Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-26
CHRISTMAS CHEER.
The Merry Festival and ito OBJ
servances in the City.
THE WEATHER OUT no FIGURE

WSu.
While the elements were not in
harmony with that which custom
and tradition have associated with
Christmas. it was celebrated in Rock
Island with becoming sacredness.
and not without the peculiar happi.
ness. peace and good will among
men that docs and should prevail at
that time. The weather was not IA.
vorablc to the speedy progress Of
Santa Claus reindeer on Christmas
eve. but the jolly little ideal. who
never fails. made his rounds never
theless. and the awakening Joys Of
childhood on Christmas morning
were not dampcned by the copious
April down pour Of the night before
Christmas. as many a confiding little
one feared they would he.
sacred Observance.
Many of the churches of the CITY
held their Christmas observances in
connection with the usual SUNDAY
services. and in every instance these
were OF an impressive and appropriate
nature. the Broadway Presbyterian
choir presenting delightful program
OF Christmas music. while Mt the
Central. First NJ. f First Baptist
and United Presbyterian. the greatest
festival of Christendom was duly
celebrated. At the First Baptist
Rev. N. &. Dewitt, of Fresno, Cal,
preached an able discourse, rs did
Rev. G. l.. Mann, of Birmingham,
Ala. at the First NJ. F..
At Trinity midnight mass was cell
cbratcd by Rev. X. +. Sweet. assisted
by Rev. Mercer. of Gcneseo.
Christmas morning the services
consisted Of mathis and cele-
bration Of the Lords supper.
The church was beautifully decor
atcd with evergreen and holly.
At st. Joseph's church masses were
celebrated at 5 O'Clock and 8 o'clock,
and 1880 o'clock in the morning.
The church was handsomely decor
ated.
At the Christian a young peoples
sunrise PRAYER meeting was held at
o'clock yesterday morning. under
the auspices of the Y. r. S. C..
In the sunday school.
The annual Christmas festival of
Trinity parish was held at the
church last evening. There was n
beautiful Christmas tree laden with
gifts for the children of the school.
The service. which was conducted
by the rector. Rev. X. +. Sweet. was
responsive in its nature. and in
cludcd n short address by Mr.. Sweet
The exercises of the First Metho-
dist Sunday school were held on
Saturday evening. and brought out
about 400 people. the church being
filed. The exercises were given by
the different classes, and were highl,
interesting. the Angel Chorus"
given by Miss Battles class. was cx-
ccedingly well rendered. The Aum-
Der by Miss Henderson's class was
very interesting. indeed. the particle
pants being costumcd. and rendering
several dialogues and marches in a
manner complimentary to their
teachers efforts. The last number
was given by the Boys Brigade, and
proved surprise to all. especially
to the pastor, Rev. F. W. Mcrrell.
Capt. John McConochie. in behalf Of
the brigade, presenting the pastor
with superb upholstered easy chair.
Mr.. Merrcll. although surprised
greatly. in neat speech thanked the
boys for their kind rcmemb rance.
After the distribution of presents the
little folks went home in happy an
ticipation Of the morrow.
The exercises at the First Baptist
church Saturday evening. were equal
" interesting and well rendered. A
cantation of ..Santa Claus Delight"
was given in a most agreeable man.
ncr BY the children. The choruses,
dialogues in songs. short recitations
and a cOnfab between three grum-
blcrs, may be mentioned among the
l2 little girls vas superb, and
mirtb knew no bounds when the lit
tic folks appeared as the brownies ~
Of Palmer Cox fame, and executed
some Of their funny antics. After
the exercises, Santa Claus appeared
and presented each of the children
with n present.
The Sunday schools Of the Central
Presbyterian. United Presbyterian,
Trinity Mission and South Park chap
el will hold their Christmas exercises
tonight.
Homo Observnnces.
There were quite number OF fam
ily reunions and other social gather
ings. Christmas trees, etc., rs well ms
many quiet family celebrations.
Above all, Christmas, like Thanks
giving. is essentially home day. and
Rock Island yesterday again demon
strated this fact.
The Lecture Assoelatson.
The Rock Island Lecture associa-
ton furnished MS its Christmas en-
tcrtainment TO its patrons and fricnds
ut HarPcr's theatre last eycning-and
was rewarded by one of the largest