Smyrna times., 1896-12-30
A DELIGHTFUL CHRISTMAS
DAY.
An Event of Joy and Gladness and
Pleasure Greetings.

AS was indicted in the TINES last
week, the six o'clock prayer meeting
was held at the Methodist Church. Some
sixty people were out this crisp
morning by the light of the moon
when only the first streaks of dawn
had touched the Eastern horizon. The
services were of the usual fresh and in
formal character chapter from
the gospel narrating the events attend
ing the birth of the infant Savior of the
world, singing, prayer and testimony.
In addition to the Rev. A. Stengle,
Revs. H. G. Budd and G. I. Stengle
took part in the services.
Service was held at ST. Peters at II
o'clock. The Church was handsomely
dressed with evergreen in commemora-
tion of the event. The attendance was
somewhat larger than is sometimes the
case on this holiday. A full choir had
prepared several fine selections making
the singing an important feature of the
service. Rev. Geo. w. Dame the rector
preached on the nativity, with the
special bearing of thought running il
the direction what Christ is to the
people of to-day.
The usual Christmas anniversary of
the Sunday School was held in the
Chapel at night. 1t was joyous time
of course to the children. The most
CONSPICUOUS feature was large Christ
mas tree Zone of those cut down in Mr..
Prices Yard which was beautifully
trimmed. A package of candy was
given to each member, Rector Dame
preaching a sermOnette on the great
Christmas gift to the world, adopted to
their understanding.
Christmas night was also the oocas-
ion of the anniversary of the Presby-
terian Church. At the proper time the
school emerged from the chapel and
took their seats in the audience room
in the presence of a good number of
spectators. The opening song was fol-
lowed by prayer by the pastor, Rev
J. L. Estlin and u select scriptural
lesson by E. V. Cooper What was
called "MOtiOn Song" Children with
doll babies and cradles) which was at
tractive as a novelty, was followed by
Responsive Readings led by the Super
tendent, G. B. Taylor.
There was also a recit1tion by Miri-
am Swinney, (:'Night before Christ
mas, exercise by the Primary class,
Concert Recitation by Miss Cooper's
class and reading by Miss Eunice B.
Anthony-"Bells across the Snow"
very appropriate in its selection.
The chief feature of the occasion was
full representation of an old Dutch
Wind Mill, with its large winding
blades constructed of muslin. This
covered the pulpit place, and not only
served its purpose but was good
design.
E. M. Boyd in a disguised voice from
the mill personated old Kriss, and be-
fore setting the mill in motion and
turning out the "grist" which ran
down hopper in the usual fashion
only in this csse it was packages of
candy. The operation was interest
ing to the spectators as we'll as the
children. The packages were properly
served as they fell from the hopper.
Closing exercis finished the events of
the evening.
The Metropolitan Theatre Co., oc-
cupied the boards at the Opera House
during the evening. There was a
good audience in attendance and thew
gave Kathleen Mavourneen and the
farce to an apparently well pleased
audience, in both comedy and tragedy.
But for the snow that fell two nights
before the skating would have been
good on the pond, but as it was, "a num-
Der OF persons repaired there to eniov
this exhilarating sport.
A solitary sleigh made it's entrance
into town. Out in the country there
was more snow.
The cOlOred Band came out in tbe
afternoon, and besides serenading
several parties, marched through the
principle streets playing some popular
airs.