Connecticut western news., 1894-12-27
Christmas in the Churches.

The Christmas exercises at the Pill grim church took place Monday eve niug, and were we'll attended. The ex- ercises consisted of Christmas carol service entitled .The Child Wonderful. " Tn which, however, much to the regret of every one, the recitations by the chil- dren were omitted. Rev O D. Milliken made short address to the children. After the exercises all retired to the church parlors and waited for Santa Claus to appear. But the ideal or typical Santa Claus did not ppear. After awhile amasked figure appeared and distributed presents. The figure did not resemble Santa Claus in the least, for the "make up" was sharp-faced mask surmount- ed by tall red turban with tassel The figure was clad in long red cloak, and shaggy leggins made of goat skin. Probably on the spur of the moment | this figure was substituted for the Santa Claus which failed to appear although previously engaged by the committee. It is but justice to the committee to state that they dlsclaim all knowledge of the substituted Santa Claus.
 At St. Joseph's church Mass was eel. ], ebrated at 30 a. m. on Christmas day. | This early hour was necessary to enable Rev Fr. Ramon to officiate at the three churches under his charge. The altar and church were tastefully decorated with wreaths and festoons of hemlock and laurel. A choir of children sang Christmas music very prettily during the celebration. There were large number of communicants. The pastor preached short sermon on the Christ mas festival. Oranges and candy were distributed to the Sunday school child. | ren - A large audience attended the exer. cises at the Methodist Episcopal church on Tuesday evening. The choir sang g mum Der of appropriate selections Rev B Seeholzer sang solo entitled ''The Peacemaker," and later on he delivered an address to the children. There were also responsive readings; and a very pleasing feature was the recitations by the children, individually and in classes. At the close of the exercises the tall and shapely Christmas tree yielded it's fruit for the little folks. Superintendent G. Willis Parsons, conducted the exercises, and he made happy remarks while hand ing out the presents.
 The children's carol service and Christmas tree at Christ church was held Wednesday evening and was large ly attended. Rev F. W. Barnett ad- dressed the children in his characteris- tic. happy and instructive manner. Tue tree was very pretty and fruitful one, and gave delight to all. Everyone loves to hear the children sing, and the child ren's carol service in this church is an nually pleasing event. -.-.s
 It is perfectly proper. although hard ly necessary, to state that all the church. es in town were tastefully decorated l with ever2reens. We often wonder if people who do not assist in such work ever realize that it is great undertak- ing to procure supply of evergreen decorations aud tastefully arrange them and that in most, if not all cases, it is a a labor of love.
 The pastors were not forgotten in the distribution of gifts. We are informed that Rev F. W. Barnett was presented with revolving study chair; Rev B. Seeholzer with rocking Chair; Rev c. D. Milliken with a book of travels in Holland. and with some other gifts.