Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-26
CHRISTMASCHIMES
Twas a Merry Day Of Cheer
and Good Will.
THE WEATHER WAS DELIGHTFUL.

Church Festivals. Home Observances.
Happy Greetings and Remembranees-
A Day which Leaves Its Own Impress
sion.
The world is better for Christmas
better because OF its originality;
better for the teachings of peace and
good will among men; better for the
impression it leaves upon humanity.
From the first chime of Christmas
eve the whole world takes on new
aspect, human thoughts turn to-
others and an inspired love unites
the brotherhood OF man the world
over where Christianity and civiliza-
tion exist. Like Thanksgiving, it il
the home day, and the home coming
day largely. 1t is the one day of the
year above all others when those
whose occupation otherwise engages
them seek to be with those to whom
they are bound by the most sacred
ties.
weather Brightens with the Tide.
The elements which had been sad
ly out of harmony for several days
took on the air of Christmas tide and
frightened yesterday into an idea,
Christmas day, the most delightful
in all respects Imaginable, and while
the rain of the night before did not
turn into snow and thus provide easy
shedding for the fur-clothed person.
age of infantile fancy and delight,
st. Nicholas got around just the
same. The consequences in the way
of anticipated joy in thousands of
households need not be detailed.
Aside from this and the family re-
unions, there were numerous Christ
mas trees both Christmas eve and
last evening. All over Rock Island
the sunlight of happiness that came
with the sunlight OF the day found
its way into the home and warmed
and frightened the hearts of all.
Church Observances.
Christmas, the most important
festival of christendom, was a day of
great Joy in the Episcopal and Ro-
man Catholic churches. The houses
OF worship were appropriately decor
ated with holly and evergreen. and at
Trinity there were services at 1880
Tuesday evening, at midnight and
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning,
and at the last named service the
music was feature, the rector. Rev.
K. F. Sweet, delivering one of his
able sermons appropriate to the &C.
casion. At st. Joseph and St.
Mary's Catholic churches there were
services at 5, 8 and at 10 a. m.
At the German Lutheran services
we're conducted morning and even
ing on each of which occasions the
pastor, Rev. c. A. Mennicke. deliv.
cred sermons BETTING the joyous fes
tival.
For the First M. E. Sunday school
the Christmas observance was held
Tuesday evening. A neat little can
tata, "Sauta Claus, Jr.," was pre-
sented and the children all appro'
priately remembered.
The Christian church will have its
Christmas festival at Armorv hall to.
morrow evening.
Old Santa Claus visited the chill
dren at the Broadway church Tues.
day evening, when the little ones al
assembled in the Sunday school room
were remembered with bags of can
dies, etc. Then there was scripture
reading. singing. Rotations, etc.
The First Baptist church had its
festival Tuesday evening, when
Santa Claus distributed the many
good things among the Sunday schoo
children. large Christmas tree
adding reality to the occasion. A
nice program OF Rotations, songs
etc was also given. Rev. and Mrs
c. f. Taylor were most pleasantly
remembered by the congregation, re
ceiving a handsome dinner set.
The Central Presbyterian church
will hold its Christmas entertain
ment tonight.
Trinity church had children's
service last evening. A Jacobs lad
der illuminated with candles ex.
tended from the floor to the ceiling
and the children were remember
with presents.
Two Christmas trees were sta
toned in the German Lutheran
church yesterday for the little ones
to feast eyes upon. and the presents
we're distributed today.
Prisoners' Feast.
The 16 county Jail prisoners were
reminded of the festal day with 9
sumptuous dinner consisting of fow
and other edibles which the Jail birds