Connecticut western news., 1897-12-30
CHRISTMAS IN THE CHURCHES.

The Christmas festivities in the churches began Frioay evening. Christ mas eve, at the Pilgrim church with a Christmas tree for the Sunday school children In ths apartments under the church. The exercises were very bright and cheerful and were much en- joyed by all. especially the children. Special features were the processional hymn by the children, short address by Mir Burnaby on "Christmas in Ger many" and the distribution of presents by Albert Barnes. disguised as Santa Claus, who took the part admirably and created much amusement by his funny speeches.
 At the Methodist church the Christ mas celebration began Saturday even- ing The church was beautifully deco- rated with evergreens and bittersweet A conspicuous object was the tall and graceful Christmas tree. reaching from floor to ceiling, the tallest ever seen in the church. This tree was bright with numberless tapers and festooned with strings of popcorn and glittering tin gel and best of all was laden with pres- ents. Rev Mir Seeholzer, the pastor, ad. dressed few words to the children in his usual happy manner; there was also singing and recitatiOns by the children. h the distribution of the presents the children naturally received the liun's share, but exceptions were made in ia. vor of the pastor and his wife and Mrs Geo. P. Strong. and the pastor gave presents to his Sunday school class. After the exercises in the church Christmas social was held Tn the church parlors. On Sunday morning the Rev MT Seeholzer prerched Christmas ser mon and Sunday evening g Christmas service of song was held in the church at which also Mir Seeholzer gave an ad- dress.
 At St Joseph's church Christmas day was observed in the usual manner. The altar and chancel were tastefully trim med with evergreens. the sombre green of which was relieved by the mild radi- ance of the many wax candles on the al- tar and the cloth of gold of the vest ments of the celebrant. the Rev Fr Kier- nan. who offered two Masses, one at 7. 30 and the other at II m The choir of young girls, Miss Keefe, organist sang the Christmas muslo very sweetly. There were good congregations at both services and large number of commu- nicants at the early service. A hand some offering was taken up for the pas tor. the Rev T. r. Ramon. Fr. Kier- nan preached good Christmas sermon
 In the Pilgrim church Sunday even- ing beautiful and elaborate Christmas program entitled "The Kingly Guest" was finely rendered. The exercises included prayer and scripture reading by the pastor, responsive reading, sing ing of carols, choruses and songs, also recitasions. Two features of the pro. gram must be mentioned. the recita- ton "I'll do my best" by Elsie Dean and the song Little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay" by Edith Landon. These little ladies who are only five years old, acquitted themselves prettily,
 At Christ church Christmas day the services included Morning Prayer, ser mon and Holy Communion. Church and chaneel were decked for the occas. ion in the usual tasteful manner and the musical portions of the services were of a high order and finely rendered. The rector preached an eloquent sermon ap- propriate to the occsslon, dwelling on the fitness of the star, as foretelling the coming ef the Light of the World" On Monday evening. the eve of the festival of the Holy innocents, the Sun- day school children had their Christ mas tree in Christ church. A large fue ce lar tree. beautifully lighted up And ornamented and loaded with gifts for the recter and the children, was the great attraction. And after the child- ren had sung their beautiful carols, joined iu the devotional exercises and listened to the kindly woraa of the rector, who hss such gift for talking to childres, the hearts of the little ones
 were made glad with what Santa Clans
 had brougbt fham