The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-01-03
SPOTSYLvANIA
Some OF the Christmas observation-disclosures
to Hear from King Gsogs-PeTsonaI Notes,

Sunlight, Va, Dec. 3lst, 1906.
Comfortably domicied in our new
home, our friends ale calling and extend
ing TO us the welcome cnurtesles due IN
coming settlers, making us feel at home
among them.
On Wednesday evening we attended
Goshen Baptist church, there being a
pretty \mas tree on which were remem-
brances OF esteem and rewards OF mer-
itorious and faithful service in the Sun
day school during the past year. Snpt.
Graves opened the exercises 10y reading
a portion ofScripture, followed by prayer,
then appropriate hymns were sung by
the choir, a mall Organist rendering the
music. The superintendent then gave a
terse and iOrctiul address, setting forth
our duties and the Importance OF not
only faithful, but thorough and well
planned ideas, before engaging in any
calling. A program OF exercises was
well carried out by various members OF
the Sunday school, after which the pres
ents were distributed from the tree, not
a single member being overlooked
Large walters of delicious cakes OF differ
ent kinds were then handed To the audi
ence. and still some remained. Good
order prevailed and punctualty In the
management enabled everyone living a
reasonable distance To he at home in sea
sOnabe bedtime. and | think everyone
present felt il was good 10 be there.
Next y. III. exercises and gifts were dts
tributed at Berea Christian church,
which we were unable 10 attend.
On Thursday evening ths Nmas exer-
cises were held, and large tree well COW
cred with pre sents and considerable Orna-
mental trimming was displayed at Zion
Methodist church. A large amount oil
work and care Were here given by the
committee ON decorations. Several bells
aud fancy trimmings reaching overhead
and crossing at various angles made q
very attractive scene. the pulpit also be-
ing decorated. rendering more brilliance
in the lighting 10y the chandelier and
side lights. Alter hy INNS rendered 10y the
choir. the pastor opened with prayer,
aud a lengthy program OF eNerclses was
most thoroughly carried out. show ing
In selections. as we'll Us delivery, great
care had been expended in the training.
We must especially refer To several pieces
rendered by six little girls, the seventh
dropping in and filing her place very
nicely as was done III the preceding ex-
ercises: also duet rendered by two
Misses. one of whom as scarcely a. tall
as the organ. Here also every scholar
was remembered and We who had come
in at the eleventh hour, received the same
rewards as those " no had labOred the
whole year, and no grumbliag about 1t
either. as was done in Scriptural times,
even when more was given us. Good
order prevailed, the superintendent re-
quest ting before opening there should be
no appauding orstamping. These exer-
cises as we have seen them at both OF
these churches certainly bespeak a bright
er future for them, these children 80 thor
oughly trained in youth possessing
such as have only been
attainable by a small percentage OF
their membership heretofore. Two
prizes were awarded here for merit in
different lines, the pastor delivering them
in a few ielicitOus remarks, appropriate
and amusing.
The quiet pervading the country dur
ing the holiday week was noticeable and
business seemed practically suspended,
and the week devoted to rest from the
labors Of the closing year and prepara-
tiOn for the incoming season OF 1900.
The output OF lumber in ties, sawed and
hewed, plank and square material is inl-
mense in this county, and large amounts
of money are circulated in taking this
from the stump to the planning mill or
shipments TO Northern markets Tor man
ufacture.
One gentleman in our vicinity who
has been striving for years to reach the
pole, has now encouraging prospects,
not only to reach the north pole, but to
bring both north and south poles to-
gether, thus attaining an enviable fame
for Iosterity, and we sincerely wish him
success with the hope he may attain
thereto, with still long life OF further
usefulness before him.
The accident to the colored man,
Lewis, whose death is supposed to have
been caused by being iammed by car
door in Alexandria whilst he was
standing in the opening, was a sad affair,
and he will be missed in the community.
Miss Camille Marie Hoge, who has been
at Wirtland Seminary since September
Let. came home on Friday to spend
Xmas holidays with parents at the
Block House, and will return on Tues
day, January 1st, as during that week
the schools generally throughout the
country will reopen.
The recent freeze has enabled those
having icehouses to secure supply from
3 to 4 inches thick, with very favorable
conditions for gathering. Our
climate is very capricious and general
thaw set in Thursday and so mild and
damp that night that no ice formed.
However, despite predictions, it is time
enough yet for full winter OF cold, even
before the March blasts whistle drearily
the bare trees.
Your correspondent is now writing
this enroute to Washington for a two
days furlough, to help recuperate and re-
store wasted energy in the strenuous
just passed through, thinking
also perhaps some of his friends might
query what has become of him.
Now we want to hear from our old
OF King George OF q New Era
as mentioned in recent letter, yet no
objection will be raised should another
more progressive and energetic Enter
prise arise to herald the progress for
which we have struggled, and which has
at last materialized by q new and
thorough system of road building, as
well. we trust, in an improved public
school training, great opportunities hav-
ing been afforded to those who availed
themselves of them by attending the con-
vention in Richmond some weeks ago.
En- route home after pleasant tea at
the residence OF W. S. Hoge, PRESIDENT OF
The Hoge & Mcdowell Co, where we
met several Western relatives from
illinois. Progressive, alias Enterprise.