, 1899-12-26
A JOYOUS XMAS
CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT LARA
MIE-LARGE ATTENDANCES
AT THE CHURCHES.
Sermons at Episcopal, Presbyterian,
Baptist and Methodist Churches
Children's Christmas Services
Many Presents and Happy Faces Of
Both Young and Old.

mic, was one of the happiest in many
years, and everywhere could be seen
happy faces not only Of the little chill
dren, but those older and even gray
haired and the Christmas greeting was
given with heartier cheer than ever be
fore. The churches and Sunday schools
held special services and everywhere
there was a larger attendance han on
previous occasions.
The sight of burning candles and rich
e~vergeens, holly and mistletoe lent a
charm to the interior of many churches
and homes.
WITH THE METHODISTS.
The large crowd that enjoyed the
presentation of the juvenile canJata,
Santa Claus Vision" at the Metho-
dist church on Saturday night was a
unit in pronouncing it the prettiest
Christmas entertainments that has
been given by that Sunday school in
many a year. All the members of those
classes which may be called children's
classes, some s~eventy-fve or more,
found appropriate places in the pro-
gram. Chorus, class and solo singing,
with bits of recitation and dialogue in
terspersed, made a program in which
all could join and in which each ap-
Feared in the best possible light.
Where SO many Joined to prepare this
Christmas treat it is impossible to give
the names of those who so well render
ed their parts. The charm of the Choir
us singing, the melody of the solos, the
interest Of the dialogues, were height
ened by the theme of them all, "The
Coming of Santa Claus When 'the
good old man" arrived, as he truly did,
Joy reigned supreme. The candles on
the gaily decorated tree were now
lighted, and soon after a committee be-
gan to remove from its burdened
branches the presents which were to
help in making joyful this Christmas
tide. Fairies carried these to the wait
ing hands Of those whose eApectant
faces plainly said, "Oh, how happy we
shall be tonight" For Christ
mas season m but once a year"
Too much credit cannot be given to
those who gave SO freely of their time
and strength in the preparation Of
these Christmas exercises. Mrs. Krue-
ger and Mrs. Owens untiring labors we
must mention in particular, and Miss
Smiths services in assigning the parts
and assistance in tie drill must not be
forgotten. But to mention all to whom
credit is due would be to name a num-
Der of most efficient committees and
the names of the teachers and officers
of the school in general.
The following is an outline Of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Frederic T.
Kueger at the Methodist church Sunday
morning his subject being, "The Uni
versal Kingdom"
HE shall have dominion also from
sea to sea, and from the river unto the
ends of the earth."-Psa. 1928.
David, doubtless, thought Of Solomon
when he wrote these words. There have
been few monarchs who have not
dreamed of universal empire for them
selves or their children. Alexander
aimed at such empire, and is said to
have wept because there were no mor
worlds to conquer. Charlemague was
crowned emperor of the Holy Roman
empire 1899 years ago in Rome, by
Leo III. His empire soon fell to pieces.
Nor was Napoleon more successful in
holding together the great empire he
had conquered. The words then must
apply to Jesus and to His kingdom
among men. Kings in all departments
of thought and activity have delighted
to hear of Him as King of Kings and
Lord Of Lords.
The purpose Of Christ was not to es-
tablish an empire founded on the as
tendency of one nation over another,
for Jesus refused a kingship which
arose out of a popular movement. His
purpose was to establish a kingdom
within the hearts Of men. The test Of
Christianity, as OF everything else, lies
not in its power to satisfy critics, but
In Its ability to do its work. ITO
Christianity must be ascribed one SUI
preme achievement-an ~unequalled
power Of cultivating sainthood.
1. The width OF the sway Of Christ
denotes expansive force. Just now ex-
pansion is arresting the attention Of
the world. Fortunately the Latin race
stood for the ideal In this line. But
Rome fell before the Barbarian hordes
which she had failed to subdue. Later
Spain was the great expansion king
dom, and only lately lost her empire;
but today the A~rs!o-Saxon race is the
great aggressive race of the world.
Whatever we may think Of expansion
as a policy, 1t, at least, indicates a
healthy and vigorous condition OF az
fairs. Today Christianity is more ag-
eressive than ever. In the far east es-
pecially Is great progress being made.
Nor Is the west behind in this matter.
Everywhere thousands are coming into