Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-26
CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS.
A BEAUTIFUL cANTATA PRE-
SCENTED LAST NIGHT.
The scripturnI story of the Nativity
and an Account of the Coming of
Santa Claus beautifully blended.
Other Happy Christmas Events.

The Christmas entertainment given
last night at the First Presbyterian
church under the direction of Mrs. j.
c. Cummings was one OF the most sue
cessful. as 1t was one of the most
charming and elaborate affairs OF the
kind ever given In the city. The space
within the chancel rail was beautifully
decorated with eyergreens. holly and
mistletoe. while appropriate notices
adorned the walls The hymn. Joy to
the World, the Lord Is Come" was
sung by the congregation, after which
there was prayer by the pastor, fol-
lowed with an Introduction by the
church orchestra and a full chorus by
the Sunday school entitled 1.-THE Hap
piest Time" and this in turn was fol-
lowed by dialogue between the super
intendent and the school in regard to
the coming OF Santa Claus and
pretty song. "Ic VIII BE Here" by lit
tie Miss Il hel Wilkes. which made
appropriate Introduction to the cantata,
IS inta Claus Coming" which constl.
tuted the principal part OF the enter
tainment so far as the critical and APP
preciative audience was concerned. and
led the little ones along In bright an
tlcipatlon which was realized when n
sure enough Santa Claus made his APP
pearance on the stage In the course of
the play, and his departure was fol-
lowed by generous distribution of
good things.
The rich ornamentation Of the pull
pit corner was seen upon closer inspec-
tlon to he suggestive Of the beautiful
scripture story which was being I'M
folded before the wondering eyes Of the
children The wall at that point was
enwreathed In holly archlng over an
evergreen up to n point where the
decorations took the form In outline
Of star. Towards the front were
palms.
Now Santa Claus was forgotten for
moment as the room was darkened.
their eyes were drawn to the stage
upon which faint and mellow light
was falling, while strange figures rep
resentlng the shepherds OF the Bible
story rested there and hymn, 80. 81
lent Night" seemed TO 80 up Into heaV-
on. Then the light frightened and a
ray shot down from a silvery star,
which appeared IN the midst of the
evergreen star which had been wrought
in the wreath of holly. And, now.
In the tremulnnt light NJ the Syrian
moon appeared a beautiful Image OF
tie form of an angel with the mes
sage. Fear Not for Behold l Bring
Good ridinEs OF Great JOY to All Peo-
pie for Unto You Is Born this Day In
the City OF David Savior, Which is
Christ, the Lord"
Then the angel vanshes and a song,
"Son OF the Highest" Is heard, fol-
lowed by a recitation. 90, Beautiful
Star" AS the star disappears and the
lights are turned on again and IAN
ne ACT Il.
sang by the audience. Miss Florence
Blair represented the angel with such
exquisite effect that there did not
seom to be much deception.
Then the story OF the coming of
Santa Claus Is taken up ard car..e
through to its Joyous concluslon by
means of song ana hidlrEie. nnl pre-
sentlug at one Joint 4 'ery pretty AMI
interesting picture V he appearance
OF fairies to litui a.ail wha = fHst
nsleep and receives from their hrnds
q letter giving Notice OF hlg 0pprcnlh.
The entertainment cljsas, NJ Gps h'rn
stated with the actual and visible
coming OF Santa C.aus - real that the
illusion seemed to lake nossesSi)n %
the little ones who wsre in he rlny
In the distribution which followed all
were remembered. and Mrs Cummings
was presented with hr1utie'u lamp
as a testimonial from frien Is ana pupils
Of the Sunday 1ch)Si. 1t IN hr,rae
BANQUET lamp with shNia II silfcn
chiffon The bowl, wrought IN filagree
Is upheld by q silvel CI1id knaelng IN
the base, and 1t Is very handsome
present.
The parts Of lack Frost and Santa
Claus In tho play were rer-esented hv
Mr.. @, l.. Prescott, The following are
the names OF the children who took fbe
other leading parts IN the MAY: Mamie
NtfHaaF Vlssa.a
Logon Albert Mason. Lulu BlaIr phil
willing, Mamie naggett, Leila Askew
Sadie Lawson, Ollie May Tucker. who
sang Ike prlma donna. and tiny Res
sic Boulware. who was beautiful
queen OF the fairies.