The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-30
Christmas in Montpelier.

A green Christmas, they say, makes fat
churchSard. But what shall we say of
Christmas whose tinge of verdgris is accom-
panied oy drizzling rain and an epidemic of
grip Yet, in spite of all these discouraging
features, there was good deal of merry
making, as a glance at the following reDort
will show.
At Bethany vestry on Friday evening Santa
Claus dlsported himself gaily. The stage
had been set to represent an old-fashioned
roof, with large brick chimney. Rev. Mr.,
Gallagher read kilograms from Santa Claus,
dated from different places in the world,
and announcing his progress. Soon he ar
rived in the person of w. G. Cotton, his
precious sled drawn by a reindeer made up
of ii. S. and L. S. Cotton so naturally that
the resemblance was more than striking.
Down the chimney went the saint, and then
the scene shifted to parlor. Everything
awaited the saints coming-the stockings
all hung in row. He came, and then fol-
lowed jollitication and the distribution OF
presents to the children. Sunday evening
there was concert by the Sunday-schooi,
with songs and Rotations, remarks by Mr..
Gallagher, and the reading of the roll of
honor for the year.
At Christ church Christmas eve there was
full Christmas service in the old fashioned
way, the first since the parish worshiped in
the old wooden church in 1867. The Star
of Bethlehem" Waterman, tell us of the
night" and other old songs renewed their
youth. Rev. Mr.. Lewis delivered an inter-
esting sermon. Christmas morning there
was full service with communion. In the
afternoon at four o'clock came a Sunday
school festival, with carols, talk by the
rector, and the distribution of gifts from the
tree. The church was deliberately trimmed
by the ladies' of the parish Mrs. l. d. Moul-
ton and Mrs. +. A. Adams being notceably
prominent in the decorating. Wreaths, fes-
toons, and greens were in profusion, on the
altar were seven immense candles, while
| two dozen candles lit up the base of the
! chancel window over the altar. Sunday
morning the Christmas music was repeated.
In the evening there was a sermon by the
rector on the four principal epochs in the
| life of a young man-his choice of profess
| sion, his choice of wife, his first great sue
cess, and his first great sorrow.
The interior of the Unitarian church never
looked prettier than it did last Sunday
evening, decked in its Christmas attire. The
pulpit had been removed, and the charming
white back ground was broken by garlands
of evergreen. In the foreground stood a
large white cross covered with evergreen,
and in the center twinkled an illuminated
star. On either side was large shield,
with the words Peace on earth T" on one,
and Good will toward men on the other.
Over all hung GLORY to God in the High
est" The evening was given over to the
children. The choir opened the exercises
with song, followed by recitatons and read
ings by Matte Tanner, Eddie Gould, Henry
Coffrin, Bessie Pitkn. Mabel Tanner, the
Infant class" and by groups of larger
girls. The program was interspersed with
music by the choir and Sunday-school. Rev.
Mr.. Wright's little story" and remarks
were much enjoyed. Tomorrow evening
the operetta Caught Mapping" will be
produced, and the golden Christmas tree
will be plucked.