The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-12-28
Christmas In Montpelier.

This festal day falling on Sunday as it did
this year there was not the general suspension
of business in town that has been customary in
former years. Several of the banks and the
insurance offices were closed on Saturday and
others, with many of the stores, drew their
curtains ON Monday. The general interest cen
tered in the various churches in the city. at all
OF which special Christmas services were held.
AT Christ church the music at both services
was under the direction of Prof. Andrew ].
Phillips. lie was assisted by a trained chorus
oflsthirty-throe voices and an elaborate pro
gramme was rendered. The church was pro-
fusely decorated with ferns, fresh flowers and
cedar, and the attendance at the services of
the day was very large. AT four o'clock in
the afternoon the Sunday school Christmas fes
tival, with tree, was held, The services con.
sisted OF carols by the choir and school, the
psalter and lesson of the day, the award of the
Cottrell prizes for regular attendance, and the
prizes are purchased with the interest of fund
OF Sl25, given by William II. Cottrell, Esq
OF Milwaukee. to be devoted to the perpetual
support of this school, in memory of the donor
and his estimable wife. The first prize this
year was awarded to Athena Smith: the sec
ond prizes to Maurice Dewey, Edward Ballard
and Ethel Roberts, and the third prizes to
larry Hooper, Henrietta Richardson, Ruth
BLACKWELL Minna DeBoer and Ethel DeBoer.
Beceuse of the illness of Rev. w. A. Da-
viison, the pastor, the services at the Baptist
church were in charge of Rev. w. M Newton,
principal of Montpelier Seminary, who preach,
ed IN the morning an eloquent sermon appro.
pirate to the day. In the evening a Sunday
school concert was held, and on Monday even
ing occurred the Christmas tree exercises.
In the presence of large and devout con-
gregation Rev. Father W. j. O'Sullivan cele
brated midnight mass at st. Augustine's church
Saturday night, and Christmas mass at eight
and half past ten o'clock on Sunday morning
The musical part Of the services, as rendered
by the efficient choir of this church. was
feature OF the celebration of the day. and the
earnest words of advice and counsel by the
pastor made deep impression upon all who
heard them.
Because of the illness of Mrs. George f.
Mills contralto in the choir of Bethany church,
the musical programme which had been pre-
pared was omitted and will be given next Sun
day. Rev. DIR. Norman Seaver, the pastor,
preached forceful sermon in the NOR ing
and in the evening a Sunday school concert
was held, and gifts from heavily laden tree
gladdened the hearts of both old and young.
The concer included both scripture reading
and prayer by the pastor, singing by the school,
a recitation by Elwood Jones and an exercise
entitled The Jubilee of Peace features of
which were recitations by Father Time, Uncle
Sam, and young ladies representing the four
seasons.
The musical programme at Trinity church
assisted by a chorus choir The sermon in the
morning by Rev. Andrew Gillies the pastor,
| had reference to the birth of Christ in the
| hearts of men. At the Christmas concert in
the evening Mr.. Gillies gave a short talk, Ii
5. Chapman sang a solo, Miss Fannie Parmen-
| ter rendered a violin solo, rectations were
given by Miss Elsie Poor and Fred Daniels and
selections were rendered by the choir. On
Monday afternoon tn little folks had Christ
mas tree in the vestry.
| In place of the usual Christmas tree in the
church of the Messiah the little folks had a
sociable last Friday evening at which songs.
tableau, Rotations etc., were given, and an
entertainment entitled THE Ten Miss Peli-
| cans by ten young ladies in costume. Prizes
for those most constant in attendance at Sun
day school were awarded to Addie Phillips
and Harry Pratt Refreshments were served
On Christmas morning Rev. j Edward Wright,
the pastor, preached ON THE Christian Spirit
IN the evening Christmas service was held
which was participated in by the choir and
members of Sunday school. Goldie Tucker
gave an address of welcome Mrs Luther New
combs class gave little ones welcome; Mil
Mamie Decker %, Tell the Christmas Story"
other recltations. were given by Katherine
Berry, Albert Moore, Alice Stoddard and
Helen Huntington ang Christmas hymn.
service OF unusual interest to which the
ladies were invited, was held at four o'clock,
Mems Christian Association. Rev. Andrew
Gillies spoke from the theme IN room at the
Inn, and musical programme included flute
solos by George II. Wilder, and cornet solos by
l.. l. Leonard with Mrs f II Merrill at the
piano was rendered.
Through the generosity of the members of
Mount Sinai Temple, Mobiles of the Mystic
Shrine, the sum of 500 was appropriated from
the treasury of the temple to provide a Christ
mas dinner for the deserving poor in Mont
pelier and other towns in which members of
the temple reside. A goodly share of this
money was distributed in Montpelier and
vicitity, and from many humble abode went
heartfelt thanks to the kindly givers
Nor were the jewellers at the city farm for
gotten. The generous heart of Overseer
George Wheeler prompted him to provide a
special dinner for those under his charge and
from his private funds he sent them boxes of
candy and other delicacies that were as well
come as they were unexpected.
Even the inmates of the county Jail had rea-
son t rejoice at the celebration of the day on
which Christ was born. Tailor and Mrs. Tracy
served them witt dinner that had in it little
sug estive of prison fare, which brought forth
a hearty vote of thanks.