Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-12-27
The Festival of the Nativity.
Christmas as Observed by the
Different Churches.
lad the Roman Catholic church.

At the Roman Catholic Church,
High Mass was held in the morning OF
Christmas day, and very beautiful music
was rendered by the choir, the solo by
Miss Carrie Haufier being especially fine.
An excellent sermon was delivered by Rev.
Father Therein on the example OF Christ's
life, and at 5 O'Clock in the evening came
the Benediction and Evening Prayer. The
church was tastefully decorated with ev
ergreen and few roses.
At st. Johns Church.
Holy Communion was celebrated at
10 80 O'Clock Christmas morning and in the
evening there was a service and tree for
the children. The service opened with
professional ana singing of "Onward,
Christian Soldiers" by the children and
choir. The class of little ones recited in
concert the Scripture lesson Luke ii. 8 Il.
After the singing OF "Gather around the
Christmas Tree" the gifts were distribut-
ed from the handsome tree. Farewell to
Thee, o Christmas Tree" was then sung,
and the pleasant service closed with few
collects and the benediction. The decora-
tions were OF ground pine. tie chancel
arch being gracefully festooned with
wreath, and in each OF the windows was
hung a small hoop wound with the pine.
The church looked very pretty in its dain-
ty trimmings and will remain in its Christ
mas dress until the beginning of the Len
ten season.
At the Baptist Church.
The decorations were decidedly tasteful
and pretty. Across the pulpit arch was
stretched in two lines the motto, "Glory
to God in the highest and on earth peace,
goodwill toward men, The letters were
in green, and above the motto appeared
the "star of the east" Between the chap
ell and the auditorium were the words,
"Merry Christmas" and at the back and
sides OF the church were festoons OF ever
green. The exercises consisted OF appro-
pirate music and recitations, and the chill
dren deserve great credit for the way in
which they rendered the parts assigned
them. The feature of the evening, besides
the tree, was the story of GRANDMOTHER
Gray's Wooing," read by Mrs. Clara Rog
ers and illustrated by living pictures. At
the close OF the ex ercises, there was an adj
journment to the chapel, where a we'll.
laden tree greeted the eyes of the delighted |
children, who shared impartially in the
distribution of its gifts. The pastor and
his wife, Rev. and Mrs. Seward Robson, re- |
ceived from their parishioners here a
handsome silver tea service and salad |
bowl, and from the people Of the Branch |
church present OF quite little sum OF
money.
At the Methodist Church.
A Santa Claus house took the place OF |
tree, the good saint employing to build
his dwelling such master carpenters as
Messrs. George Wood and A. n. Hayes.
The posts OF the house were wound with /
evergreen. and the roof was covered with
snow. Within, a large brick fireplace
could be seen, having over it mantel, on
which stood a row of lighted candles.
Mrs. Santa Claus, in cap and kerchief was
also visible within, moving softly about
on household cares intent The Sunday
Tod har fat,. flxr ..fN
children, in each of whom she seemed to
take a truly maternal interest, and they
must have filled her heart with proud de-
light by rendering so acceptably the reci
tatioDs and songs that composed the in
teresting program. As the exercises drew
to close, the sound OF sleigh bells smote
upon the air and rustic OF pleased ex
element became noticeable among the
smaller childIen. All at once, out OF the
generous fireplace emerged the longed for
Santa Claus with his sack of toys, which
he straightway began, with the aid OF his
chosen lieutenants, to distribute right and
left. One young lady OF two or three, who
evidently entertained no doubts of his
endeavored to attract his atten.
ton by very cordially uttered greeting,
and all of the little ones seemed to con.
slider his advent the one thing needed to
comp cts their great content. Mr.and Mrs.
Nj %. Hubbard personated Santa Claus and
VIE anu, w tUltFiuR 50 utdTtliN lnlO the
spirit of their respective roles, they added
greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion.
At the Congregational Church.
There was a large gathering in the YES
tries and Christmas Eve passed very pleas
antly. The children of the Sunday school
presented the Christmas cantata, "Santa
Claus on Time" consisting of Rotations,
solos and choruses, with the appearance of
five little fairies in white from Santaville
to announce and make ready the coming
of their grandpa, Santa Claus. All the
girls were wondering on Christmas Eve
who Santa really was, and so their teach
er, Miss Sparhawk, told them in a very
pretty song all about him, where be came
from and why he was called by such Gu
rious name. While they were waiting
for his arrival and wondering il he would
really come, the boys, who had previously
planned to fool the girls, rushed in with
bogus Santa Claus, shouting, "Santa Claus
is comingl" He was telling his sad exper
fence in coming to them and how he "got
all mixed up" when the real Santa Claus
entered not moment behind, and Tom
was forgiven for making believe that he