The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-01-02
Christmas sunday.

Last Sunday was largely observed
throughout the country as "Christmat
Sunday" Even those churches which
celebrate the actual day repeated much
of The music which had been before
rendered. In Bennington the Baptist
Second Congregational and Methodist
people listened to able sermons in har.
mony with the joyous event and to
music by their respective choirs OF
more than ordinary excellence. The at
tendance was unusually large.
At the First Baptist, both morning
and evening, as announced, the double
quartet'e sang inspiring numbers. All
but one setting of these were entirely
new selections, and the various solos,
duets and choruSes were rendered with
great taste and in admirable voice. The
morning service opened with Adste
Fidelec, followed by a carol and t.
Deum-the latter. Dudley Bucks in E
minor. In this the solos were taken by
Mrs. Downs, Mss Middlebrook and Prof
Squire. Wi bout going into the particu-
lars of a complete order, we mention
some of the anthems -" Calm on the
Listening Ear of Night" solo by Mrs.
Downs; 1T came upon the Midnight
Clear" solo by Mi Middlebrook, both
ny Gilchrist. One of these, the mu ic
written by Sullivan, was also sung and
was the only old piece Of music used
The morning offertory, solo and chorus.
was fine, Mrp. OWNS taking the solo
In 'Bl 'sslng and Honor" by Pitt, Prof
Squire sang the basso solo. At the re-
quest of many in this congregation this
music will be repeated next Sunday, the
services being transposed. Mrs. J
Parmenter presided at the organ with
her usual acceptance.
The church was Handsomely trimmed
with eve greens, and preset ted charm
ing appearance. The contour OF the
church renders it particular susceptible
to the d display OF taste in trimming.
AT the Second Congregational church
very fine list of musical selections had
been made and were finely rendered
Mrs. George w. Keeseman presided
with her usual grace ut the organ, and
the regular choir were present The
Christmas music was more particularly
in the morning service and opened with
Brewers setting of ''Glsd Tidings,"
soprano solo and chorus, including a
enor and soprano Duet and closing
with "Hark What Mean those Holy
Voices" Schumann-W Warren new edi
uon) soprano solo by Mrs. ]. Ed. Mer-
riIl, with chorus. The choir also rem
dered THE Bird let loose from East
ern Skies," by Strach iuer, alto solo by
Mrs. Col. Bennett, and chorus. A
Christmas anthem, "Sing unto the
Lord Blumenschein. soprano solo. and
An offertory, "Oh Holy Night" solo by
Mrs. Merrill. This service VI song was
we'll prepared and greatly enjoyed.
At the Methodist church the singing
was grand-as one expressed it II en-
joyed it better than any we have had
since have been here" Alex. j. Cooper
presided at the organ. The pastor
preached a sermon based upon the
''augel's song: "Glory to God in the
Highest, and on Earth Peace, good will
toward Men," We have not been fur
nished with list Of music for review.
At st. Peters portion of the Christ
mas music was repeated, but the Choral
Evensong was not sung owing to the
rector's suffering from a severe cold.
The double quartette, however, and a
large audience were on hand,