Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-26
THE DAY WATERBURY.
Large Congregations Attended All the
 Churches. Yesterday.

Churches Yesterday.
 Christmas passed very quietly in Waterbury, there being practically no disturbance in any part of the town. The weather was all that could have been desired, except, perhaps, that some people might have preferred to see the ground covered with snow so that they could have a spin in their cutters, and in consequence large num- bers of people took advantage of the unusually fine Christmas to enjoy 6 stroll about the public streets and make few calls upon old friends and acquaintances. Some of the saloons didn't open at all, others closed at noon and by 6 o'clock in the evening nearly all had closed their doors. About s o'clock last evening few fel- lows walked up Washington street from South Main street and stood at the corner of Baldwin and Washington streets and after listening. for 9 while to the melody Of the music, that floated across the way from St Francis Kay ier'S church where solemn yespers were being sung. they retraced their steps, one of them remarking to his companions as they went. that it was strange to see that a man couldn't get a glass o'beer on Washington street at that hour. The two saloons on the street Were closed and the neighbor- hood was so quiet one would think every soul about the place was at church or in bed Things were much the same in the other districts; so that if this order of things continues much longer it is not likely that any saloon will be found open in the afternoon on Christmas Day.
 The attendance at the services ill the several churches was large and the music was of q high order. The 0:30 o'clock masses at the Catholic churches brought out large congrega- tions and the ones held later in the forenoon and in the evening were well attended. too. Where did the vast crowds come from? Were the addi- tions to the congregations made up of visitors from other towns or can it be possible that many do not go to church except on Christmas and one or two other great feast days? The pastors wished the people happy Christmas and they or their associates preached sermons appropriate to the day. The order of exercises were much the same in all the Catholic churches and included three masses
 
 mon and benediction in the evening.
 Appropriate Christmas services were held at St Johns and Trinity churches in the morning and large congregations were present. The First Methodist church Sunday school gave an entertainment i'll the evening There was no observance of the day ill the other churches yesterday, the Christ mas services having already been held by them or will be given tonight or some other evening during the week. The First Baptist and Second Congre- gational churches will celebrate this evening and the First Congregational church will observe the day Saturday evening.
 Superintendent Moran of the aims house made his big family happy. When the board of selectmen visited the institution they found everybody about the place apparently i'll good cheer, and the building sweet and clean and fit for prince to dine in. The management of the Waterbury almshouse is 8 great credit to every body that has anything to do with it. MT Moran and his wife iii particular, who appear to look upon the inmates as q hotel man does upon his boarder, auu aS a result those whom late has decreed to spend their declining years there almost forget that they are public charge. This is as it should be- It does not cost any more, nor as much, to feed happy human being than it does to maintain one who is constantly reminded that he is a paul. per and consequently is always down hearted and out of sorts,
 About 300 persons sat down to din- ner at the Salvation Army barracks under the auspices of the Boys club and the Salvation Army. The same combination sent out several hundred dinners to needy families in all parts of the city.
 A very Interesting program was rem dered at the Union Rescue mission un- der the direction of Superintendent Edgar w. Forrest, the sick at the hos pital Were remembered, and so far as can be learned an effort was made on the part of those who are in the en- joyment of good health and have some means to reach out the hand of fel- lowship to their less fortunate fellow beings and make them happy over Christmas.
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