Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-25
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ]! The Day Promises to Be an Enjoy
 able One. HOW IT WAS USHERED IN And the Many Places Where Little Ones Were Made
 Happy Last Night.

The AGE- HERALD greets all of it's readers this morning with wishes of a merry Christmas ard many happy returns of the day. t
 The day will no doubt be spsnt joyously and happily by all, and will be given to friendly greetings aud the enjoyment Of making others happy.
 Yesterday was the busiest day in Bir- iningham for long, long time, and the sidewalks and business houses were packed and jammed with busy people making pur- chases of presents for loved ones aud friends.
 The afternoon and evening was devoted by many 10 Christmas trees, and it did one's heart good to See the little folks joy ous and bright in fond expectation, aud when their names were called the out stretched hands were a sight to see.
 Nor were the poor of the city forgotten. There were many who had formed the beautiful resolution of making others' hearts glad and they did it..
 Following are the several places where gifts were distributed:
 AT POWELL SCHOOL.
 Many a little fellow was made happy at the Powell school yesterday by the dislribu- tion of presents.
 For several days Miss Cahalan, the principal has been collecting dolls, toys and other trinkets and arranging them in one Of the rooms at the Powell school building, there to be distributed among the poor of that district. Almost every little scholar took some hing and added 1t to the colleclion and when the door was opened yesterday morning at clock aud the nn- fortunate little ones were admittel their hearts were made glad with the sight that greeted their eyes. Something was there Tor every one and each was told to select his or her present..
 Miss Cahalan had charge of the bazaar and saw that no one failed to get soms- thing.
 That the little boys and girls appreciated the kind remembrances was easily seen by the happy smiles that spread over their faces as they picked up their bundles and walked away.
 Many of them had never before expe- rieuced the pleasure of receiving toys as Christmas presents, 1t having heretofore almost invariably been the custom among the charitably inclined people when con tributiDg to the poor to give only such ar ticles as could be either eaten or worn. It was happy departure, and the little toys, though worthless from a point of utility, caused those little fellows more genuine pleasure than would ten times their value Tn articles of food or clothing.
 AT ST. MARY's.
 The Christmas tree given the Sunday school scholars of St. Mary's last night was q joyous occasion to the bright faced little ones. The vested choir rendered suitable selection and Rector Fllzsimons made an eloquent little talk, and then the lights were turned out and the candles on the tree were lighted. Messr5. John Lon don and EveGard Meade distributed the presents the names of the boys and girls were called out. The beaming faces of the children vel repaid the teachers for their trouble.
 AT1HE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
 Santa Claus was at this church at 7:15 o'clock, and the Sunday school, under tho superintendence of Prof. A. c. Moore, ceived him most cordially. The school had a Christmas tree beautifully illuminated, and about 100 children, with their parents and teachers, filled the room. Songs and recitations were sweetly rendered, and after these came Santa Claus blowing his horn and ringing his bells. He hurriedly dispensed presents to all-from the young est to the odest-then hied himself away to other Sunday schools ana to the chim- neys of private houses. It was most joy GUS occasion to the children of the Central Presbyterian church.
 AT CID ST. PAUL's CATHOLIC CHURCH. At the old St. Pdul's Catholic church building yesterday afternoon, between the hours of 2 aud 8, Miss Belle Dangaix was kept busy dispensing presents to the Cath olic children. There were hundreds of presents and an immense crowd, though there were sufficient presents for all. 1t was an exhlara.ing sight and one greatly enjoyed.
 Today tbe annual collection for the or phans will be taken up, and besides all contributions at the three services will go to the orphans fund.
 FILsT METHODIST CHURCH.
 Probably tue cleverest and most inter- csting of all the Christmas Sunday school festivities that have been held in the city this year was the one held at the First Methodist church last night, and 1t may be well said that none other was better taken or more appreciated.
 The programme was begun with an an- them, followed with prayer by Dr. Morris. Dr. Morris prayer was followed with solo by Mir. Fred Shepherd. Then came a recitation by little Bessie Mo oQueen.
 Here telegram from Santa Claus was read by Superintendent Gunnells, stating that before visiting the Sunday school he would visit an old grandmother and three little children.
 Suddenly three wise men from the east were seen wandering about in search of a star, which finally made it's appearance and was followed by these three wise men. The star was followed as it glided into the center of the Sunday school room and pointed to manger, in which Jesus Christ was born. I he electric work of the star was done by Ullman Bros. and the star worked to perfection.
 The curtain went up and displayed clever representation of a Judean stable, in which Mary and Joseph and the child Jesus were found. Even the historical donkey and everything else was represented, and the sceue was truly interesting.
 This scene was followed by soft music, after which there was a recitation by little Ma1de Goldwire.
 Then came scene in which was dis closed a fireside and an old grandmother. Her three children came into the room, wrote letters of all kinds to Santa Claus, hung up their stockings, kissed their grandmother good night and disappeared into a bed room.
 The grandmother came near going to sleep while knitting, but finally woke up and then, examining everything, went into an adjoining room.
 The curtain opened the next time with Santa Claus coming down the chimney. He filled the stockings and then disap-
 lnRping up the chimney.
 cene Santa Ciaus.came down
 " to the Sunday school
 blessing