St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1891-12-31
CHRISTMAS SERVICES.

A Season of GIadness that was not Al
lowed to Pass by Unobserved in ST.
Johnsbury-
1t was indeed green Christmas
that of 1S91-and so far as the
weather and atmosphere were con-
cerned it was an unusual Christmas.
The frigid air and the depth of snow
that are commonly looked for at
such a time were not to be felt or
seen, and as the average citizen
walked about the streets, umbrella
in hand, he was more than once
heard to remark" Well, if this
doesn't beat ALL No jingle of
sleigh-bells, only the drip of the rain,
or the splash of the puddle after the
rain.
But the weather never makes a
great difference to thejoyful anticipa-
tions of the children, and the St.
Johnsburv little people had as good
a time as ever this year. Arrange
ments had been made in the different
churches, by those who take delight
in making children happy, and so
there were certain joyful gatherings
around Christmas trees or in
Christmas concert, which will be
remembered for some time to come.
At the North Church.
On Sunday morning Rev. Mr..
1amson preached a Christmas ser
mon from Luke ii 9-"And, 10, the
angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone
round about them: and they were
sore afraid" He emphasized the
joyful fact that there was such a
thing as the doctrine of the shepherd
of a common, everyday life-as well
as doctrine of the angels. He was
glad to think of the angels on this
occasion as not afar off, but right
down in the midst of and with the
shepherds. He dwelt upon the idea
that there is no remOteneSS about
this Christmas JOY and gladness-it
is right near us, within our easy
reach-and illustrated how the mind
could grasp and make use of it with
blessed results. The music at this
service was especially inspiring,
rendered as it was with much spirit
The selections were as follows:
-Anthem-"Angelic Voices, Gounod
TIE Deum in c. Buck.
Duet~''Hark Harkl My Soul, Shelley
Organ Postlude.
The incidental solos were sustained
by Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs. Hazen and
Messrs. Humphrey aud Silsby; the
duet being sung by the ladies above
mentioned.
In the evening the children held
their annual Christmas exercise,
which was very interesting through
out, and was enjoyed by a large
audience. The first half of the pro-
gramme was entirely devoted to
musical features, each one based up
on the important theme which stirs
all Christendom at this season.
Aside from the Christmas hymns in
which the congrega ton joined, the
music was as follows:
Organ Prelude
H nn-"Hark, what mean those
holy voices, p Choir
Bethlehem, Choir
chr siean caro-sleep my saTiof Cameron
Song-A Dream of Bethlehem Mrs.
P. F. Hazen
20 Little Town of Bethlehem
Mahogany Ouartette
-Joyfully Ring" Chorus of Girls
Mahogany Ouartette
Organ Post1ude.
The pastor made short address
to the children, giving them an
-acrostic on the word "Christmas"
and calling their attention in an en-
PERTAINING way to the beauty and
Significance of the words composing
the acrostic-namely, charity humil-
ity, righteousness, independence,
sincerity, truth, manliness, affection
and steadfastness. Then came the
distribution of books to 70 or more
children for constant attendance at
morning worship during the year.
Following this the superintendent,
Col. Franklin Fairbanks, gave a few
words of greeting to the school each
child in the school and audience
was presented with an orange and
package of candy, gift from the
Superintendent. The exercises closed
with the singing of Coronation" in
which all heartily joined.
At the Methodist Church.
The special observance at this
church was double one, including a
Sunday school concert on the Sun