The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-12-24
CHURCH DECORATION.
Fruits and Grain will Soon Figure
Christmas Trimmings.

Fruits and Grain will Soon Figure in
Christmas Trimmings.
A very pretty tale hangs upon church
decoration to the effect that the disci-
pies themselves were the first ones to
begin the custom of trimming their
places of worship on the birthday of
their Savior. During His lifetime they
noted His birthday with such little tokens
as they could find. But after His cruel
fxion they made-such as were left of
them-a point of decorating their meet
ing places until they were almost beau
tiful..
The custom of decorating the church
has come down to us, strengthening in
proportion year after year. until now it
is a poor Christian place of worship that
does not boast the green and the holly.
Many of them show the mistletoe and a
great variety of winter leaves that are
not connected particularly with church
thoughts.
The trouble of it is the extravaganza
into which the churches have plunged
for their decorations. Last winter one
declined to trim at all; and an announce
ment was given out the Sunday previous
that the contributions for the Xmas
decoration would be spent for the poor.
At the last, however, few of the young
people got together and twined the
columns with ropes Of evergreens, which
they themselves gathered at no cost.
In view of the abundance Of the au-
tuiiin fruits and grains. it was proposed
for the more expensive of the flowers,
| and several of the most prominent
churches have agreed to do So Golden
| pumpkins and sheaves of wheat are to
| take the place Of lilies and roses. TO
be sure few flowers will appear also,
set around the pulpit But for the
! church corners, the grains and the pump
kins will be used.
There is something singularly appro-
earth in church decoration, because they
are so particularly gift Of God. In
time of personal need there is no one
! thing for which mOrtalS pray as they
pray for food. Even light and air are
secondary, and in celebrating Gods gift
of Himself to earth, it is peculiarly ap-
propriate that His greatest gifts to us
should be honored.
One of the most beautiful church dec.
orations is being planned by the young
people of certain church in St. Louis
These young people have banded to-
gether and formed themselves into a
union for Xmas church trimming. They
have only $25 to spend, and with this
they are going to purchase a goodly
supply of wheat, oats and other grains
that can be made into sheaves and other
decorative shapes. These they will mass
in the dark corners Of the church, stock
ing pumpkins at their base. To set them
off they will pile evergreens back of the
| grains, thus making very beautiful
background. The window stills will be
filled with evergreens and the columns
will be twined with them.
The organ loft, which is over the pull
pit, will be very prettily decorated with
sheaves of wheat fastened upon the
front. At each corner, inside the rail
ing, will stand wheat and pumpkins
backed by evergreens.
OF course the dressing of the church
is turned into frolic, and for Il SNUG
December night, with the wind blowing
outside there is no prettier occupation
than that of turning the house Of Goo
into beautiful bower of Xmas beauty
| Helen Ward.