The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-12-29
SWANTON.


Too bad! that Swanton in her literally
circulated invitations for the Christmas
holidays, should have inadvertently
dropped Oakland from memory. But
don't you cry, Mr. Editor, cling to hope.
Swanton's memory may be better next
holiday" and Oakland may be the proud
recipient of an invitation. Well, all of
US stood like nice little fellows on glad
some side of the sweet season of Peace
and Good Will.
Taking time rather by the forelock
in the race with KrlsS Kringle the
pupils of the Anderson Chapel Sunday
school, with bright faces and neat
dresses, gathered Friday afternoon.
Dec. 23rd, at the residence of their su-
perintendent and each received a pack
age of such things as seldom fail to
build a Christmas in the youthful heart.
With the package those who had won
faultless record during the year were
honored by evidences of their fidelity.
On the following evening, Saturday
the oath inst, members and friends of
the United Brethren denomination. had
the interior of their church profusely
trimmed with evergreens woven in
ropes and loops of graceful curvings
over the spacious room; the walls pref
tily festooned and adorned with many
handsome constructed designs. Those
directing the management merit full
measure of praise for the scope and
success of their accomplishments. The
Rev. Mr.. Johnson, pastor of the flock,
was on hand as steady balance through
the many varying proceedings. Their
programme was well conceived and so
iudiciously directed as to escape the dull
sameness so difficult to avoid in long
list of recitals. Every part from start
to finish was clearly devoted to children.
1t was their evening and every feature
was but a factor in an embodiment of
their will and wish. The Christmas
tree was shapely one with its stately
crest towering high above the chancel
rail. After candies. plums, nuts and,
in the language of the auctioneer, other
things too numerous to mention, had
been generously distributed to members
of the school, as if to concisely demon
strate what is actual between the sweet
and the sour, your correspondent was
poked forward for a few remarks. Fol-
lowing rather an aimless ramble and
rattle before the candy eaters, he reach
ed his final with, you may understand,
extraordinary elation over the honor of
addressing an audience so busy with
possessions and so contented in remain
ing, and, IN backing to his seat, he
turned to sedate old pillar of the faith,
and blandly asked, "did | speak too
long?" to which the honest answer
sprang from the heart, 'it was right
long;.the people were getting restless.
If restless even while feasting on such
good things, without that strong induce
ment to tolerance, my fate might have
rivaled even that of Oakland in the
hour of her disappointment.
And, also. Swanton in this suspension
of her busy days, has been having more
than ordinary attractions in her Town
Hall. " Moving pictures of thrilling
amazement and strange lntricacies are
delighting our people. 1t is said that
these beautiful presentations of the Won
derous happenings of the Orient are
wildly bringing before the community
the same facts today heard in the ser
mons and prayers of Chrisendom.
Now sir, if you will spruce in evening
attire and come down to Swanton for
tonight's entertainment, as kind of
soothing poultice upon your wounded
side, l will see to it that the most com
handing private box you may select
shall be assigned as yours to view the
production of those events of which
angels sang and apostles wrote. All of
these mention from word and picture
point descriptively to the central festi-
val in the whole calendar of the religi-
Gus world with foundation so broadly
established and a historic support so
universally accepted as to embrace
more largely concurrent acquiescence
than that of any other festival of any