The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-25
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Christmas Is Pleasant One in
Kansas.
Celebrations at the Churches
Are Elaborate.
LITTLE ONES HAPPY.
Gifts for All of Them at the
Churches.
Gray Bearded Santa Claus a
Welcome Guest.
LITTLE ONES HAPPY.

One of the features of Christmas that
endears it to the juvenile bosom above
and beyond any of the other holidays
of the year is the fact that it lasts a
good deal longer than any of the rest.
It begins early on the night before, and
it lasts until the taps" sound from
the soldered horn as the last weary
celebrant abandons revelry for bed. On
Thanksgiving day the interest centers
about the dinner and, it finished, there
is nothing more. Fourth of July COM
pares favorably with winter it is true,
and it commences as early in the misty,
dewy morning as one is mindful to be-
gin. It also extends gratifying into the
night with the fireworks, but still it
has no night before Christmas prelude,
an item decidedly unfavorable to it in
the comparison. For therein lies the
superiority of Christmas.
The stocking is ready for it's station
above the fire place far in advance Of
time but final examination must be
made for holes whereby something
might be lost. The atmosphere of tense
interest in the arrangement of the
Christmas tree is ample excuse Tor
youthful insomnia while the positive
knowledge that there are bundles and
packages without number-a fact which
always seriously compromises the San
ia Claus theOry-breedS the excitement
germ until it permeates the very
dreams of its victims. Little Willie
is a case of fdgets which is remarkable
If it does not begin before 6 p. m, and
1t reaches the crisis about bed time. 1t
is bed time but not slumber time until
the case of Christmas eve f1dgetS has
worn it's owner to the verge of exhaus-
ton, to say nothing of the owners
parents. But this apprehension and
tension are the part of the whole af-
fair, which, while resulting in nothing
substantial, is remembered until next
Christmas. That is why that gray
bearded old piece of poetry, "The Night
Before Christmas" is still popular. In
its original form or some variation by
tableaux it appeared at probably half
the Christmas eve exercises last night
At the Christmas eve celebration at
the First Methodist Episcopal CHURCH
last night the children OF that church
did not receive presents as has been
the custom in that particular church
for many years past Instead of being
the recipients of Christmas gifts the
children were all requested to donate
whatever toys they could spare to give
to the poor children of the city. Toys
were not the only thing received, how
ever. Clothing and other useful articles
were donated and almost every kind of
food was well represented in the large
pile that was on exhibition on the plat
form during the entertainment.
The entertainment itself was a de-
lghtful one and was a success in every
particular. The church was tastefully
decorated with evergreen and holly
and quite holiday effect was obtained
by the use Of electric lights and a large
assortment of tinsel. The audience
was the feature of the evening. It was
an exceptionally large one. Every
member OF the congregation and all Of
their relations were there, but the lit
tie ones were probably the most in evil
cence. The unusually large attendance
on the part of the younger members of
Che church was probably due to a pre-
V1ous announcement which was to the
effect that in the last act of the enter
tainment Santa Claus would make his
appearance in a big red sleigh drawn
by several little boys dressed to repre-
sent Brownies. This feature of the en-
tertainment was fully up to the expec-
tatioas of the children. Santa Claus
the genuine article, so the master of
the ceremonies said-was last on the
programme and when he finally did
make his appearance he was greeted
by round of applause. Several little
boys then lowered themselves to the
positions of beasts of burden in the
absence of the traditional reindeer. and
santa Claus was drawn twice around
the room, during which time the other
children amused themselves nv throw
ing cotton snowballs at the old man.
another feature of the entertainment
was the reading of an original Christ
mas story by Mrs. Margaret Hill Nc
Carter
At the Congregational church all of
the children received presents as of old
an an enjoyable entertainment was held
a1ler which Santa Claus made his an
pearance from farther room in an air
snip santa Claus use of this modern
NehicIe was explained by the superin-
tenuent OF the Sunday school who said
that on account of the lack of snow a
slelgh was out of the question and that
as It was feared that a wagon might
pLedk 4oWn II was thought best to use
AlISnln. ale,r, fs,,.,
chliuren all right. In fact they didn't
care how Santa came so long as he did
come and brought plenty of candy with
hlin- Ihey were not disappointed
At the First Presbyterian church the
monday decorations were probab more
extensive than at any other church in
the CITY Ihree Illuminated arches had
been placed midway of the aisles of the
church and with these together with a
liberal supply of ground pine and ever
green, the desired effect was obtained
Organ voluntary
Prayer. by DR.. ]. D. Countermine.
Song. by kindergarten, Little Lord
Recitation by Benjamin Adams, kris
Kringle." -
Song by primary department, Christ
Recitation by Lucille Frank seyVben
Jesus Came
Song by primary department, Long
Time Ago"
Song No. 81 by the Sunday school
Joy to the World
Lesson review.
Song, No. So. by the Sunday school
While Shepherds Watched
christmas pictures.
Recitation by Louise McNeaf sAnnie
and Willie's Prayer"
Recitation by John Beal. 1.-THE Night
Before Christmas
Claus.
At the First Christian church last
evening the programme of recitations