Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19
YULETIDE IS HERE.
GOSPEL OF PEACE AND GOOD WILL
SPREAD ABROAD IN THE LAND.
HOW RICHMOND WILL CELEBRATE.
The FamiIy Festival "A Conspicuous
Feature-ArranGem to Cheer'
Elevate, and GLADDEN. the Hearts
of the Children, the Sick, tho Aged.

Christmas, with its gospel OF peace and
good will, is once more at our doors.
Many Of the old-time customs OF the sea-
son are fast falling into disuse. The
family festivals and the church celebra-
tions. however, still survive. Homes and
churches are still decorated, and unusu-
ally impressive services mark this great
day in the church calendar. But many
OF the more friendly customs associated
with the day have entirely disappeared
or are fast being swallowed up In the
avalanche Of demands made upon US py
society or by business.
Our grandsires and their DANES for nve
generations back yearly gave themselves
up to the gayety of fortnights Christ
mas season. We have retained the
meagre festivity one single day. But II
is becoming a question II our observance
OF Christmastide might not be en-
larged. borrowing something from the old
gay way Of life that pertained before we
all felt upon our shoulders the respon-
sibiities of hard times.
FEATURES OF CELEBRATIONS.
A conspicuous feature OF the home cele-
brations will be, as usual, the CHRIST
mas trees. Whether It's fruit shall De
distributed by Santa Claus or Kris hrln-
gle or Knight Rupert, we must nave II,
not only TO commemorate the gift-giVlnS
of the various peoples from whom our
Christmas habits have come, but the
gifts of gold and myrrh and franklin
cense brought by the Magi TO the Child
In the manger
The next day will commemorate ST.
Stephen In the olden times it was call
ed "Boxing-day," because OF the GUS
tom of giving presents to the poor. AS
II falls on Sunday this year, II will be
marked by special services In all the
churches.
When another morning dawns IL Is the
Day of Holy Innocents, and there shall
be the Sunday-school Christmas trees and
treats, when the hearts OF the little ones sare
happiest and the cups Of good cheer
brims over in most generous profusion.
POOR WILL BE REMEMBERED.
There viii be an unusually large num-
ber of dinners supplied to the poor, snd
the city's benefactlons will be multiplied
by those of private individuals.
For several years past there has been
q growing disposition on the part or the
leisure class TO minister to the wants, the
necessities. and the comfort Of their less
| fortunate brethren.
| At the Soldiers Home on Christmas
Day the veterans will be splendidly en-
tertained to a fine dinner at o'clock IN
| the afternoon. The tables will be prettily
| decorated, and the menu is most tempt
| ing one. Musical selections will be played
| during the progress Of the meal
| At the penitentiary the day will be OBJ
served as holiday, and the prisoners
| will have a nice Christmas dinner.
| One Of the most interesting gatherings
of children will bs held at the Richmond
! Male orphan Asylum on Tuesday. Inc
| feature Of the entertainment VIII be
| giant Christmas-tree, and at night there
| will be n grand fireworks display. on
the day itself there will be a special carol
| service in the chapel Of the institution
| and a glorious Christmas dinner.
| At the hospitals special and elaborate
| preparations are being made to gladden.
| the hearts of the unfortunate inmates.
In the children's ward of the Retreat
| for the Sick a Christmas-tree VIII be
placed in full view of the little sufferers,
| and every one of the children VIII re-
| ceive a present.
| At the homes for the Aged and Infirm
|
| the hearts which must otherwise be bur-
| dened with saddest memories.
| There is a manifest disposition abroad
| TO brighten the lives and lessen the cares
| Of those who have been worsted in life's
battle, and so it will be Christmas for
the poor, even II it should be a poorer
| Christmas than some which memory can
recall.
WILL HAVE FINE MUSIC.
The Dispatch gives this morning, in an
| other column, the programmes Of music
arranged to be sung in many Of the
churches of the city on Christmas-Day
| and the day following. Other programmes
| were received too late TO be so classified,
and are given below:
| The Christmas music at St. Johns Ger
man church will be exceptionally fine on
| Christmas-Day and the Sunday following
| The choir, under the able direction OF
Mr.. John Baseler, has been for the last
| month hard at work. The following will
be sun on these days: Sweet Babe Of
| Bethlehem" George William Warren);
"The Holy Night" Rey. DR.. Paul l..
| Dudley Buck.
The following ladies and gentlemen
compose the choir: Sopranos-Mrs. John
| IT. Anderson, Jr, Mrs. Lizzie Meyer, Mrs
| Horace Kirkwood, Mrs. Samuel B. Dun
ston. Mrs. George L. Franck, Miss Minnie
Behle. Miss Marca Menzel, Miss Josie
| Henninghauser.
Altos-Mrs. Henry c. Rueger Mis-.
Rhea Menzel Miss Marie Schaaf. Miss
Emma Schumann.
Tenor-Mr Charles H. Phillips.
Bassos-Mri Henry c. Rueger, Mr.. Wal
| ter c. Schaaf, Mr.. Fred b. Schaaf.
ST. MARKS CHURCH.
The programme at st. Marks church
of which Bishop c. c. Penick is rector
| on Christmas morning will be as follows
Professional, Hymn No. 49 q. Reading
''Vente" Qn haO q. r. Corbin); 'T'
| Deum" dn F. U. b. Dykes; "Jubilate'
Din FO B. Tours; Introit, Hymn No. g
R. S. Willis; Gloria Tibi" Paxton)
| HYMN No. 81 (Mendelssohn); Offertory
J Anthem. brightest and Best OF the Sons
| of the Morning" P. A. Schnecker); Re
cessional. Hymn No. 60 (H. SmarO.
December 18th the following music vii
no sung: Professional, Hymn No. 40
"Gloria Patri" U. C. Warren, "Magni
feat J. c. Warrem; "Nunc Dimittis'
lin Co "a. J. Davis; Hymn, No. 5S Q.
H. Redner): Offertory Anthem, "over tn
Hills of Bethlehem" Oh. r. Shelley; Re
cessional, Hymn. No. 60.
The following compose the cnoir OF 81
| Marks:
sopranos-Misses Halle Armistead
Brown. Florence and Kate Franklin, Hig
gason, Link. Shelley, Thomas, Tinsley
and Mrs. Nash.
Altos-Misses Buckner Armistead, Bry
ant. Hulst. Tyrer, and Wray.
Tenors-Messrs. Dashiell. Hardy, Mont
eomery. Netherwood. and Penzer.