The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-01-02
Christmas Observances.
n THE METHopIsT CHURCH.

Christmas at the Methodist Cnurcn
was observed between 6 80 and Z 30. DIR.
Rodgers made an instructive and inter
esting address upon the Incarnation, the
! lesson being drawn from the second
chapter of Luke From this he diverged
into few thoughts respecting who
should be the recipients of Christmas be-
nevolence and bounty, quoting the text
from Nehemiah go thy way, eat the
fat and drink the sweet and send por-
tions to them for whom nothing is pre-
pared" Also from the text, when thou
makest feast call not thy rich," &c.
In the evening at s o'clock the Sunday
School held it's celebration in the body
of the church. This was packed to over
flowing to witness a very impressive, ca
ger and exciting spectacle. The services
consisted of prayer by the pastor, Dr.
Rodgers, singing and speechifying by
the children, and the distribution OF
boxes of sweetmeats to the children,
called up in their respective classes.
To any one who had just stepped in
was a very glowing and vivid tribute to
the winding up OF Christmas day-the
bright, expectant faces, the sweet voices
ringing out loud and clear in song, and
the youths and maidens, little and big,
faltering and blushing over their recita-
tive tasks, yet coming out right in the
main.
We mention several of the songs and
pieces that were particularly worthy OF
mention, while all were highly credita
BILE in delivery as we'll as fortunate in
choice. The opening song, Calm on
the Listening Ear" by Miss Mary Wood,
Mrs. A. L. King, Miss Ella Blackburn,
Mrs. C. r. Caldwell and Prof. w. w.
Robertson, united an assemblage of
excellent voices and was well sung. The
prayer by DR.. Rodgers was most i'm
pressive. The recitation and songs by
twenty five girls were pretty and effect
i've. Miss Susie Perry's recitation, ''The
Knight and the Page" told charmingly
the story in poetry of the contest be-
tween the valiant page and the willful
knight. Miss Oracle Moore's recitation,
annie and Willie's Prayer" was be-
witching; her voice was as clear as a
bell, and her gestures and expression
perfect.
The song, CLAP Your Hands for
JOY" by fourteen children and the in
FAINT class was remarkably done for such
"wee" tots Miss Mabel Nimmo's, ''They
Call Me Little Chatter-Box would have
brought down the house had encore
been allowed. Little Bessie Riley's, "a
Picture Wanted was cute beyond
description; also Miss Cora Pritchards
recitation, why Santa Claus Sneezed,"
was an excellent rendition. Little Ar
mand Hammond did his part SO beauti-
fully that it would be an unjust discrimi-
nation did we not record our pleasure
and surprise at the remarkable talent
displayed by one who has not pass
ed the infantile stage. The bene-
dictiOn was pronounced and the happy
little ones dispersed, hugging their prizes
and packages, and wishing doubtless
once a year. To Prof. Robinson and
Mrs. A. L. King are due the efforts that
accomplished SO pleasant and successful
celebration Of Christmas night.
The very courteous committee on en-
tertain1nent were Mrs. King, Misses Fan
ME Stratton, Ella Blackburn, Mr.. Cald-
well and Prof w. w. Robinson.
AT ST. FRANCIS CHURCH.
Christmas day at St. Francis Catholic
Church was observed by the observance
o'clock, service at 1890 and vespers in the
afternoon. The attendance of each ser
vice was large. Ageneral air of festivity
pervaded the interior of the church, the
affairs being skillfully and profusely
adorned with cut and potted flowers,
over which shone the soft light of a
profusion of waxen tapers. At the 1890
service, Father McVerry discoursed ap-
propriately and impressively upon the
significance of the day and the deeper
and merry-making. These lessons he
drew from the first part of the first.chap-
ter of the gospel by st. John, and from
the same of the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Part of the music for which Prof Wal
tiers was responsible was very sweet. In
the "Kyrie," Prof. Walters own ar
rangement, the soloists were Mr.. NJ. T.
Bergen and Miss Mary Lyons. The solos
were beautiful in themselves and we'll
sung. Mr.. Bergen has rich, true,
well modulated bass and Miss Lyons a
very sweet soprano. Miss Mary Walters
produced the solo in the Gloria by Rose
wig very effectively. She also rendered
with very fine expression the beautiful
soprano solo, EFT in Carnatus Est" in
the "Credo,' by Rosewig. The require
ments of the duet in this mass, ''Et in
Unum Sanctum." between Mr. Edward
Murray and Mr.. Rergen, were also har-
moniously met. Miss Mary Walters
presided at the organ with an ability
quite remarkable for one SO young.
A NASAL INJECTOR free with each bot
tie of Shiloh's Catarrh Remedy. Price
so cents at w. NJ. Aliens, successor to
Child and Shelton.
Fires.