The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-26
CHRISTMAS At MONTPELIER

The Day Generally Observed The Advent
of the Worlds Redeemer Celebrated
with Sermon, Song and Christ,uas rrses
The Poor and Heavy Laden Made
Happy by the Spirit of Charity.
Although the much. wis he dior good sleis IL
ing did not materiaize at Christmas time
this year, the infectious spirit OF Yule-
tide was abroad, and the day was very gen.
orally observed at Montpelier. On Sunday,
and on Christmas day, the glad tidings of
peace on earth a ld good will toward men
were told in eloquent discourse ,and stately
music and also from the lips of the little
ones, while numerous Christ mas trees glad
deued the hearts of old and young. Through
the generosity of the MEMBERS of Mt. Sinai
Temp e, and by private charities, not few
destitute families in the community had
cause to bless the day a Savior was born.
AT all the churches on Sunday morning
services appropriate to the season were
held, brief account of which follows:
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev G o. Webster, the pastor, preached
a sermon well calculated to inspire in the
tn )ughts of his hearers right thoughts for
the day. He took three texts. First.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable
gift" We are told that God so owed this
world that he gave his only begotten Son
that vhosoever leveth on him shall lot
perish, but have everlasting life Other
gifts grow old, lose their significance and
turies past the matchless worth of this gift
has not been explored, nor will it be till the
end of time. Gods attitude toward us is
ever one of willingness TO bestow gifts, still
it would seem that row, at Christmas time,
when the worlds thought is directed to this
fact, that il is especially true. Second
text, "Good will toward men" Christmas
is not only the time for securing Gods gift,
and the gifts of earthly friends, hut IL is
time for universal good will. Only as we,
l nv n a a " an "
some other expression of love and sympa-
thy, make some heart happier, some life
brighter, are we in harmony with the
Christmas spirit Third ext, They pre-.
sented TO him gifts, gold, fr nkincense and
myrrh." Christmas is time not only for
receiving from God, but also for, in a spe-
cial manner, giving to God. The wise men
fron the East W 10 had seen the star and
been led by it to le place where tbs infant
Christ lay, presented gifts of gold franklin
cense and myrrh. These represented the
very best that land afforded. Surely by
this we are taught that we should give the
best we have TO God,-not the odds and
ends of life, not spare moments and wasted
powers, but the best OF all we have. On
Tuesday evening a Christmas concert VAS
held in the vestry. There were recita,ions
aud SON IS by the children, aud bountiful
supply of p esents We're distributed from a
cabin and Christmas tree.
BETHANY CHURCH.
Rev, DR.. Norman Seaver preached, Sum
day morning, the first of a series of sermons
on the life of Christ. The Savior as the
Babe If Bethlehem was his theme which
was treated in an original and interesting
manner, Sunday evening concert by the
Sunday-school was given. w A. Briggs,
the organist, was assisted by Miss Eva
Clark, violinist, and Master Louis Brooks,
tiutist. Following is the programme; Organ
voluntary; anthem, choir; singing, This
Happy Day." school; scripture realing,
superintendent prayer, Rev, Norman
Seaver, DID; response, school; recita ions,
80, W, Love the Merry Christmas ;" sing
ing, - The Angels Song" chorus with trio;
recitations, Christmas Everywhe q -;
recitations, christmas Morni g.; cho
song, Hark the Music" school; the shield
bearers; staging, " Do You Know. the
Song?" school; recitations, " Three Christ
mas Chimes -; singing, " Radiant as the
Ligh'," school; ecitirions, " In he Fields
with Their Flocks -; singing, o Glorious
Time" school; dialogue, p" Herod and the
Three Kings -; recitation, The Christ
Childs Reward" Miss Lucy Hutclins;
singing, Ye Morning Stars" school; ad-
dress, Rev. Norman Seaver, ID d.; sngi lg,
Coronation" congregation and school
On Tuesday evening" the usual Christmas
trees in the chapel made glad the hearts of
the children.
CHRIST CHURCH.
The interior OF this pretty edifce bore
evidence OF Christmas time In the wreaths
icnNrINuRD ON pouRru