Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-23
CHRISTMAS TIDE.
The Happiest Festival Of All
the Year.
THE LOCAL oBsERvANcEs OF IT


THE LOCAL OBSERVANOES OF IT
The Public schools Have Suitable Exer-
csses Sunday school CcIebratIons-The
nay and what should be Iss Appropriate
Desss-A Merry One to An.
Christmas is Christmas. Please
bear that in mind. There is no 9TH
or holiday like it in the Christian
world. 1t is season of nnirth, of
good will. of temperate rejoicing.
Don't mar the pleasures of the little
ones. Don't tell them there is no
such myth as Santa Claus. Remcm-
Der when you were babe yourself,
and believed in Santa Claus. Decor
ate your Christmas tree. make your
own home happy. and then. as far as
in You lies. make home happy for
some one else.
Christmas should be a day of uni
versal gladness among us all. The
meeting of long parted friends and
the gathering together of the family
ut the festive board should be made
an occasion of the renewal of friend
ships and affection. which, after all,
make up all that is best in life. Not
one among us will not welcome its
presence. and let us hope that not
one of us will but regret its depart
ure. And so in wishing not profunc-
torily. but with cordial heartbeat
back of the words "a merry Christ
mas to all;" in fervently whispering
that sweet beatitude of Tiny Tim,
ICED bless us every one." let us sug-
gest that on Monday our people will
see to it that no stomach is hungry
or no hearth stone cold for want OF
fuel, that the check of every poor
child he dried with the unwOnted
smiles which shall broaden and glow
their sad faces. as they recognize that
Christmas does not forget them.
Christmas Ob~ervances.
In all the public school buildings
yesterday. exercises appropriate to
Christmas were conducted, and there
were an unusually large number OF
visitors in all the buildings. The
exercises were in many instances
unique and interesting, as well as in.
structive, and fitting termination
OF the school term prior to the holi.
day vacation.
In the sunday Schools.
The Sunday school at Sears had
its annual Christmas festival las,
evening. The school which has in.
creased steadily in membership un.
der the SUPPLEMENTARY ef j. F.
Mead until it now numbers "a chill.
dren, had its exercises in the room
on the second floor of the public
school building, where an appropri.
ate program was carried out, includ'
ing songs and rccitations, etc, and
ut suitable time MIR. Fisher ap
pearcd. in the. character of SAINT.
Claus. and brought JOY to the hearts
of the little folks.
The Christmas exercises of the
Broadway church Sunday school
were held last evening in the assem-
bly, room of the church. After m
entertaining program of songs. reci-
tations, ETC., had been presented
there was scripture reading by Mis-,
Blanche Cleland and a recitation
1.-The Night Before Christmas" b,
Miss Bessie Lee. Ice cream. cake
and candy were served to the schol
ars.
The Sunday schools of the First NJ
+. and First Baptist churches will
hold their Christmas exercises thi.
evening.
The annual parish festival of Trim
ity Sunday school will be held at tn,
church Monday evening.
The Sunday schools of the Contra
Presbyterian and the United Presbv
terrain churches will have their exer
cises Tuesday night.
The Christian Sunday school vii
have its Christmas tree about thu
middle of next week.
The Trinity and South Park chapel
have their exercises next Tuesda,
evening.
| At the POst0fice.
The clerks at the postofiice hav,
been kept on the jump this week il
order to handle the extra bushes
incident to the holidays. The har'
times seem to have had little effec
on the local postal business. which
is even heavier than usual. For tn
accommodation of the public tn
postoflice will be open until i
O'Clock tonight for the sale of stamp
and reception Of packages by lat
purchasers. The carriers will max
one delivery Christmas morning. ant
the Office will remain open until 10 a
III.
| In . business Way.
All public Offices. county and city
and the banks will suspend Mon
day, rs on all holidays. Man
of our business houses vii