St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-12-26
CHRIsTnAs AT THE CHURCHES.
Il the souih Church

|
bearing the word "HaIlelujah" in red or
a white background. Underneath the
arch were suspended three Christmas
bells, while from the ceiling was hung a
larger bell The front of the desk and
platform was decorated with evergreen
rope and holly. On the organ and dis
tributed about the church were wreaths
of evergreen interviewer with barberrles'
At the morning service the pastor deliv'
cred a Enthusiastically beautiful dis
course on Good Will" The musical
programme was, as usual, OF high or
| der. The regular quartet was supple
mented by large chorus Miss Isabel
Paddock, pianist, and Ned K. Young,
violinist, assisted at both morning and
evening service. The evening service
consisted OF a special musical service and
the usual children's exercises. On Mon
| day evening there was Christmas tree
in the church parlors. the exercises at
this time consisting of a chldren's can
tata, "A Christmas Crusade" This was
one of the prettiest Christmas festivals
ever held at the South church.
At Grace Methodist Church.
In the morning Rev, George W. Hunt
delivered an interesting and timely dis
course based on John 8 16. The subject
was Heavens First Christmas Gift"
Mr.. Hunt spoke of the value of the gift,
estimated by the spirit back Of it, Gods
love, and by its purchasing power, it
having purchased for us Christianity,
with its bible, its Man, its salvation, and
its heaven. The musical services were
made a special feature of the day and
they were of a very high order. In the
morning the program, as published last
week, was carried out. Harry n. May
gave magnificent rendering of "Naza-
reth," with organ and piano accompani-
ment. Miss Anna M. Somerville sang in
her usual finished manner the solo, "Glad
Tidings," by Coombs. In the evening a
chorus of 80 voices under Prot. H. H.
May gave Christmas cantata, the solo
parts being finely sustained by Prof H H.
May, W. B. Atwood, Mrs. c. c. Locke,
Miss Rose M. Bailey and Mrs. D. Will
lams. The newly organized ladies quar-
tet OF the church appeared for the first
time in public and created very favora-
BILE impression. The quartet consists of
Mrs. D. Williams, Miss Matte Hunt,
Mrs. c. c. Locke and Mrs. Ralph Par
ker. The church was prettily decorated
with evergreen and cut flowers. Over
the platform was large motto, MERRY
Christmas" The childrens Christmas
tree exercises were given on Christmas
Eve. The program consisted of violin
solo by Walter Carr and piano selec
ton by Miss Nellie Carr. Don c. Stiles
acted as Santa Claus.
AT the North Church.
The pastor preached sermon to the
children at the morning service on the
text, Gold and frankincense and myrrh,"
and told the story of the wise men. and
their gifts to the infant Saviour. In the
evening came the annual Christmas con-
cert. The little folks did exceptionally
well, the singing and Rotations being
splendidly rendered. Choice books were
to 81 children in recognition
OF their faithful attendance at church
during the year and their preservation
OF the text OF the sermons. The donor,
Mrs. Horace Fairbanks, sent word that
the same offer would be renewed for an.
other year, The pastor briefly addressed
the children and just before the service
closed every child received a choice bo-
quet of flowers, the gilt OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank H. Brooks. The musical program
was rendered as given in last weeks
paper, the choir consisting of Messrs.
Silsby and Tyler, Mrs. Harris Mrs.
Rowell, Mrs. Hazen and Mrs. Mcneil
Mr.. Burroughs assisted with the violin
and played the offertory at the morning
service.
On Christmas Eve the children gath
cred in the vestry where three trees were
gaily decorated and loaded with pres.
ents. John F. Puffer impersonated Santa
Claus to the great delight of the little
folks and besides the gifts on the trees
there was the usual distribution OF
oranges and candy.
Free Baptist Church
At the Free Baptist church the Christ
mas concert on Sunday evening was
fully up to the usual standard of excel
lence in this school. The Rotations
were well prepared and distinctly spoken.
The carols by different classes were sung
with spirit and the choruses by the
school showed the results OF the pains
taking drill by the musical director, A. P.
Taft. Laura Fenno sang a dainty
Christmas song very prettily and Miss
Ella Stevenson rendered a somewhat
difficult solo with excellent effect. The
choir furnished very fine anthems at the
opening and closing and the entire exer-
else was IN every way creditabIe and
successful. On Monday two Christmas
trees were set up in the vestry from
which great number OF presents were
distributed in the evening. Carols were
sung and Rotations given by the chill.
dren. Miss Stevenson contributed a
violin solo, showing marked improve
ment in her execution during the wear.
She was accompanied on the organ by
her teacher, Miss Florence Welioot.
First Baptist.
The Christmas Sunday services were
well attended both morning and evening
and were exceptionally interesting. The
musical parts were excellent and Mr..
McGown's address was both interesting
and helpful.
The gathering on Christmas eve was