Smyrna times., 1896-12-23
CHRISTMAS OBSERVANCE.
SUNDAYS Antlclpatory Exercise,

Christmas Day does not come till
the latter part of the week, but aits
recognition commenced in part at least,
in the Methodist Church Sunday, as
the day falling so near to next Sunday
will not be observed religiously by
this denomination, except the day
break prayer meeting, feature that
has characterized the society from
time immemOrial.
The organist Mrs. COverdale, had a
specially prepared voluntary of fine
quality, and the choir rendered an ap-
prOpriate anthem entitled "Arise Shine
for your Light has come" with de-
cidedly good effect. Pastor Stengle
expecting the next Sunday to be the
regularly observed day, was not
in exact harmony with his help
behind him, a fact he noted on an
nOuncing his text, his subject being
Esther tact and diplomacy in
SciziRg the OppOrtttnity as afforded by
King Ahasuerus in saving her people
a sermon of not only historic interest
but analOgical argument and logic in
pOrtrazing the thought enforced
seizing opportunities:
/ The night service in the same church
was of no less interest. 1t was the
/
event, the hour of exercises seemingly
to deeply interest the large audience.
1t was entertaining, while thoughtful
and impressive. 1t was intended for
their regular service in the lecture room
preceding the preaching in the Audi
| tOrium, but was suggested that morn
ing that it be held up stairs, feature
that was readily entered into by pastor
and people, the half hour being eX-
tended to an hour, the pastor especially
cOmplimenting them for occupying the
time so well, and expressing the belief
that sush changes were both desirable
and beneficial.
1t was Miss Bertha Prices evening
in rotation to preside, the occasion
calling for larger share of music than
usual. This consisted of anthems and
choral singing-some eight selections
in number Bars of solos occurred in
several of these, but noticeable selec
ton was a duet by Misses Hettie
Megear and Laura Bell, i'll which Mrs.
W. o. HOffecker, soprano, L. NJ. Price,
alto, and w. o. Hoffecker, basso,
joined in the chorus.
In addition to the scriptural lesson
by the leader, was strong paper on
"Christ the Centralized force of all
Nations" read by Miss Margaret Rob
insOn, and recitation of "JOe's Hunt
for Santa Claus" with elOcutiOnary eff
feet, by Miss Katherine Beckett, and
the expounding of the lesson of the
season, by Miss Hester Rutledge.
AT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
At the Presbyterian Church the
choir rendered a Christmas anthem.
Miss Ethel H. Cooper sang very pleas
ingly a somewhat difficult soprano solo
and also sing with Mrs. j. r. McCaus-
land, cOntraltO, very pleasing duet.
Rev. j. l.. Estlin preached i'll his usual
effective style a sermon on the Nativity.
At the C. E. Service in the evening
Misses Marie Estlin and Eba Wilds
sang a duet. The regular evening
service, however, proved to be attrac-
tive and satisfactory to a large number
of people. There was no reglar ser
mon, the pastor making three or four
pithy, pointed talks, and the remainder
of the hour devoted to song and praise
Among other pieces the choir rendered
q second Christmas anthem, and class
from the Sunday School sang a hymn.
Mr.. Esthn purposes having occasional
song services as a means of attracting
non church gOers.
There will be a special exercise for the
Presbyterian Sunday School on Christ
mas night beginning at seven o'clock.
This service is original, unique, and
designed especially for the school. The
public, however, as they always are,
will be cordially welcome.
OTHER SERVICES.
In the afternoon, Simon b. Need
ham, the Adventist of Waukesha, Wis,
who has spoken or preached from Oul
street Corners the three proceeding
Saturday afternoons, preached at the
Town Hall to an audience of about
Z fifty persons. He also preached at the
Centennial Church at night.
Rev. Geo. w. Dame will hold the
I regular Christmas services at St
Peters Church on Christmas morning
Except the six o'clock prayer meeting
at the NJ. E. Church this will be tn,
, only religious services that day.
Sunday next will be the occasion o.
the 4th Quarterly meeting of this stat
ion, and Presiding Elder Smith will b.
present to conduct the Lovefeast a
9.30 o'clock and preach at 1890 The
Quarterly Conference, when report
from all the committees will be ex
: pected, will be held next Monday even
II ing.