Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-31
CELEBRATIONS.
Exercises Mt the city Churches Thurs
day Afternoon ana Evening

The annual Christmas tree for tho
members of the kindergarten and prim-
airy departments of the Methodist Bibls
school was unloaded in the parlors os
the church Thursday afternoon There
was Il large attendance of small folk.
The distribution Of gifts was preceded
by appropriate exercises after which
every one of the children received at
least one present, in addition to an
abundance of popcorn and candy.
ST. PAULs CHURCH.
The Christmas exercises at st. Paul's
Church by the children of the parish
were held Thursday afternoon a pleas
ing programme being carried out in
the church. a brief sermon, devoted
to the birth and life of Christ, was de-
liVered by the Rev George Y. Bliss
after which the children descended to
the church parlors. where large guam
titles of gifts were in readiness for dis
tribution y handsome Christmas tree.
brilliantly lighted with electric lights,
occupied prominent position and
caused the eyes of the younger ones to
open wide with pleasure and anticipa-
tion.
1t seemed as though every one in the
rooms must have been remembered and
it kept number of assistants con-
stontlY busy distributing the gifts as
the names were called by Mr.. Bliss.
Every member of the Sunday school re-
ccived n present. in addition to which
were many gifts brought by friends
The exercises came to an end shortly
alter six O'Clock.
COLLEGE STREET CHURCH.
The parlors of the College street
congregational Church were filed Thurs
day night with little folks. who assem-
pied to celebrate Christmas. The eX-
orciScs opened at $50 o'clock and con-
sisted of singing by the school and
rcading by Miss Carrie Roberts. after
which Santa Claus, personihed by
lucius Jones, gave away large num-
h"r of Christmas gifts. A handsome
tree, gailY decorated, occupied u con-
spicuous place, and about it were loads
of good things After the presents had
been given away the little folks re-
paired to the dining hall, where an ap-
petizing supper had been prepared for
them.
All of the children at the Home of
Destitute Children had been invited to
the exercises and their bright. shining
faces testified to their enjoyment of the
occasion. After supper the time was
passed with games.
FIRST CHURCH.
The Christmas exercises of the First
% "
chapel of the church Thursday night. and
were largely attended by the children
and their elders. The first part of the
evening was given over to a Christ
mas cantata entitled santa Claus $
Mistake Following was the cast of
characters Santa Claus, Roger Mott
Of the l.. V NJ; Mabel Miss Frances
Woodbury.; Mollie, Miss Margaret
Merrill; Aunt Rachel. Miss Dixie Hatch !;
Dick. Charles Smith; Dot. Miss Helen
Merrill; selections by the junior and
senior choruscs. Following the enter
tainment the distribution of gifts from
the Christmas tree took place and
every younGster in the parlors was re-
membered by some useful gift.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The Christmas celebration at the Tn
itarian Church was held at 80 o'clock
Thursday night. The exercises consisted
OF the singing of carols by the Sunday
school and choir, rotations by some
of the younger pupils. a solo by Mil
dred Neill with organ accompaniment
and the distribution of gifts and candy
by Santa Claus ana his assistants. The
voice OF Santa Claus reminded some of
the Older persons present of Fred Neill.
The decorations Of the church were of
an elaborate character, consisting of
ropes of evergreen suspended from the
galleries, wreaths on the front of the
galleries and number Of small trees
placed at intervals along the gallery
rail. bell suspended over the center
aisle and a beautiful tree rising al
most to the ceiling and made bright
with electric light globes of many
colors.