Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-27
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
THIS THE GENERAL THEME OF
CHRISTMAS SERMONS HERE.
LARGE CONGREGATIONS AT CHURCH,
The Religious Observance of the
Anniversary Very CencraI-SpIen-
I'll" Music by WeiI-Trained Choirs-
some II the Discourses.

"'s ""Sfc ny Wcft-Iratned ChOirs-
Some II the Dixcourses.
Nc years has the sacred side Of
Christmas been so generally observed IN
Richmond as this. Sunday was as truly
day OF sincere worship as any the year
now in its last moments has seen. The
people Of all creeds and non-professors
Hooked TO the churches In great num-
bers. and Sunday morning almost every
place of worship I'm the city was well
allied. The occasion was truly n glad
one, and the people in church and out
gore their brightest faces. But through
it all there was a spirit Of true devotion
and reverence for the day, which marked
not only the birth in human form Of
Jesus. but also His victory over death and
the resurrection.
The ministers of the city were Of one
mind in telling the story now 81 ole, but
OF which the world does not seem TO grow
weary Of, how. 1898 years ago. babe
was born in q manger. and how that
babe had the greatest mission that ever
WAS given 10 tlllu VI WoHldh W NC tiiN
Saviour OF the world.
The discourses from the pulpit were all
OF a high order, tender, and thoughtful,
making an impression for good on the
people.
OF especial mention, also. was the music
in all the churches. The choristers had
worked hard and practiced much I'm bring
ing the difficult and beautiful Christmas
anthems to the best rendering, but the
results repaid them. Many persons who
do not 40 to church at all, or only rarely,
went Sunday Ito hear the muSic." The
choirs thus helped the ministers.
Though IL was ChristmasDay, the day
when il Is customary TO shoot cannon
crackers and blow horns. Sunday was re-
markably quiet. Somebody is to he thank
ed. and a city is to be congratulated.
1t is no little thing that in city OF a
hundred thousand people Christmas
Sunday shall be so quietly and sacredly
observed as day before yesterday was.
The horn was not heard at all, and only
now and then, as the day drew 70 close
was there an explosion OF fireworks.
II was as much "Day of Rest as any
Sunday Of the year-no disorder, no
drunkenness. no sacrifice of the rights
Of others.
a
4 service of much interest and marking
an epoch in the history of the leigh
Street Baptist Sunday school was held at
Leigh-Street church Sunday morning at
1880 o'clock.
II was the celebration Of the forty-hftn
birthday ofsthe school. The Sunday schooi
Of this church is now the second largest
in Richmond, and were It not for the fact
that the school has sent out two othors
i'm very recent years, ii would easily hold
the first place. IT was organized CHRIST
mas-Day. 1853. This day was also sunday
and 1t seemed eminently hitting that the
school should observe the anniversary
There were no usual school exercises,
but at 1890 the school and church nhited
IN the services. which took place In the
main audience room of the building. The
pastor. Rev. NJ. Ashby Jones, presided
and with him on the pulpit stand were
Rev A f. Dickinson. II. D., once pas
tor of the church. and Professor Charles
II Winston. Of Richmond College, who
made the address of the occasion.
PROFESSOR WINSTONS ADDRESS.
Professor winston as usual with Tim
on such occasions. was happy in his re-
marks. and doubtless helpful to many by
his earnest exhortation that the schooi
make a new and firm resolve to 90 sun
greater work during the coming year
than ever. to take on new and broader
life. professor Winston upon being pre-
scented by Mr.. Jones, said that he tound
himself somewhat embarrassed in being
called upon to speak 10 so varied an au-
dience. There were little children, older
bovs and girls. young ladies and young
men. and sprnkled about the congrSSa-
tim were those like himself whose heads
were white with the frosts of many WIN
ters He had a message for each class
he said. if he could only get them apart,
but as that could not be done, he would
consider them all children once more ana
talk 10 them as children. The speaker
did talk on christmas" 80 that the httle
people could understand, but he said In
| plain language a great many things that
were wise and true for the young and
old alike. When he had concluded Mr..
| -Tones thanked Professor Winston for the
address. The benediction was pronounced
bv DR. Dickinson. The music rendered
! bv the choir was appropriate and in
spiring, "a programme OF which has al
ready been printed in these columns.
ELECTED SCHOOL OFFICERS.
In the afternoon at $50 o'clock, the
| adj IL members of the school met in the
Iecture-room Of the chucch and elected
officers for the year. MIR. S. r. Woodin
! was chosen superintendent, Mr.. X. Z.
, Garden superintendent of the primary
department: Mr. f. h. Butler, secretary
Mr.. Ro. A. Gary. treasurer; Mr.. j. G.
Harwood. chorister; Mrs. Fannie Burch
Davis. pianist, and Mr.. DUEL, librarian
The pastor Of the church preached, as
usual at night. 70 a large congregation
The annual distribution Of candy, nuts
raisins. etc, among the scholars took
place yesterday morning. There was a
fun attendance, and the Rotations, songs
and other exercises were bright and at
tractive. Santa Claus was on hand and
gave 20 each person present bag full
Of good things.
PRESBYTERIAN Young Peoples Ceie-
bration.
In the Third Presbyterian church' al
Tvyentv-sixth and Broad streets. Christ
mas celebration for the young people was
held al 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Inc
exercises were presided over by MI. I'D
win Peasants, superintendent OF the
sunday school. The Rev. James II. COOK
read the Scripture lesson, and led the
devotional services.
THE Rev. Robert Pollok Kerr. d. d..
Of the First Presbyterian church, deliv-
cred IAN address on bethlehem" Dr.