The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-24
SANTA CLAUS DAY
Christmas Observance Will Be-
gin This Evening.
Trees Loaded With Toys for the
Children.
EARLY 1NTHE EVENING
Nearly All Entertainments Will
Begin Early.
Solemn High Mass at Church of
Assumption.
,ARLY THE EVENING

With overcoat collars turned up for
comfort but with willing hands the Sun
day school and church workers of the
city have been busy today preparing for
the reception OF Santa Claus upon his
annual tour Of the world. In most of
the churches of Topeka tonight the
good saint will find many impatient
children waiting for him. Only few
of the Sunday schools have decided to
dispense with the Christmas eve exer-
cises which are commonly considered a
part of the school curriculum. All day
today decorations of varying degrees of
elaboration have been in process of ar
rangement in the churches where the
observances are to take place.
Probably in no church in Topeka has
more care and outlay of money been
made than in the First Presbyterian
church where the exercises will com
mence at 7 o'clock this evening. Ever
green, cotton batting and painted seen
cry have been used in profusion. Elec-
trical effects and brilliant illumination
and the use of StereOpticon pictures will
help out in the entertainment of the
congregation. Three illuminated arches
have been placed midway of the aisles
of the church. But the principal deco
rations are at the front. On very long
design across the entire front of the
choir loft has been raised the wording,
-.Of His Kingdom There Shall be No
End This is worked in white and
evergreen.
Draperies of ground pine, white and
tinsel bedeck the whole front of the
and the cabin that has been prepared
for the uses of Santa Claus. The tree
will be shorn of it's precious burden as
the closing act of the entertainment,
s.1. rznfxy to
siderable impatience on the part of the
youngest of the primary department
But very excellent programme has
been arranged for the evening. 1t will
be as follows:
Organ voluntary.
Prayer by DR.. J. D. Counternine. J
Song by kindergarten. Little Lord
Jesus"
Recitation by Benjamin Adams,
Kris Kringle."
Song by primary department,
"Christmast Carol
Recitation by Lucille Frank. when
Jesus Came
Song by primary department. Long
Time Ago"
Song. No. 81. by the Sunday school.
Joy to the World
Lesson review.
Song, No S. by the Sunday school,
while Shepherds Watched
Christmas pictures.
Recitation by Louise McNea1, Annie
and Wtllie's Prayer"
Recitation by John Beal, 1.-THE Night
Before Christmas
Distribution of presents by Santa
Claus
stereoDticon pictures will be thrown
upon the sheet at the front of the
room. The Christmas pictures will con-
slsts of views from the childhood of
Christ and other appropriate pictures.
CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION.
Two solemn high masses will be sung
at the Church of the Assumption to-
morrow The first will begin at a. m.
Inc Ihe service at 1920 a; m. will be sim
liar to it. Rev Father Hayden will
preach short sermons at both services.
He will be the celebrant while Father
Harrigan will be deacon. An ecclesi-
astic from St Marys will occupy the
position OF sub-deacon. The music at
the early morning service will open
with Millard's mass in F. The offer
tory will be the old chant, "Adeste
F1delis" Among the solos of the mass
Will be EFT In Carnatus Est" tenor, by
Mr.. Joseph Heinish; Gratis Agemus,"
alto, Miss Mary Wyatt; ''Crucifixus
Est, bass solo, by Mr.. Thomas Mackey.
and "Agnus Del" by Mr.. Heinish. Mrs
Kate Griley, organist, will render sew
eral short soprano parts. The service
at iO:5O a. M will be much like the
first but viii close with the benediction
GRACE CATHEDRAL
At Grace Cathedral at 5 o'clock this
afternoon the children's celebration will
be held. The Christmas tree with the
distribution of gifts in the usual form
win be included in this. At 7:30 O'Clock
Christmas morning Holy Communion
service will take place at 1920 o'clock
The singing of Christmas carols and
anthems and the second celebration of
Holy Communion will be made parts of
this service.
FIRST M E. CHURCH.
The usual order of Christi ma service
has been transposed at the First Meth
odist church. Instead of a distribution
of gifts among the children of the
Sunday school the members of that
body and of the church proper have
been asked to gather this evening and
contribute from their abundance to
charities among the poor. All sorts of
articles are asked for. Food, money and
used on Christmas day in cooperation
with Mrs Thorpe at the police station
and the Salvation Army.
THE SALVATION ARMY.
The greatest celebration of it's his
tory will be held by the local post of
the Salvation Army this year at its
hall at 312 Kansas avenue tonight and
Christmas day. For weeks the Army
people have been canvassing the town
for food, and money and for old toys
and clothing that could be cleaned and
made over The toys and clothing have
been piled in the Army quarters and
the rooms have been converted into a
workshop for their repair. Playthings
that have seen service at homes of the
well to do have been freely contributed
and are being glued up or painted so
that they can better perform their ser
vice of pleasing the children of the i'll
favored of fortune. Tonight a great
Christmas tree that fills the rear end
of the Army hall will yield its burden
to the f1ocks of children who will ap-
pear there Tomorrow the hall will be
transformed into a dining hall with
long. benches while in the rear gasoline