The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-27
THE GREAT JOY OF IT
The Religious and Holiday Observ-
ance of Christmas.
CHEER FOR RICH AND POOR
The Celebration of the Festival OF the
Nativity--The Sports and Pastimes
In the Homes, the Churches and the
state Institutions.

Christmas holiday passed off so quietly
that many hardly realized when it came
and when it left. Most people who are
accustomed TO rise early in the morning
lay abed unusually late that morning
planning how they should spend the day.
There were many things to choose from
The church entertainments, the polo
game at Infantry Hall and the inimitable
skating at Roger Williams Park all
called for their snare of patronage, and
all got it.
The polo game, after exercising its
usual rough and ready prerogatives, fin
ally resulted in a victory for the home
team. Inmates or the State institutions
enjoyed a half day OF Immunity from
their daily routine duties. Nearly
all places of business were closed aud
the throng of clerks and typewriters
soon adjusted themselves TO the various
desires of amusement for the day. At
the various churches ample preparations
had been made for celebrating the fes-
| tival.
| exercises were held in the vestry. A
| beautifully-lighted Christmas tree dis
| gorged a shower of presents for happy
| little. ones. Preceding it Christmas
| exercise, "On the Night the Lord was
| Born" was rendered by the Sunday
school, assisted by the pastor and super
| intendent.
At the Stewart Street Baptist Church
| there were two Christmas trees, loaded
| with gifts, beside fruits and confection-
cry A short program of recitations and
songs preceded.
| eel ,brated at 4 O'Clock in the afternoon.
Over 100 merry children Eecame the
happy recipients of gifts from a mon
strous tree.
The St. James Sunday school held it's
exercises in the body OF the church. The
program consisted of concert and the
pluckiug of an over-burdened Christmas
tree. The concert displayed in pleasing
form the childish voices OF the Sunday
school children. A store-load of candy
and fruits was distributed among the
children.
AT the state institution the holiday was
celebrated in due form. Numerous use
| ful presents had been sent during the
week to the different inmates aud these
were duly portioned out. An orchestra
was engaged to furnish music for the oc-
casion much to the amusement OF the in
mates At l2 o'clock dinner of pork
and vegetables was served and liberal
quantity of tobacco and pipes was dis
iributed At ) o'clock an oyster supper
was served.
In the female department Of the Houss
of Correction Miss Emma j. Gile, the
matrnn. had provided a suitably deco
rated sewing exhibition, anu handker.
chiefs, fruits and candy were distributed:
In the evening dancing was permitted
until $3.50.
At tie Insane Asylum an unusual cell
ebration was made. A handsome turkey
dinner was provided for the poor inmates.
This evening an entertainment Will De
given at Assembly Hall and on Wednes-
day the program will lie repeated at the
chapel Of the House OF Correction.
The boys of the Sockanosset School
celebrated in great form aud were the
recipients of numerous presents from
friends and relatives. An elaborate din
ner was served at IL O'Clock and in the
evening Santa Clause made his accus-
toned appearance.
At the Oaklawn school for giris n good
dinner and n musical and literary en-
tertainment were the features.
At the State Home 120 little children
were made glorously happy by Christ.
mas literary and musical program fol
lowed by addresses, exaltations OF Santa
Claus aud n visitation OF Brownies.
Thirty-eight inmates Of the Home FOL
Aged Women were made happy by a
bounteous dinner and pretty decorations
The Old Mems Home celebrated in .
similar manner. Ihe Cniidreh Moni'
and the Colored Shelter also httipgly
observed the day.
The Germania Club celebrated the DAY
MT Music Hall with music and Christ
mas tree, with poem by Mr.. Muelie
aud AN address by the Rev. Dr. stang
rector of the Cathedral
Roger Williams Baptists observed theii
annual Sunday school festivities OF
Christmas eve with brilliantly lighted
trees. laden with confectionery. fruits ant
| Christmas gifts. A concert given by th'
the children was followed by distribu
, ton Of gifts.
Thousands Of young people fvok al
vantage of the glorious skating at tn'
} park yesterday and many older peopI
enjoyed the exhilerating sport. fron
! early morning until late at night th
lakes we're crowded with a continually
changing throng OF skaters darting hithe
! and thither over the frozen surface.
The efforts Of Supt. Hathaway aud nj
host OF helpers were directed toward
keeping the lakes smooth and free fron
debris, and the huge planer was con
tinuslly run over the ice In all directions