The Republican journal., 1914-12-24
Christmas in the Churches.


Sunday, Dec goth, was very generally op-
served as Christmas Sunday in the churehes'
with the exception of St. Francis, whose pastor,
Rev, Father James F. Keaey of Waterviiie'
was ill and unable to come to Belfast.
At the Universalist church the decorations
were simple and very effective. The pulpit
was draped in white with sprays OF smail
branches of holly, large bouquet OF chrysan-
tn emums praced the pulpit. Small evergreen
trees made pretty background. Misses Edith
M. Southworth and E. Frances Abbott were
the committee on decorations. The sermon by
Rev. Arthur A. Blair was based on three
stories, First, that of the early life OF Christ
and its later sacrifice; second. the life and les
sons drawn from an athlete whose physical
strength was injured, thereby bringing out
wonderful moral strength; and the last the
lesson drawn from Washington at Valley
Forge on Christmas, The discourse had close
attention and was highly commended by
all who heard it. A collection was taken for
a Christmas fund for the needy.
At the Unitarian church Mrs. Eugene l..
Stevens and Mrs. M. L. Slugg arranged the
decorations, which were very attractive. There
was background of small trees, with laurel
wreaths and holly about the pulpit and in the
windows. Large punches of chrysanthemums
were used on the communion table and on the
pulpit. The sermon was appropriate to the
season and was given by Rev. Joseph Cady
Allen of Boston, who came instead OF Rev. u.
B. Boivin of Middleboro. Mass. who was I'M
able to keep his appointment.
At the Methodist church the decorations
were in Christmas greens, cut flowers and
bells. The sermons at both services by the
pa stor, Rev. Horace B. Sellers, we're approprl-
ate to the season. The morning sermon was
on Gods Christmas Gift and in the evening,
"God or Myth" The attendance was good,
At the Baptist church there was no attempt
at decoration, but there were two good Christ
mas sermons by the pastor and special Christ
mas music by the regular choir with VIM. W.
Lower clarinetist, at the morning service and
Rev. Haraden S. Pearl of the North church
assisting in the evening service. The Junior
congregation were much in evidence at the
morning service, to receive the Bibles and
tes taments for which they had worked the
past year. The following received Bibles for
both attendance and CO. operation: Ira Trundy,
Ruth and Clarence Sturtevant, Alice and
Estelle Sanborn, Marion Rhoades, Elmer Perk-
ms, Adelaide and Vivian Howard. Bernice
Holt, Katherine Frost, Arnold Collins and Law
renee Curtis. The following received Testa-
ments for attendance: William Norris, Olive
Michaels, Dorothy Decrow. Geraldine and Ru-
dolph Cassens, Ada and Airline Curtis, Irva
Allen and Verna Wiley. Small Testaments
were presented as Christmas gifts to these:
Pearl Gilchrist Edna Trundy, Christy Heal,
Louise Ellis, Trueman Roberts, Eva Dutch,
Beatrice Dutch, Caroline Whitehead, Julia
Lttlefsd, Louise Weber. Ralph Hubbard,
Harriet McKinnon, Lena De Laney, Ruth
Smalley, Castanous Smalley. Alwilda Drury.
Kenneth Colcord, Clayton Colcord, Ethel
Dexter, Albert Morey. Eula Wiley. Edith
Fowles; Dorothy Cassens, Ralph Perkins, Joe
Perkins, Lena Weaver, Hubert Smith, Isabel
Coombs, Harold Staples. Eleanor Talbot. Mil
bred Talbot, Priscilla Gray. Alberta Allen,
Florence Ray. Walter Paige, Violet Dexter,
Ralph Holt Arthur Macdonald, Charlie Carter,
Ralph Roberts, Hazel Perkins. Leona Innis.
Award Craig, Tom Craig, Keith Weymouth.
At the North church the decorations were
Christmas greens, garlands, wreaths of lau
rel and holly. The sermon by the pastor. Rev.
Haraden S. Pearl, was 1.-THE Dream Of the
Ages" At p. M there was special service
for the children in place of the customary
Christmas tree. The altar was draped in
white and there was a white cross over the
communion table. After a selection by the
choir special exercises were given by the chill
dren, followed by readings by Miss Ida Carle-
ton and Mrs. John R. Dunton, who gave the
story of the origin of the White Gift legend.
The pastor gave a short address on "The
King of Kings" and then the Sunday school,
by classes, distributed their gifts of money
and many other things, all in white wrapplngs,
at the foot of the cross and on the table, to be
distributed later among those in need.
At the Mason Mills chapel there was no at
tempt at decoration, but Rev. David Brackets
sermon on Peace and Good Will'' was greatly
enjoyed by his audience. At Trinity Reformed
Church.~th Christmas services will be held
tomorrow, Friday. evening.