audi
ence. except ON occasional package sent
there for a young lady by some adoring
Juvenile, who earnestly requested that they
would not be unwrapped.
AS tho sun began rapidly to approach
the Western horizon, almost every one be-
gan hurrying hither and thither, looking
bright and pleasant, smiling as they thought
Of the pleasant surprises they were pre-
pariog for their friends, parents, brothers,
sisters, sons, daughters, cousins, sweet
hs.r.s, and enfdnts terrible.
At p. NJ. the audience, which filled tho !
church, was addressed by DR.. John p.
Thomas. followed by Rev. j. NJ, Friday.
Then began the distribution of{presents,
and the little ones seemed to a into un-
utterable ecatacies. Not altogether was
|Csls tree Uolsssed-te-sule ule~-s Sunday School,
Sst Others, not members: placed gifts upon 4!
it, for their friends and relatives, which |
helped considerably. All of the real pres
ents were appreciated, but there were some
that suppose might have been called comi-
cal ones. which caused great deal Of
hearty laughter, that could not bc sup |
pressed, but at which one could not become |
offended, but had to laugh at their own
selling" with the expectation of getting
q chance to laugh in return at their elbow
neighbor.
The foregoing are the pleasant social
features Of such ON occasion, but thoro are
always some drawbacks when anything like
that is held during Christmas week, where |
whiskey is so free and plentiful, and those
who have lost control Of themselves, or
wLo utterly ignore self-control, and have
No gauge to their tanks, can fill themselves
with it, making Of their hearts the "dsvil's |
workshops" by converting themselves into
full grown idiots, and 60 into church |
making oil sorts of uncaled for and dis |
turbing noises.
Nevertheless, this was delightful oc-
casion, and enjoyment ran high; kindly |
greetings were interchanged, that betokened |
the kindly relations that existed between
ell present. l hippo the pleasant memories
Of the gathering will long be borne in
recoll ections, because so replete with Incl
dents that cvinced the best quality Of social
life and intercourse.
Salem Sunday School was reorganized on
Sunday--we reorganizs at the end of every
year--with the following selection of Off
oers sup't. {: E.'Rand6lph; Asst sup't.
r. q. .Hobson; Secretary and Treasurer,
E. ". Jefer; Librarian, X. II. Johns.
We expect to have, as we have always
had, fne school. Our School does not,
! like the roses, wither, but like the ever
green. lives through winter. L. W..