The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1895-12-26
Christmas in the Churches.


| Christmas In the Churches.
| The services at the various churches Of the
city last Sunday had special reference to the
Christmas season, and some had very beau
tiful decorations ami special music. Owing
to the severe storm, the attendance at the
morning services was small.
The Unitarian church never looked hand
somer than on this occasion, and the decora-
tions reflected great credit on the skill and
artistic eye OF the janitor, Mr.. FL. W. Marri-
ner, who designed and put them up. The
/ pulpit and surroundings were literally en-
powered in evergreens. The pillars were
entwined with festoons the pulpit was faced
and flanked with evergreen trees. on the
arch overhead was row of small spruce
trees, and the whole was backed with a
literal forest of evergreen. A vase of bright
flowers stood on the pulpit. From the cen
| ire Of the ceiling overhead festoons of ever
green depended to the four corners of the
balcony, the front of the balcony rail was
decorated with small trees and wreatbs, and
larger trees ornamented the walls below
During the service the blinds were closed
and the gas turned on. which greatly height
lected for the occasion, was artistically rem
dered by choir composed of Misses Char
lotte w. COlburn and Blanche L. Sullivan,
soprano; Miss Sadie Russ, alto; Mr.. R. H.
Mosher, tenor; Mr.. N. G. Pettingill, bass
Miss Mary E. Faunce, organst; Mr.. p. A.
Sanborn, violin. The musical program was
as follows:
Offertory in D Salome
| Carol, Good Tdings," Bartlett
Solo by Miss Colburn, violin obligato by Mr..
Sanborn, and quartette
"It was Blessed Christmas Morn"
Bartlett
Solo BY Miss Colbnrn and obligato by Mr.
Sanborn.
| Gloria, Alzamora
Dream Of Bethlehem, Rodney
| Solo by Miss Russ and obligato BY Mr
SanbOrn.
Quartette, Hark! What means These Holy
Voices ?' Barrett
Organ postude, "March Pontificale."
Gounod
The sermon by the pastor, Rev. J. NJ.
Leighton, was a scholarly production and
dealt with the Mother of Jesus, and how
she has been regarded in the different ages
since the Christian era. The decoration
will remain in position several weeks, and
the music will be repeated next Sunday
The subject will be 1.-THE Christmas Ebb
and the New Years Flood
At the Universalist church, wreaths of hol-
~ were artistcally arranged about the altar,
in combination with ferns, palms and deli
cate vines. The communion table was cover
ed with pure white, gracefully draped with
smilax- The general effect was modest and
artistic. The music was fine, and as rem
dered the more impressive by the sweet
tones OF the organ, which has been rebuilt
and greatly improved during the past month.
The choir consisted of Mrs E. z. Frost.
Mrs. Jesse Weber, Messrs. White, Ward
we'll, Peterson and Mixer, with Mrs. Crow
ley as organist The music was as follows:
Voluntary, Offertory Helms
Christmas Hymn,
"Harkl What Mean These Holy Voices?"
Stearns
The Angels Song. a. B. Herbert
Organ Postlude Batiste
The pastor, Rev. Chas. Ell. Wells, took for
his subject "Tbe Significance of the Birth"
and delivered a sermon well calculated to
awaken reverence and to deepen the inter-
est in the significance of Christmas The
communion service followed the sermon.
The North church pulpit was decorated in
an artistic manner in conformity to the
Christmastide. Large evergreen trees
stood at each side of the pulpit and the front
was draped with boughs and vines relieved
by bouquets of bright flowers. The decora-
lions We're arranged by committee of
young ladies', under the direction of Miss
Caroline W. Field. The choir was compos-
ed Of Miss Sally Durham, Soprano; Miss
Lucy A. E. Palmer, alto; Mr.. c. NJ. Craig,
TENOR Mr.. John Parker, bass Mrs. j. W.
Jones, organist The program was as fol-
lows:
Voluntary, "Cujus Ani1nam," Rossini
''The Passing of the King" Macy
Solo, "NaZareth, Gounod
Mr. Parker
Gloria, Farrant
Carol, "It Came Upon Midnight Clear
Willis
Carol, "The Joyful Morn is Breaking"
Hopkins
Selection, 80, Lord God,' McDougall
Fostlude, FRO Peccatls, Rossni
The sermon by the pastor, Rev George S.
Mills, was edifying and tended to the awak-
ening of spiritual interest. The evening
services by the Christian Endeavor Society
at o'clock, and the responsive Christmas
service at o'clock, were largely attended,
interesting and appropriate to the season.
The forenoon service at the Baptist church
was postponed until next Sunday, and
prayer meeting held instead. In the even
ing the church was filled and it was found
necessary to bring IN extra seats. The ser
vice was interesting and full of the Christ
mas spirit. The program was as follows:
Organ Voluntary.
Doxology, "Holy, Holy, Holy"
Invocation.
Scripture, Luke 2.
Unison Chorus, Nazareth" Gounod
Prayer.
Anthem. 20 Pray for the Peace of Jeru-
SALEM Knox
Solo, Quartette and Full Chorus.
Selection, at came upon the Midnight
Clear Sullivan
Alto Solo and Chorus
Sermon, Pastor
~ubject, "No room for Jesus" Luke 81.
Choral, "Once in Royal David's City,"
Chorus.
Benedicton.
Postlude.
No.+ o,,l,- o,,.x;,u 49,. ..lI ~