The Portland daily press., 1894-12-26
CHRISTMAS.
One of the Mildest Known for Many
Years.

soon d1CeF IDluulBuL } yesterday gave piooo
late to pouring showers, and when the sun
struggled out of the clouds Chr isfma
morning his rays fell on we'll washed streets
and sidewalks. from which all the ice had
not entirely departed, making them some
what slippery. From five degrees tive nty-
four hours previous the mercury had as
cended TO thirty degrees, and at noon in
Dictated forty six Degrees making so mild
Christmas that heavy overcoats were Dur
densome. From ea1ly mass to vespers the
churches of the Immaculate Conception
and st. Dominic's were crowded with Wor-
shippers. The music WAS very fine and the
shrines of the Virgin were ablaze With
lights. At the Episcopal churches of st.
Luke, st. Stephen and st. Paul, the music
was admirably rendsr and there was
good attendance At st. Paurs, the chill
dren's festival in the afternoon was much
enjoyed. All these churches were finely
dressed in evergreen. AT State street
cuhrch, the programme of music, published
in the PRESS was special feature, and
DIR. jenkins preached an admirable dis
course ON the lessons Of the festival.
At the hotels, the Falmouth, Preble.
United States, Columbia and at the Sher-
wood. there were bountiful and sumptuos
Christmas dinners served to the guests of
the several houses. At the Sherwood the
Christmas decorations which had been in
preparation for a long time were very ar
tistic and elaborate. Mr.. Pooler, the pro-
prietor. was the recipient OF pair of beau-
tiful silver candelabra as a Christn as gift,
and Mrs. Rich, the houskeeper, very
handsome parlor lamp and shade.
The inmates of the Almshouse were pro-
vided by the superintendent with a good
and substantial dinner of roast sparerib of
pork with the accompanying fixings.
At noon about $50 Knights Templar gath
cred at the armory on Exchange street and
drank to the health of Most Eminent Grand
Commander, Hugh McCurdy.
The change in the weather made consid-
cradle difference in tho condition of the
pond at the Oaks for skating. but the skat-
ing was fair and many enjoyed it. Commits
sioner Smith says the good effect of the rain
will show in the splendid condition of the
pond IL ii comes off quite cold. A number
enjoyed the skating on the Stroud water
river.
The rooms of the Young Women's Chris
tian Association near Congress square, were
bright with light last evening, and very
pleasant entertainment was given to the
great enjoyment of thesyoung women who
gathered to spend Christmas night.
There was veyr pleasant children's par
ty at the residence of Mrs. Franks::Pierce,
No. II Park place. last evening. Chester
Pierce and Elsie Foss did the honors, and
proved very graceful hosts.
ATTHE GOSPEL MISSION.
The annual festival of Christmas trees
was looked forward to with hopeful antici-
patton by the attendants of the Mission
this v ear. 1t was feared by many that the
depression of business, and the death of
some of the strong supporters heretofore.
would be seriouslysfelt this season. For
many weeks willing hands. backed by kind
and thoughtful hearts have been quietly
laboring for the event that is destined to
carry to many young lives the only happy
hours they experience during the year.
coming as they do from neglected homes,
many of them without a ray of human SUM-
shine for the Year. Two large trees were
erected at the platform, and an interested
committee of fifteen persons were busily en-
gagged all day in dressing the trees. and Ia
dening them with useful and ornamental ar
ticles. consisting in part OF wearing appar.
household goods. toys for the children. con-
fectionery. etc. At o'clock. p. m. the la
borious work was tnished.and at 7.45
O'clock, "All Hail the Power of Jesus
Name was sung by the great audience as
sembled, after which Rev. s. E. Pearson Of
fered a fervent prayer of Thanksgiving and
praise for all the blessings of the year. Mr..
Pearson had already arranged with the in
imitable don Hatch" to act as "Santa
Claus" At 8 O'Clock, the crack of the
whip, the ringing of sleigh bells, and glee-
full shouts of the anxious children told of
the coming of ''Old Santa, with long white
hair covering his shoulders. and beard fiow-
ing down over his breast. with a terrible red
nose, clothed in the garments of the Green
lander stood don HATCH" to make glad
the hearts of those who were to receive the
presents. With loving messages given in
the Dutch dialect many Of the smaller chill
dren were called to the altar to receive
their Christmas tokens. For more than two
hours the work of distribution went on, and
at the close none had been forgotten, but
all we're beautifully supplied. Mr.. Pearson
desires us to extend his heartfelt thanks to
the following named citizens for their help
and contributions: Mr.. Charles A. Hanson.
Solomon Shine, Owen. Moore & Co., j. r..
| Libby, Mrs. F. Fox. G. A. Cummings,
Friend. Toys. DR.. 7. A. Foster, Mrs. A. D..
| Sewall. Mrs. A. M. Snith,C. A. Haskell,
Fred Wiley Mrs. George Greene. P. Went
worth, j. NJ. Godding, Mrs. Oren Hooper,
Thomas Briggs. Mrs. James Hawkes. and to
the very efficient committee who manifest
ed such deep interest in the work.
AT THE MARINE HOSPITAL.
The sick sailors at the Marine hospital
were remembered Christmas by the Floating
society and Christian Endeaovr ana other
friends, who co-operated with Captain Flick
EFT in supplying fruit. jelly and other del
| icacies. Miss Abbie Leavitt, the Christian
Endeaverors of the Presbyterian church,
Messrs James Applebee, Charles II. Chase
| and others assisted.
FIRST FREE BAPTIST SUNDAY
SCHOOL.
the First Free Baptist Sunday school
| there was fine Christmas entertainment
last evening. This was the programme:
| Singing-Christmas is Here.
| Messrs. Bowdoin,.. Fl ullam. Mrs. Merryman,
80 --sMiss Aageson. s~.
| Scripture Reading, Supt. l.. NJ. Webb
| p,ayar Rev O. r. Cat q