The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-27
MERRY YULETIDE
BRINGS JOY TO
ALL BRIDGEPORT
Magnificent Musical Programs in
Many Churches Make Day
Memorable
Theatres Thronged Yesterday as
Observance of Holiday Closes
Shops, Stores and Offices

Christmas music such as has rarely
been equalled in former observances of
the great feast day of the Christian
world, was heard in most churches
throughout the city on Sunday. AZ
the First Presbyterian church the big
congregation was enthralled with the
strains Of Christmas music from a new
harp attachment. installed In the or
gan as Christmas gift from DIR. /,
DeVer Warner. 8tt
At st. Augustines. church the EN-
ployment OF the chimes and the ineav-
emily voices in the rendition Of the
Christmas hymns made the strains Of
the immortal melody a thing Of rare
beauty. ~
Catholics assisted at the Christmas
mass at various hours. beginning with
a midnight mass at the Hungarian r.
G. church in the. West End. and con-
tinuing at various hours until the last
mass in all churches at 10:30. In the
larger churches the last mass, and in
several instances the first mass. were
solemn high celebrations. Attendance
was as usual the largest at any feast
day in the year.
Yesterday at the Bridgeport Christ
ian Union Mission dinners were served
to 81 men. Last night a stereopticon
lecture was given by Rev. Charles W.
Simpson. in charge Of the mission.
Fannie J. Crosby. the aged and blind
hymn writer. spoke Sunday afternoon
to the destitute men at the mission.
Clothing and food were distributed to
the needy from the mission yesterday.
Observance OF Christmas WIS general
throughout the city yesterday. Save
in extreme cases. Judge Wilder in the
city court gave as a Christmas gift to
offenders brought before him, . .sus-
pension of sentence: Practically all
shops. stores and offices were closed.
The City Hall was as quiet az q tomb.
Even the bartenders had a day off,
and they celebrated witch q. smoker IN
the union hall in Bank street. bidding
their employers as their guests.
The score Of moving picture shows
throughout the city were packed most
all afternoon and evening. At Jack
sons Theatre two capacity audiences
witnessed 1.-The Queen Of the High
way At Polls hundreds. unable to
buy seats even for several days ahead.
ance of vaudeville. Every stretch Of
ice within easy distance OF the trolley
cars was well patronized by skaters.
The annual Christmas tree Of the
Arion society brought gladness to
about 80 youngsters in Arion hall yes
terday. President Peter Humme1 led
the march Of the little folks about the
hall and a Santa Claus whose voice re-
minded the grown-ups strikngly OF
Paul Mertens. distributed the gifts
from a big tree that sagged beneath
the weight of many gifts.
will be the principal feature of the
Christmas social at the First Baptist
church, at 7:3O tonight.
At the First English Lutheran
church, Grove street and Laurell ave
nue., the Christmas celebration was
held at O'Clock last evening. The
church was filled Congregational
singing and a Christmas tree were the
features. Rev. e. r. Cooper spoke
briefly. extending the compliments Of
the season to the merry gathering.
Three days Of continuous celebration
have made the Christmas at the
Bridgeport Orphan Asylum one Of the
most enjoyable in the history Of that
institution Showered with gifts,
feastedto their fill. the children will
recall the Christmas for many "a day.
Children at st. Vincent's hospital
were delighted with a Christmas tree
arranged in their ward by Miss Irene
Davis. the little daughter Of s. T. Da-
Wis, president of the Locomobile Co. of
America. Her father is convalescing
at the hospital from an operation for
appendicitis. The little girl spent
Christmas with her parent and en-
ployed part of her time in preparing
the Christmas for the stricken little
folks. Mrs.F. D.. Baker sent many
toys for the children. and Mrs. J. Muir
ray johnson sent a wealth OF hand
some decorations.
Members of the Acorn Club held
their first annual banquet In their
Sunday evening Among the enter
tanners were Whiting and Heath. Mr..
Fisher, George Westman. and JOHN
FITZGERALD.