Smyrna times., 1898-12-28
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.
AN OCCASION OF MUCH INTEREST
WITH THE CHURCHES-M0NDAY
ALSO OBSERVED AS A
HOLIDAY.
Children Get Several Treats.

Ialf Qay. Inc temperature, while
cool, was not intensely so, and gave
everybody an opportunity to be out oi
doors. Falling on Sunday this year,
it nsade it an especial occasion with
the churches, and it was a day oi
church going from the time the sun
began to tint tbs eastern horizon, until
the sun sank into the darkness OF
night. All the churches had prepared
especially for the services of the day
to commemorate the birth of the Say
ior of the world. The choirs sang
| their Christmas carols, and the clergy
men of all denominations spoke touch
ingly of the advent of the Savior and
of His incarceration.
While Sunday was Christmas proper,
Monday was also generally observed
everywhere. There was nothing of an
exciting interest that happened on this
day. In fact it was more day of
home gathering, the reuniting of fam
lilies around the festive board. The
order was comparatively quiet and the
only arrests made during the day were
for drunkenness and disOrderly con-
dact. In the evening a large crowd
came in from Clayton and elsewhere to
attend the White Rose Minstrel show,
an account of which is given else
where.
WITH ST. PETERS EPISCOPAL.
Christmas with st. Peters Episco-
pal church is always an interesting oc-
casion. This year it was even letter
than former years. The church was
never more beautifully decorated. The
arrangement of evergreens in the chan
eel was very tasty. On each side were
two large cedar trees, and
twined in and out the chancel railing
were quantities of crOwsfOOt and ever
green's that at once attracted the eye.
The chandeliers were also decorated
with wreaths of holly and cedar.
The regular service was held on Sun
day morning. Special music was fur
nished by the choir, and it was indeed
feature of the occasion. Rev.
g. w. Dame took as his Christ
mas Sermon "The Lifted Veil. -
the text being from End Corinth-
ians, 3rd chapter and 14th verse:
(Which Veil is done away in Christ. -
Rev. Dame endeavored to show to his
large congregation the veil as it ap-
piled to the incarnation of the Lord,
and that by His coming everything
was fulfilled, and our spiritual vision
opened to brighter realities. He
showed that the moral eye could be
Just as defective as the physical eve.
The heart may be all right, and our in
tentions good, but the judgement
poor. Christ when he dwelt upon
earth had the keenest sense of Judge
ment. He was not deceived, he was
mt tronn0H AhA,,-l L L
deal with the wisest men of his time.
Christ has lifted the veil, and we are
enabled to see with a clearer spiritual
vision. The sermon was listened to
with much interest by his congrega-
tion.
On Monday night the regular Christ
mas celebration was observed in the
chapel before a crowded house. It has
been the custom from time immemorial
to give the Sunday School children
treat, and no small preparation is made
to make this an event of the HOLIDAYS.
This year very novel idea was intro
duced to have Santa Claus and Post
Office. The chapel was most beauti-
fully decorated for the occasion. In
the rear of the chancel was erected a
post office, which to the audience was
quite realistic in taste and design. It
was like typical country post Office
with lock boxes and numbered boxes
The little window was there, and in
side OF the office was the Postmaster.
Col. Geo. ii. Raymond and his assist
ant, Mr.. j. w. Counselman. Old
krlss was lmpersonated by Mr.. M. G..
Flelds, and when he came out logged
IN his apparel, he at once took the eve
OF the children, and they set up buzz
over the room. Old Kriss made some
apologies for not taking his presents
down the chimney this year. He said
after thoughtful consideration he de-
clded to send them through mail. so he
was there to the post office to helm de-
nver his many presents. Each scholar
OF st. Peters was remembered. AS
each name was called, and the scholar
applied for his package. Santa Clans
procured it from the office and handed
1t IN person to the little children. II
was an occasion of much interest to
the large number present. The pack
ages contained candy, oranges and ba-
nanas. For exemplary conduct and
punctuality and good lessons tbronDb-
out the year, Miss Eva Foxwell re-
celved honor mention and was nresen-
ted with handsome book.
During the evening, Rev. Geo. w.
Dame, the rector, preached a verv in
teresting sermon from Nehemiah. 9nd
chapter and 7th verse: 'Iet letters ha
given to me-" He gave a short history
OF the custom of writing letters. the
material used and the different modes
OF conveyance used in olden times and
applied 1t to the epistles or letters of
the old testament, which God had sent
to us, telling us about his Son and His
advent INTO the world.
WITH THE PREsBYTERIANs.
The Presbyterians observed Christ
mas Day with some celebration. There
is much sickness among their conora1
CATION and hence the attendance on
the services was not as large as exDec-
TED; However the day was observed
with becoming dignity, in commemo-
ration of the birth of the Savior of the
world. The church, while not eIaho.
rately decorated, showed some evi-
uehce OF 1uletide, by the arrangement
OF evergreen on the table and in tbe
baptismal front.
The choir sang some very excallent
aud Miss Ethel Coorer sane
solo that has been highly compli,
mented as one of the sweetest she has
rendered. Rev. j. L. Estlin. ID. d
pastor of the church, gave a tbonobt'
!ul discourse from the text taken from
lsalah, the 18th chapter and 9Th verse.
And little child shall lead them "
DE 3 introduced his remarks by showing
that Christmas from its historical |
STANDPOINT was the substitution of the |
oaturnalla. The little Child of the |
Nativity has opened a new epoch in |
me history of the world, and it was |
,lght IN making christianity date from
lls birth. He told of what it meant |
by the coming of this little child. this
savior into the world; his love for hn-
nanity, and the lessons he brings to
is to subdue that which is evil. He
,losed by showing how to apply infant
morals to public service.
Sunday School was held Immediate
y after the morning service and owing
% the sickness of Supt. Geo. w. Tav7
or and Assist. Supt. Edw. M. Bovd
hr. Il. V. Cooper took charge.
In the evening Christmas service
II song was given and some splendid
music was rendered by the choir
solos were sung by Misses Marie Estlin
ND Mary LeFevre. A sweet duet was
endered by Mrs. j. II. McCansland
md Miss Mary LeFevre. Durin0 tba
Pastor j. l.. Estlin gave a
cry ;, appropriate talk on Christ
Ihls In evening the treat will be given