River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1897-12-30
CHRISTIANS EXERCISES.
Trees, Cantatas and Suppers, giver
by The Schools and Churches.

The Christmas exercises in town
like the celebrations Of last Fourtl
Of July, were deliciously strung out
over three different days. This en-
abled every body who was clever enough
to be enrolled in two or more SUNDAY
schools To accept his gift in person
from the hands of Santa Claus, a.
often as this much be-whiskereo
parsonage made his appearance befor
his delighted wOrshiners. On Thurs
day afternoon the Kindergarten SAINT
Claus brought his pack to the Congre
gational church and disburdened IL OF
various handmade treasures before
the eyes Of large company of in
quisitiye parents. He was greeted by
a glittering Christmas tree and wise
lot Of kindergarten and primary
pupils. AS he was somewhat out
Of breath on his arrival, and just a
trifle embarrassed too by the fairy
land character of his reception, Tho
little people turned in and made
things interesting for their parent
in his stead. They made it very plair
to the old people that they had
thoroughly learned the text 1T l.
more blessed 20 give than TO receive,
and piled them with beautiful ano
useful gifts, made by their own hands
in the manual training department
of the model grades. They broadly
limited, besides, that they intended.
after January first, TO see thciI
parents comfortably supported ano
decentlY educated
The exercises Of the primary ano
intermediate grades at the publ,
school took place Friday afternoon
Miss Dodge arranged pretty tree in
an attractive setting; and the eX
ercises were dedicated to Hazel Miller.
The curtains being drawn, lighted
candles gave shadowy glow to the
apartment, and what with singing
and kind words and lots Of gifts,
things went very pleasantly for the
little people. The classes under the
direction of Miss Freese and Miss
Guiser united in celebration on the
same afternoon. which provided enter
tainment for all concerned.
The Congregational and Baptist
churches invited their respective
Sunday schools TO meet Santa Claus
Christmas eve, and both the children
and Santa Claus were duly on hand.
Any amount of fun came about
through the meetings, and the pres
ents easily went round and Tapped
over. The exercises at both churche
we're attended by crowds that filed
the pews. Trinity church gave its
Sunday School a supper and Christ
mas social in the rooms over APP
Roberts stOre-a plan that had dis
tinct charm besides its novelty.
An elaborate cantata was the form
of Christmas entertainment given at
the new Methodist church Saturday
evening, when the building was open
cd to the public for the first time.
The church was packed from parlorS
70 gallery, and many turned away
from the doors for lack Of accom-
mediation. The cantata, with its
several solos, its showery choruses
aud occasional bits Of bright dialogue.
gave evidence of some careful train
ing and rehearsing, and afforded enter
tainment for nearly two hours. In
the course of the evening Miss
Chichester sang solo to Il guitar ac-
com paniment 10y Mr.. Radcliffe. Mr..
Clarence Dodge sang tho role of Jack
Frost and Mr. Chapman took the
part of Santa Claus. Gifts were dis
lributed in abundance at the close of
the clntata.