Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1895-12-26
CHRISTMAS SUNDAY.
How it was Observed at the Churches
Some Programmes.

How it was Observed at the Churches
Some Programmes.
The Sunday before Christmas is usually
observed in most of the churches by spec
ial and appropriate services, with Sunday
school concerts in the evening.
This year was no exception among the
churches of Ellsworth. At the Congrega-
tional, Methodist, Baptist and Free Bap-
fist churches special services were held.
The day dawned with the sky filled
with eaden clouds portending rain, and
Just about church going time the wind
and rain We're furious. Many were kept
away from church, and the outlook for
the evening was anything but cheerful.
About noon the clouds broke, and
soon the sun was shining. During the
afternoon it cleared entirely away, and
the children We're assured of pleasant
evening.
AT THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The sermon by the pastor, Rev. ID. l..
Yale, was on the text, "Behold | bring
you good tidings.o The nature and sig
niticance of the Christmas observance
We're appropriately treated.
The pulpit was tastefully decorated
with evergreen boughs. This was the
work of the regular flower committee of
he church.
The special music for he occasion VAS
sung by a chorus of twelve voices, he
regular choir being assisted by Miss Mary
Hall, Mrs. e. f. Redman, Mrs. Royal. So
pranos; Mrs. F. e. Smith, alto; A. W.
King and f. w. Rollins. basses, and A. J
Lord and f. f. Redman, tenors.
The anthems sung We're as follows
GLORY to God Most High. ................L ouH
ARISE Shine for thy Light is Come. go. Holden
''Brightest and Best OF the Sons of the
Morning" ......-................s ehneekrr
! christmas" ................. Shelley
The solos were sung by Miss Phillips,
Mrs. Redman and Mr.. TapIey Mrs. ). +.
Hall presided at the organ.
IN THE EVENING.
One of the best Sunday school concerts
ever given in the church took place in
the evening. Following was the pro-
gramme:
Organ voluntary.
Process -ional hymn chorus. 80. Deoneo Brown
Scripture reading and prayer by the
pastor.
Hymn-"O, Come all Yc Faithful"
school ana congregation.
Recitation, "Wreome,"
Howard Smith.
Song-slark, the Herald Angels Sing"
school.
Reeitation-"Little Town of Eethle-
hem .....;,... Phillips Brooks
Leomce Foster.
Caro................... .......... Martin Luther
Bernice Giles.
Observation-Disclosures Offerings"
Louise EppeS, Muriel Davis, Louise Dutton,
Jennie Thomas, Lena Foster Bernice
Giles, Grace King, Helen Davis.
Song-''n Came from the Midnight Clear"
School.
Observation-Disclosures, Twinkle Little Star,
Ralph Homes.
Rccitation-"C hristmas Hymn .AIfret BONNET
Leah Friend.
Recitation, Little Lights"
Lena Foster, Frances Jordan, Dorothea
W Whiting, Marie Grant Leah Thomas,
sadie Robbins, Ralph Holmes.
Carol-"Rcjoice, Rejoice"
I.tonice Foster, Maude Smith, Helen Hale,
Helen Davis, Muriel Davis, Louise Eppes,
Lena Foster, Leah Thomas. Annie
Lord, Bessie Joy, Grace King.
Recit4tion-"T Three Kings. .....Fabcl
Louise button.
Solo-"Only Starlight Led to Jesus"
Annie Louise Lord.
Recitation-"C hristmas". Phillips Brooks
Marion Joy.
Rectation-"C christmas Night ............ Faher
Maude Slower.
Hymn-"Coronation,
Congregation
Benedcton.
Several of these numbers were unique.
| In the 'sChristmas Offerings" after SIX OF
the girls had reeited little Bernice Giles
stepped in front, and sang measure, the
rest responding. This feature finished,
| seven of the children knelt in semi
circle IN the attitude of prayer, with
Grace King i'll front, standing. In this
position she recited Just AS | Am,
soft accompaniment being played on the
organ At the close of each verse, the
last line was sung as a refrain by Mrs.
ROYAL in the organ loft. The effect of it
all was impressive.
Another feature was The Little
Lights" Seven children We're provided
with candles, Master Ralph Holmes
having the only lighted one. He lighted
the OF hers, one by one, each girl recitlng
a verse as her candle was lighted during
the recital ions he lights We're turned off
from the body of the house.
All the participants deserve great credit
for the excellent manner in which they
performed their parts The programme
was almost entirely the work of Miss
Maud Phillips, to whose hard work, and
patience, and skill, the success OF the
a fair is mainly due.
AT OTHER CHURCHES
the Christmas services were not so elabor-
ate. At the Methodist church the pastor,
Rev. L. ii. w. " harff delivered Christ
mas sermon in the morning, his subject
being The Birth of Christ"
At the Baptist church Rev. f. A.
Mason's sermon had reference to the