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


come off will attempt to give ycu a des
cription OF them-one at least-and of tn,
enjoyment that arose therefrom, il other
thoughts do not so successfully run through
my mind as to incapacitate me for either
thinking or writing.
Concerning the tree at Gilliams Chapel
on Christmas eve, am sorry to say that
could not attend, owing to my having bust
ness at the country's metropolis but
learn from those who were there that il
vas decided success. The tree was a
beautiful holly, filed with red berries
themselves adding beauty to the tree, and
combined with the artistic flower decora-
tions, gave it a brilliant appearance. The
doors and windows were closed, and the
lamps lighted, which gave the interior Of
the church the appearance of night One
thing worthy Of mention was the quietness
OF the occasion, which made it pass of
moothly and without grating.
hope, by being present, L may be en-
abled to give better sketch of the Christ
mas tree on Tuesday night, the 25th at
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 q
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. III.
Randolph, Mrs Il. q. lIobson, 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 scholars.
This committee with their half dozen male
assistants, worked assiduously from II NJ.
until dark in trying to put on the troo the
numerous presents before the beginning of
the exercises of the occasion, at 7 z. 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 more bril-
liancy, and so it could be seen by the audi
ence. except an occasional package sent
there for young lady by some adoring
juvenile, who earnestly requested that they
would not be unwrappcd.
AS the sun began rapidly to approach
the Western horizon, almost every one be-
gan hurrying hithcr and thither, looking
bright and pleasant, smiling az they thought
of the pleasant surprises they were pre-
pairing for their friends, parents, brothers,
sisters, sons, daughters, cousins, sweet
hearts, and entants terrible.
At p. Nj. the audience, which filed the
church, was addressed by Dir. John L.
Thomas, followed by Rev. j. NJ. Friday.
Then began the distribution of presents,
and the little ones seemed to go into un-
utterable ecstacies. Not altogether was
D,ie tree confined to Salem Sunday School,
6ut others, not members, placed gifts upon
it, for their friends and relatives, which
helped considerably. All Of The rcs! pres
ents were appreciated, but there were some
that suppose might have been called com'-
cal ones which caused = great deal Of
hearty laughter, that could not be sup
pressed, but at which one could not become
offended, but had to laugh at their own
"selliug," with the expectation OF getting
a chance to laugh in return at their elbow
neighbor.
The foregoing are the pleasant social
features of such an occasion, but thorc are
always some drawbacks when anything like
that is held during Christmas week, where
whiskey is 80 free and plentiful, and those
who have lost control of themselves, or
WHO utterly ignore selfcontrol, and have
No gauge 10 their tanks, can fill themselves
with it, making of their hearts the "devips
workshops by converting themselves into
full grown idiots, and 60 into church
making all sorts of uncaled for and dis
turbing noises.
Nevertheless, this was q delightful oc-
casion, and enjoyment ran high; kindly
greetings were iuterchanged, that bctokcned
the kindly relations that existed between
oil present. l hppe tho pleasant memories
of the gathering will long be borne in
recollections, because so rcplete with Incl
dents that evinccd the best quality Of social
life and intercourse.
Salem Sunday School was reorganizcd on
Sunday--we rcorganizs at the end Of every
year-with the following selection of Off
GERS sup't. !: H'RondGlph Asst sup's.
r.. q. IIobson: Secretary and Treasurer,
E. ~. Jeter; Librarian, X. ii. Johns.
We expect TO have, as we have always
had, q fine school. Our School does not,
like the roses, wither, but like the ever
green, lives through winter i. W. j.