Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-12-27
BRATTLEBORO LOCAL NEWS.
THE CHRISTMAS EXERCISES.
Services Sunday in the Bratteboro
Churches and the Celebrations for
the Children.

Churches and the Celebrations for
the Children.
Rev. Dr. Gray of Boston preached in
the Baptist church Sunday morning in
the absence of Rev. Mr. Marble. His
text was For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son"
The pulpit was tastefully decorated
with spruce and hemlock trees and
hyacinths. On Tuesday evening at
o'clock a supper was given the mem
bers of the primary and intermediate
departments, about 1876 children being
present. Candy was distributed from
a pretty Christmas tree.
The usual three masses were held
in ST. Michaels Roman Catholic
church Christmas day. with special
musical program Midnight mass was
held in the morning. low mass at 9
O'Clock and high mass at 1890. Rev.
Father Griffin of Washington. d. c.,
conducted the low mass. Evening de-
votions were held at 100. The affairs
were beautifully decorated with. ever
green chains, palms, chrysanthemums
carnations and other cut flowers, and
over 100 hundred candles.
At the Unitarian church Sunday
Rev Mr.. Osgood preached on the
theme The Message of the Carols"
The pulpit and baptismal font were
handsomely decorated with holly and
cut flowers. c. NJ. Dugan, violinist.
assisted in the special musical pro-
gram, and also at the carol service
which was held at o'clock. A Christ
mas tree will be held this evening in
Wells hall, preceded by a supper at
, $50 o'clock
"The Unspeakable Gift" was the
theme of Rev. Mr.. loves sermon in
the Methodist church Sunday morning.
Special music was rendered by the
chorus choir. On Wednesday evening
supper was served to the children at
$50, followed by supper for the older
people. At o'clock a Christmas tree
was held in the church, DR.. c. G..
Wheeler acting as Santa Claus. Gifts
of all kinds were distributed to the
children, who constituted merry
group
The pulpit and choir of the Congre-
gational church were decorated with a
profusion of hemlock boughs. and
sprays of the same material adorned
the gas globes throughout the church,
making an attractive and beautiful APP
pearance. Three special anthems
were rendered by the quartet. Rev.
Mr. Miles took for his theme The
Meeting of Heaven and Earth, for
Which Christmas Stands" At 5
o'clock, in place of the usual concert
by the children of the Sunday school,
Rev. L. NJ. Keneston of West Brattle-
boro gave a talk on "The Life of
Christ" illustrated with stereopticon
views. The Christian Endeavor So
ciety united in this service with the
Sunday school, The views were much
enjoyed and the speaker drew from
each one a lesson which the school
appreciated. The Christmas enter
tainment by the Sunday school was
held Tuesday evening. The members
pAoS the primary department were given
a suBner ct 6.15, after which a splen-
did program of music and recitations
was given in the church before chill
dren and adults. The ringing of sleigh
bells announced the approach of Santa
Claus, impersonated by George NJ
clay, and presently Santa was seen
coming down large chimney which
had been erected for the purpose
Santa then distributed 300 boxes OF
candy in the form of bricks to the
great satisfaction and amusement OF
all. Following this the older people
were given refreshments in the vestry
On either side of the chimney was a
brilliantly lighted and decorated
Christmas tree, while over the chin
ney were four ropes of hemlock fes
TONED from the centre to the sides
of the choir arch. In the apex of the
ropes was suspended a large silver
star underneath which were the words
MERRY Christmas"
Evergreen and flowers were used
effectively in decorating the Univer
salist church for the Christmas ser
vices. At the Sunday morning service
Rev. Mr.. Marvin preached on Finding
the Christ Child" Christmas songs
were sung by Mrs. Pratt and Mr.
Brasor. In the evening the children
gave a concert at 7 o'clock, which was
thoroughly enjoyed. On Tuesday
evening supper was served to the chill
dren at o'clock, followed bv supper
for the adults. At o'clock Santa
Claus, in the person of Frank H
Brasor, distributed to the children
Christmas gifts and boxes of candy
from tree brightly decorated with
caEt.es and popcorn.
Christmas services in st. Michael's
Episcopal church were held on Christ
mas day, conducted by Rev. Mr.. Mathi
son. Early celebration was held al
730, followed at 1890 by morning
prayer, holy communion and sermon
Evening prayer and a carol service
was held at o'clock, with a Christ
mas tree for charity. The decorations
were specially beautiful, consisting OF
ropes of laurel, evergreen wreaths and
sprigs of holly, artisticallv arranged
A special program of music was rem,
dered.