Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-25


 George C. Ball, NineteeTth street. between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands Telephone 9ss.)
 Unto US a child is born, unto us a son is giveni
 The star of Bethlehem rests above the manager in which lies the infant king of glory! Around Him gather the adoring shepherds and the awe-struck Magi, who bear from the far orient their gifts if gold, frankincense and myrrh.
 The prophecies have been fulfilled. the Redeemer has come, and men and angels sing His praise.
 And He who first opened His eyes upon the sorrows of the world in a stable in distant Palestine now receives the homage of the universe.
 This day, wherever the gospel has been preached. in whatever tongue, the story of Christs birth has been told. will sound the glad notes of triumph which proclaim His power Weak mon and strong men, babbling children. the sav- ants of the world, all will sing of His glory today. Our churches and our homes will bear record in their adornment of the Kings advent, and carols and an thems shall sound the praises of the babe who was first cradled in the straw of Bethlehem's stable.
 Christmas trees glitter with their lights and brilliant fruit The children have peeped into their mysterious stockings and dra wn out all the good things placed there by faithful old Santa Claus. The floors are strewn with toys. perhaps the doors are stained with the imprint Of dear little candied fingers. but that does not matter, for it is chi1dren's day. and their young hearts are learning the story of the Christ-child in their own peculiar way.
 And age comes all too early for each one of us. Soon the little boy who makes you deaf with the rub-a-dub of his drum and the dismal discoTd of his tin horn shall be a great, manly fellow. who will be ex- pending his energies in other dlrectlohs and spending his Christmases in other localities The sweet little girl who cod dies her dolls at your knee will soon tnd happiness in broader fields and. perhaps, who knows in the dignity of a well or dered Christmas. you will yoarn TOT the harsh notes of horn and drum. the litter of toys and even the sticky door-khops and distracting firecrackers.
 So go to church this morning. my friends: thank God for the gift of His son to the world and then thank him Tor all the blessings of the past and the present. than which there are none greater than the children He has contidcd to your care. And remember you arc unworthy of these blessings unless you make the most of this beautiful Christmas season and bring into some life joy and bright ness, like unto the star of Bethlehem, shed upon the plains and hillsides of Jul dea. A merry. happy Christmas to all, and to all good day.
 MT. and Mrs E. II. Cabaniss and their children are spending the Christmas hoii- days with relatives in Atlanta
 Mrs. E. P. Quigley returned yesterday from charming visit to relatives In AL lanta.
 Mrs. Robert P. McDnvid and children are in Birmingham for the holidays
 
 Miss Bridewell of Washington city is in Birmingham. the guest of her parents, MT. and Mrs H. F. Bridewell
 Mai George c. Ball and Miss Sue Allen Ball came over from Atlanta yesterday. Mrs Lillian Cole-Bcthel of Columbus, O., Is visiting Mrs. H. s. Brideweil 3l4 North TWenty-third street. Mrs. Cole Bethel is a rarely gifted woman. an ad- vocate of the higher education of women and the author of valuable work upon Parliamentary Laws"
 All the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches will be splendidly decorated to- day.a ndt the music at each will be unus- ally fine. At St. Mary 1.-the High lands Professor Guckenberger will pre- side at the organ and conduct the cholr, which besides the vested chOriSterS. will have the following quartette: Soprano. Miss Bridewell; contralto, Mrs. Gucken- berger; tenor, MT. Gillies. and basso. MT. w. E. Smith. The following is par" tial programme of the music:
 Venite in E (Randall)
 Te Deum, festival Quck)
 Jubilate in B flat (NeVin.)
 Alto solo, "Hosanna In the Highest est. Quentin), Mrs. B. Guckenberger.
 The Hyppocrenean and Pierian Liter ary societies of the Pollock Stephens in- stitute have issued within the past few days a magazine, The Pharos, which will be published quarterly. It is great credit to the young ladies. and Its pages are filled with marvelously good reading matter, written by various members of the societies. It is beautifully gotten up in white and gold cover, well printed. and remarkably well edited and man aged by the following staff: Editor-in- chief. Miss Jamie McLester; assistant editor Miss May Belle Sloss; local editor. Miss Laura Ferguson literary directors, Miss Kate Eubank and Miss Maud Ter rell; business managers, Miss Virginia Walker, Miss Annie Harberson. Miss Corrie Handley, Miss Oracle smith.
 
 Dr. Burr Ferguson returned few days ago from New York, where he Is pursuing his medical studies, to spend the holidays with his parents. Gen. and Mrs. Fred s. Ferguson.
 MT. Sumter Mays Ball is the guest during the Christmas holidays of MT. Eugene Kelley of New York.
 Dr. R. s. Macarthur says these elo- auent things of this Christmas season:
 "The birth of Christ is the greatest fact in the history of the human race. It has dignfied poverty honored child hood and glorifled motherhood. It made the whole atmosphere tremulous with angelic song. and it still makes the song of peace and good will the ideal anthem of humanity. Women owe much to Jesus Christ. and women will most bless the home and the world as she most fully possesses and diffuses the spirit Of this first and only celestial song"
 MT. and Mrs Charles Caldwell of Bain- bridge are spending the holidays with MT. and Mrs. Charles O. Locke.
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