Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-01-09
sTRAsBURG NEWS.

| NO HOlluay ecaSOn ia tHio paw f'-S
off quietly, as is the natural sequence III
all well-regulated and Iaw-abidiDg towns,
such as Strasburg. Much the usual p'o-
gram was observed as IN by-gone years.
Returned absent ones gathered again
around the family hearthstone, and amid
the good cheer that prevailed, a retro
spective view of the checkcred old year,
with its joys and sorrows, its sunshine
and shadows, was INDUCED in, and a
looking forward into the dim vista of the
new year with its alternate hopes and
fears. Thus the glorious yule-tide sea-
son passed. Not unmindful, however
with many tears for the dear departed
ones, around whose last resting place the
winds of winter are singing the requIems
of the dead, while the Star of Faith points
to that glorious country far beyond eur
mortal vision, and whispers, "Not lost,
but gone before"
Matchmaking services in the Metho'
dist church were held on the night OF
December 31st, Rev. J. s. Hopkins, the
pastor, presiding. A protracted meeting
has been held in the same church since
that time, and IS still in progress Much
interest is manifested and the congrega'
tions are large.
The Strasburg Graded School rcsu med
business again on Monday last with a
large attendance of pupils in all of the
departments. Not that the scholars were
tired of holiday, by no means it was on
the bills and had to be done.
The Shenandoah Lime Works, Mr.. Geo
W. Decker, proprietor, commenced work
again on Tuesday with full force Of
operatives.
The splendid series of dramatic en-
tertainments during holiday week, II
Academy Hall, by the Red Men and
Good Templar lodges, scores success fol
this excellent troupe of "thespians," nm
der the efficient tutorage of the manager
E. S. Keister. The plays were good
we'll performed, and the order first class
The receipts, about $4,000. Come again
friends, full houses will await you.
The clatter of the ice wagons, and the
clatter of the real estate agents, together
with the shrek of the steam pottery
whistle, reminds us Of the din of Broad
way, N. Y, or the jargOn OF "Babel."
Time and space forbids anything like
1.-THE of the names of persons visiting here
during the holidays. The homes OF oui
hospitable citizens were simply filled by
guests m all sections of the country
the yule-iog blazed brightly upon every
hearth and the good cheer dispensed wal
simply phenomenal Oar folks, like theii
ancestors, have a habit of leaving the
latch string on the outside of their doors
The mince-pie carnival IS now at 1T
zenitb b, and many are the curses, boil
loud and deep, that are lifted from thu
heads Of the mountain distillers as thu
good wife waits the breath of her spouse
and attributes it to the juicy and festive
min epic.
The Christmas services in the churches
during holiday week did not fall behind
their predecessors of former years in pOin
of beauty and in the interest manifested
by both Young and old. All were in ex
cellent taste, and the displays at the Bap
tlst and Methodist churches were slmpl!
grand; the latter exceptionally so. Tn
Lutberans had no tree, but in lieu thereof
presented on Sunday night after Christ
mas a handsome and valuable library t.
the Sunday-school.
The Baptist church, Rev. Mr.. Hamaker
pastor, on Christmas eve held appropriat
and b eautifnl services. Instead OF tree
ladder was substituted, which wa
finely trim med and prolusely hung wit
beautiful and useful presents for th
scholars. The chancel was trimmed wit
evergreens, and all the arrangement
were in keeping with the anniversary o
the glorious celebration of this beautiful
/ Christmas custom.
And last. but by no means the least
} was the Methodist's annual Christina
tree celebration on Christmas night, Rev
]. S. Hopkins in charge. And just her
it might seem inyidious to particulariz
where all the churches did so well, bu
this opportunity should not pass witbou
bestowing that generous need ofpraise O
the elaborate program, so ably arrange
: and carried out to so successful con
summation, that the general verdic
was-"It excells everything of the kin
ever before attempted in this place"
is due to the pastor, Rev. Hopkins, to sa,
that the unique and handsome decora
tons, the original and superb groupin
and blending of the trimmings, and tn
exquisite taste displayed in the whol
arrangement of the chancel, and til
background, where appeared the Star
the East, with Its gorgeous and Skinner
ling scintillations and the happily COZ
ceived motto-"We have seen His Star
the East and have come to worship Him.
All bespoke a master hand, and the larg
audience present was not slow to du
Mr.. Hopkins as the prince of Christina
tree designers and decorators.
The singing also was grand and Gillette
much applause. All went "merry as
marriage bell, and after tho benedictio
the large crowd dispersed to their home
Excursion to the National Capital.