El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1896-12-26
CHRISTMAS CHEER,
THE CHURCHES HAVE AN ENTER
TANNING TIME.
The Most Enjoyable Christmas Eve in
Local HstOry.-En and
Good time Everywhere.

ct was the night before Christina
. when all through the house, not
: creature was stirring-not even
, mouse"
The writer hoists this sentiment a
.. the head of the column, not merel
because he thinks it's eminently az
propr.ate to the occasion, but becaus
1t is the only Christmas rhyme ht
knows, and he learned that while il
short clothes. But, there many chill
dren in Ell PasO repeating that bit o
rhyme TO themselves and to theii
friends Thursday afternoon as they dit
just awfully wish the hour would come
for the tree festivities to begin.
So when the hour arrived the church
es were not long in being filled with 6
wriggling, uneasy infantile throng
and it is pleasant to note that none O
the children had any just cause fol
disappointment: there was an immense
amount of candied sweets slowed away
in the youthful stomach, and there
was Joy and happiness depicted on tine
countenances of all the children. The
fiesta started bright and early. The
| first church to begin being St. Clements
where the children'S exercises began
at p. N.
The great feast was heralded with
l.
were accompanied in some instances
| by their parents, and their bright and
happy faces were pleasant sight.
The service was simple, consisting of
carols, few appropriated prayers, a
responsive reading-bearing upon the
prophecy of Christ's birth and its full
filment, brief address by the rector,
and distribution of Xmas cards.
The next church to open was the
Mexican Methodist mission on South
Campbell street. Rev. J. F. Corbin
pastor. The interior was prettily
decorated with Mexican flags of vari
Gus sizes, and at the rear of the room a
large bower of greens was built up
with various floral and bunting decora-
tiOns. The auditorium was crowded
with members of the congregation and
their friends and children, and the
distri button of the numerous presents
was preceded by representation by
the children of the scene OF the nativ-
ity. This included singing and recita-
tion with dramatic representation, and
was prettily done. The presents were
distributed by the pastor assisted by
Crispo and Pedro Enrtquez, and Seuo-
ritas Ellington and Terry. Presiding
Elder Ellington of the adjoining
English conference was presen ted with
other English speaking friends. The
occasion was a red letter day with
the Spanish speaking Methodists, and
presents were all on the useful order.
At TIE Baptist church, the audi
torium was packed solid by the Sunday
school children and their parents and
friends, who were all delighted with
the stereopticon exhibition illustrating
scenes. The views were
those of Gustave Dorand, therefore of
the highest order of artistic merit
With each scene some child repeated a
descriptive verse of Scripture; so the
exhibition was not merely Interesting
but instructive. 1t was one of the
most pretentious exhibitions ever given
in this city. At the close of this part
of the entertainment. the children ad
jOurned to the vestry where there was
a big Christmas tree filled with good
things, and d species of house porch
to the occasion was erected
from which to give the presents. The
party who was to play Santa Claus for
some reason was unable to be present,
so the presents were distributed with |
out any visible ST. Nicholas. However,
everyone was remembered, and many
were able to attend the festivities at
other churches where the evening was
longer.
The Myrtle avenue Methodists had
a inc time Chopin Hall where the
stage was utilized for sort of child
dren's Christmas operetta, represent
ing Christmas. The main scene, the
coming of Santa Claus, was prefaced
by children's chorus and minor scenes
W hich were prettily carried out. Then
Santa Claus in Mr.. Knold, one of the
choir singers appeared in scarlet and
white and oh my, so fat, and he
shook when he laughed. like a bowl
full Of Joy, that's what he did. Then
nd
was just unloading his good things into
lots of stockings, when the household
surprised him, and then there was a
great time. In this scene particularly
the SOLO and chCrds work was good. and
the acting decidedly animated. After
the St. Nicholas opperetta, and the
distribution of presents the remainder
of the evening was given up to social
games. Miss Kate Moore, professor of
music in the public schools and organ
ist of the church, was the musical
director.
The Presbyterian church exercises
were rather short, but the children
enjoyed good time. The church was
crowded beyond the doors, and the
children were nightly pleased with
Frank Morris, who appeared as Santa
Claus in festive attire. He did his part
very well. He appeared from behind
a screen with huge bags full of good
things. The music was excellent, and
the evening passed off very pleasantly.
At the Christian church this program
was observed. Two songs by the
school, prayer, two songs by the school,
recitation by Sybil Shedd, song, Little
Polly Flinders, recitation by Gertrude
Teller. motion song by the Children's
quartet, song with sleigh bells, Santa
Claus in trouble and its result-Santa
Claus, Mr.. Faddish, and fairy, Susie
Bishop. There was no tree, but there
was a snow covered porch, backed by a
tall chimney, from which pasteboard
bricks, filled with good things, were
taken for the children by Santa Claus.
The services were concluded with
distribution of pulled candy, a present
from Millard Patterson.
Trinity church was packed solid with
little ones, middle grown ones and
grown ones, and not few people were
turned away being unable to get into
the building. There was huge
Christmas tree in front of the pulpit,
j. w. Brown was Santa Claus, and a