Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-29

Tho Christmas season had its public OBJ
servance in this city Saturday and sun
day. There were fair-sized congregations
at all the church exercises, although
whooping cough, mumps. grip and kindred
ailments kept many of the children II
their parents at home
AT ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.
The Christmastide service for the Sunday
school of ST. Paurs was held at the church
Saturday afternoon at 4:SO o'clock and
was followed by a Christmas tree in the
chapel. The service vas Largely attended
by the children Of the parish and with
them came many of the older people,
drawn by the beauty of the service and
by the pretty scene at the distribution OF
the gifts.
The church was handsomely decorated
with festoons of evergreens about the
chancel and at the windows. \ pro-
gramme was carried out in a pleasant
manner after which the children march
ed to the chapel, where a large Christmas
tree drew forth many an OF
delight. The gifts were distributed. each
pupil Of the Sunday school receiving some
remembrance.
AT THE FIRST CHURCH.
The little people of the First church
were pleasantly entertained with games
and tine reading of a Christmas story ty
Miss Lucy Toriey Saturday afternoon
from until 6 o'clock. " Christmas
trees loaded with bags of candy which
were distributed among the children pre-
scented a very pretty appearance and MADE
the hearts of the little ones happy. sup
per was served at 6 o'clock and in the
evening before the whole Sunday school
stercOpticon views representing DICKENS
characters were shown by Louis stock
well. Professor II. a. =. Torrey read Sc
ErA-- ~ 80 n n n
while the views were being shown.
There was a large congregation at the
First church Sunday evening and quite q
lengthy programme was rendered by tnt
choir and Sunday school. Prof. II. n. /
Torrey gave a delightful reading and Rev
Or. Halves. with n short addross OF
Christmas. closed the programme
AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The Observance of Christmas at th'
Unitarian church began Saturday evening
at I O'Clock. when the pastor. hand in han'
with one OF the smallest children in th'
infant class. and followed by other mem
bers of the school. entered the church from
the Sunday-sChool room singing a caro-
and occupied the front pews. As the!
seated themselves MIR. w. f. Ferguson
turned a switch and n magnificent tree
reaching well toward the ceiling. was re
splendent with % electric lights. which ha'
been covered with many colors OF crep'
| paper. producing a beautiful effect withou
! the danger OF fire which always attends
| tree lighted by candles. The wiring wa
, done by Messrs. Varcor ard Poland. Their
| were carols by the school and choir. reel
) tations by some of the young scholars
) and a solo by little Mildred Neill. witt
, organ accompaniment. Fells were sool
5 heard in the distance and Santa Claus ap
r peared at the door Of the church ant
passed up the entire aisle. After greeting
the pastor Santa Claus, whose voice re
, semblcd that OF +. c. Dodge. began Il
| distribute gifts and boxes of candy to til
members of the Sunday-school. Willin;
|, hands assisted him and the exercises wer
/, soon over.
l Sunday evening there was a Christina
, concert by the Sunday-school choir.
t AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The parlors OF the Baptist church wer
I filled with merry little men and womer
/, many with their parents Saturday even
4 ing 10 attend the Christmas celebrate
| and listen TO the very interesting PFC
5 ramm which was rendered by the prim
r airy department OF the Sunday school.
large Christmas tree. beautifully deCora
| ted with pretty gifts for the children Wa
n the attraction towards which many it'll
4 eager eyes were turned. After the Pre-
I gramme the pastor. Rev. DR.. Robert
e spoke about the big fire Saturday morn
: ing and asked the children question
b. about it. The humorous answers tina
= We're given caused much Amusement
r among the spectators Soon afterward
= whistle WIS heard AMI in came a rca
s postman. who took Santa Claus place an
S distributed presents among the scholars q
I the Sunday school. As each person wen
g out he or she received a bag OF candy. TIL
/ evening was greatly enjoyed by the lit.
= ones.
At the Baptist church Sunda
t evening there was held n Sun
z day school service in which IN
I children OF the school took a prominen
y part. a prepared service entitled "rh
: Prophet of Nazareth was used. whtc
4 consisted OF carols and responsive read
y inEs. There were also some recitations b
. the younger members OF the Sunda
z school.
o AT THE COLLEGE STREET CHRCCE
. The special service for the Sunda
school of the College street church whic
, was held Sunday afternoon at ) o'clcc
in the church proper Was largely attend
, ed. The church WAS very pTettiiy trim
. med with green's and a huge star va
a suspended over the pulpit. The se7vic
= consisted of carols and responsive reat
. inGs by Superintendent Pease and IN
;. Sunday school. Mr.. u. II. Burrows gay
y an entertaining talk on the Christina
= time and what il meant. The service W.
closed With an offering which was take
+ I%A Z T.---r