Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-25
REMEMBERS THE CHILDREN
Christmas Trees and Special Services at
Many of the Churches,
GIFTS FOR ALL, BOTH RICH AND POOR
Little Folks the General Center oi
Attraction tor once In the Wear
shadow Hangs over One
Church.

The Christmas tree in all its garish splen-
dor Of tinsel and popcorn and candy and
candles. weighed down with its burden Of
gifts of all kinds and descriptions. formed
the center of attraction at many of the
celebrations Of the joyous Christmas time
held in the churches of the city last night.
The tree serves most useful purpose aside
from the enjoyment experienced be the boys
and girls for whose amusement II is pre-
pared. Il serves as a medium through
which many children who would otherwise
be made to feel the sting of poverty in the
absence of the little tokens which mark
the day, are made to taste of the joy OF
receiving emblems of the good will attend
ing upon the festal occasion without know
ing the source from which the thrice well
come gifts have sprung. The distribution
of candy, nuts, and simple toys causes the
young hearts to fiutter with joy and puts
all on the common level of humanity.
The Christmas tree feature was omitted
from the celebration in some of the churches
and in several eases the celebration was done
away with entirely
At the Second Presbyterian church, at
Twenty-fourth and Nicholas streets, the
Christmas tree celebration was augmented
by a cantata. in which a number of the
larger growth. The selection was Santa
Claus jr," and was a musical composition
OF considerable merit. AS rendered last
night it afforded a pleasing advertisement
for the audience which filled the church
to oyernowing. Following the cantata the
Christmas tree played a star engagement
and bags of candy and nuts were distributed
to every person in the house.
At Plymouth Congregational church, IN
Kountze place Christmas tree of respect
able size formed the center of attraction. a
number of the children amused their elders
by recting selections appropriate to the
occasion, after which the impatient young
sters we're delighted by the distribution of
candy and sweetmeats.
The exercises at the Knox Presbyterian
church were under the direction Of the Sun
day school. and consisted of vocal and in
a.rumoutal music, dialogues and reading.
The feature of the evening was the work
Of band of FIVE Brownies. Taylor Wedge
impersonated q Chinaman, Harry CouEsman
an Inuian, George PerCival German, Waldo
Scott soldier and Walter Samuelscn Uncle
Sam. The five youngsters devoted some OF
their time TO singing a Brownie song, after
which they danced off the platform with the
Indian in hot pursuit. whooping and swing
ing his tomahawk Upon the conclusion of
the literary exercises of the evening, boxes
of candy were distributed to the little ones.
MUSIC WITH THE PRESENTS.
The Sunday school children of the West
minister Presbyterian church at Twenty
ninth and Mason streets, celebrated the
evening with a Christmas cantata by w.
Howard Doane. entitled "Santy's Surprise"
The clever little piece was rendered by
about fifty of the school children who were
attired in pretty white costumes. spec
tacular effect was given to it by the APP
pearance of some of the little maids with
gauzy wings The Santa Claus was imper-
/ BOD hxv n Nj "a oh
under the direction of Miss Edith Water
man. and the entire cantata was managed by
Mr.. c. G. Scott. The singing was done by
Mrs Ely Miss Julia Newcomb and Mr..
John Guild Of the choir. The accompanies
on the piano was Miss Anna Mcdowell and
on the organ Miss Beymer The piece was
of a decided Christmas flavor, and was
heartily enjoyed by an audience Of young
sters and many OF the congregation.
At the conclusion of the cantata every
one of the pupils in the school was presented
with gifts of sweet things. The evening was
used however also for the purpose of in
culcating into the pupils the beauty of Civ
ing and of charity. Each had been re
uuested to donate a bag of candy AMI good
things for those less fortunate in worldly
surroundings than themselves, and a great
heap of stuff was gathered. This will be
distributed today among the poorer sunday
schools Of the city
4 shadow of sorrow and sadness swept
away every trace of Christmas JOY ana
happiness at the Park Avenue United Pres
byterlan church last night. 1t was caused
by the condition of the wife of the pastor,
Rev. Edgar MacDil, who is most seriously
and dangerously i'll. All arrangements
had been made for a festival time, with
Christmas tree and song and merriment.
but this was abandoned entirely. In It's
place was held a prayer meeting which the
,he members of the congregation attended
hn
of the services the gifts which had been
gathered for the Sunday school children were
quietly distributed.
REMEMBERED THE POOR.
Santa Claus visited the First PRESBYTERIAN
church yesterday afternoon and carried ms
need of good cheer to a large number OF
the primary Sunday school classes. large
Christmas tree occupied the place or nonOr
in the center of the rooms in the basement
Under the direction of Mrs. Perlne the tr2e
was loaded with small presented, ana TO-
gcther with its festoons OF popcorn ana Dass
of candy, presented regal spectacle. TWO
hours of good times were enjoyed by the
pupils. and the distribution of the presents
was made by old ST. Nick. In response to
the requests of the teachers large quantity
of old clothes, toys and shoes were brought
to the church by the little ones for the
benefit of the poor. They made a Goodly
pile In ono corner of the room, and Will de-
light the hearts of many OF the city's less
fortunate children In the evening the
school rooms we're handsomely decorated
with holly, smilaX and pOtted plants ana
the intermediate classes were entertained
The program consisted of recitations by
Misses Edith and Dorothy Squires, jamie
Abbott and music by some of the older
members of the church. Late in the evening
ice cream and cake were served
At the Central United Presbyterian
church on upper Dodge street a special
musical program was conducted In the
church proper. followed by Christmas tree
in the basement Those who participated in
the entertainment were: Molie Harmon, Mr..
Charlton Theresa Wallace, Mrs A. h. King,
and a quartet from the classes. distribu-
tion of candy, nuts and small presents con-
cluded the festivities.
ALLEN LINER is Long OVERDUE.