Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-01-02
SALISBURY.
j. Cook.

Christmas was observed in the Congre-
gational church on Wednesday evening.
The exercises consisted of a Christmas
concert and tree by the Sabbath school.
Much credit is due the superintendent for
his arrangement of the exercises, which
consisted of class and single recitations,
speaking, singing, etc., as well as to the
young people who had the management
of the tree; also to the committee who
procured and so evenly proportional the
on all sides were notices appropriate to
the occasion. The front of the stage
was festOoned with evergreens. back of
which was large arch bearing the in
scriptiOn 1.-The Star of Bethlehem" with
star overhanging, and on either side of
the stage were two large trees well filed
with presents for the children. Space
and justice forbid any special mention of
the exercises, as the parts were all nicely
rendered. One, however, may be men
toned, IA recitation by Ernest Kelley was
announced; subject, "What Christmas
Means. He came to the front and said
it meant present to our superintendent,
at the same time handing him Bible
Dictionary. The color on his face and
the manner of expression proved beyond
doubt it to be complete surprise to him.
The singing by the choir, children, two
glee clubs and trio of young ladies was
fine. On the whole it was a very pleasant
and satisfactory affair. The Sunday
school, under the present management of
Morris A. Thomas as superintendent, is
in a fourishing condition and scholars
and teachers manifest deep interest in
the Sunday school work. A mission class
of some - or 20 has been added to the
school from the plains district through
the efforts of the superintendent, who has
had Sunday school at their school house
every Sunday afternoon during the sum-
mer and fall. They participated in the
exercises and shared the presents.
Bertie16- Mead, only son of Mr. and
Mss:~O. p. Mead of Salisbury, passed
Dec. %. He was born in Middlebury on
the 9TH of July, 1872. When only two
years Of age he became member of the
NJ. +. Sunday school and was very much
interested in the study of the Bible. At
the age of seven years, his parents then
living in Salisbury, in a series of meet
ings conducted by Rev. Harvey Vande-
car, he gave his heart without any reserve
to the Lord Jesus Christ and joined
the church. At once he seemed filled
with Joy and sunshine. 1t was genuine
conversion, that filled his soul with
rapturOus delight. He could say that
"Jesus all the day long is my joy and
song" About one year after his CONVEX
sion he was taken sick with diphtheria in
a severe form, and for some days it was
thought that he could not recover. But
after days of suffering and pain he began
to walk the green earth again, but not
to behold its beautiful fields and flowers.
The fearful disease had destroyed his eye
sight and for ten years he has walked in
the dark as far as beholding any of the
beautiful sights of this world. All these
years have been years of suffering with
bodily pains. But he always felt that he
had rather walk in the dark with his dear
Lord TO lead him than to walk in the
light alone. Not a murnur has ever
passed his lips because he could not see
the light of dav. His wonderful faith in
God the sunshine of his life, and his read
mess in testimony and prayer in the So
cial meetings of the church have been the