Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-12-30

Lizzie ost 10 Mr. J0nn Gross, or
North Mountain.
CHRISTMAS ExERcIsEs.-The
churches Of our city this year held
unusually bright and interesting ex-
ercises than have ever been held.
At the Lutheran Church the dec
orations we're beautiful. An elevat-
ed platform of white rings were cree
ted over the altar and the dome
above was studded with stars on in {.
visible wire that makes skylike APP
pearanee. while the other decorations
increased the novelty of the display.
In addition to the regular program
of music by the various departments
of the school, Miss May Edwards,
Miss Milly Herring, Miss Elizs Stall
maker and Master Nelson O'Neal,
each gave rccitations, solo by Miss
Clara Wolfes, a doll song. by six
little girls, Xmas sixpence song, by
five boys, all receiving deserved APP
plause. The collection taken up was
for the benefit OF the poor of this
city.
At the First M. f. Church there
was treat in the musical and reci-
tation line, but not treat Of candy.
The entertainment was treat enough
in itself. 1t was held on Tuesday
evening The Sunday-school decid
ed not to distribute the usual candy
ETC., as formerly was done but wisely
reserved their fund collected to de-
vote to charitable purposes. The
exercises were well conducted, each
participant doing his or her part
well, and all who attended were high.
ly plea ed.
Trinity NJ. E. Church South held
their exercises on Monday evening
and the recitations of the little folks
especially that and the singing OF
the little child of Mr.. G. K. Strib-
lirg was highly enjoyable No tree
was erected in the church but the
members of The school were lib; rally
provided with Christmas candy and
fruit The music was conducted by
Mr., r. f. Barr, the superintendent
of the school and formed a CHIEF
part of the evenings pleasure.
At the Episcopal Church regular
festival services were held at IL m
on Christmas day. The music was
in excellent taste and performed
with great satisfaction to both per,
formers and audience. The other
exercises besides the music were in.
structive and appropriate to the ma
tai day. The children of the Sun
day school were treated in the usual
manner, and the church decorations
were more elaborate than ever.
The children exercises at the Re.
formed Church on Christmas morn.
ing were chiefly responsive in char.
acter together with the reading Of
appropriate scsiptural selections by
the pastor, Rev. j. A. Holfheins
The music by the choir, assisted by
Messrs. VIM. and Adolph Kogle.
schatz, Danl L. Henry, W. E.
Hoff helms, and the members who
play regularly therein was excellent
in character and was highly enjoyed
by the large audience which crowded
the church. In the evening at six
o'clock the children's exercises were
held and boxes of candy and oranges
were distributed to their great de-
light.
At the Catholic Church besides
the regular morning service at 10 a.
u. special service at 5 O'Clock a. m.
was held. The music by the choir
of twenty voices was beautiful and
the solos by various members were
delightful. Bordesis Mass in F. was
sung, in which Miss Nettie Meadows
and Miss Martina Lii tile had solos
In the selection from Melvil's
"Christmas natsn est" Miss Belle
Martin and Mr.. Oscar Sprinkle sang
duett as an offertory. The remarks
of Rev. Father McKeefry were es
pecially remarkable in setting forth
the simplicity Of the birth of the
Saviour, and his exhortations there
in was most impressive.
The Sunday school of the First
Baptist Church held its Christmas
entertainment Tuesday evening. A
beautifully dressed Chris tmas tree
from which were distributed boxes
of candy and oranges delighted the
little ones. The church was elabor-
ately and tastefully decorated with
eyergreens, and the music was very
fine. Interesting addresses were
delivered by Mr.. Rhodes Hundley
and Mr.Folk, visiting friend ofhis.
Altogether it was a most pleasing
entertainment.
The Sunday-school exercises of the
Presbyterian Church were held on
last Thursday evening and very
interesting exercise it was, good
cheer, kindly and social feeling per-
vaded the gathering, which was a
large one. The exercises were OPP
ened with prayer by Rev. E. D.
Washburn, followed by reading of
Scriptures by Mr.. Jas. Stribling the
superintendent of the school. The
singing under the leadership Of Mr..
Melchoir was creditable to both him
and the young songsters, evidencing
great work on the part of Mr.. Mel
choir and jealous effort on the part
of the children. The address of DR..
Alexander entranced the young
children and attracted the older peo-
pie. The tree was handsomely dec
GRATED and upon the order of Rev.
Dr.Woods the mostarpreciable thing
to the children, was the distribution
of the cornucopias and bags of candy
fruit, etc, of which there was an
abundance. This was followed by
the sweet hymn, "Give Me Thy
Heart" ana prayer by DR.. Woods
ending with the benediction. 1t
was pleasant thing to witness such
q large gathering OF middle aged and
older people, attending and enjoying
the Sundav-sch0oi festival.