The Republican journal., 1914-12-31

they had finished the feast the missionary boy
again told them the story of the birth Of
Christ. the star of Bethlehem, the shepherd,
tending their focks. the wise men of the east
and the song the angels sang. and then there
the missionaries had gathered, the same old
song that fioated over the hills of Judea on
that first Christmas morn.
"Now glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Good will henceforth from Heaven to men
Begin and never cease"
And this is how the Yuletide of the heather
became associated with the Christmas of the
Christian.
We hope and expect that every family in
Belfast will have q nice Christmas dinner to-
morrow, and if any one who knows of anybody
who is not likely to have one will notify Mr..
Slugg it will be provided.
We also hope and expect that all of the chill
dren will receive gifts of things they want. but
l am asked to say great many letters writ
ten to Santa Claus were received too late this
helpers, however, are doing the best they can.
Above all we hope and expect that you chill
dren will have the true Christmas spirit. If
you have any troubles. forget them. If you
have any enemies, forgive them. Re happy
yourselves and try to make everybody around
Won happy, and tomorrow will be a good
Christmas for you.
And now, as Mayor of the City, l wish all
of you children and all of your fathers and
mothers, brothers and sisters, grandfathers
and grandmothers, uncles, aunts, cousins.
friends and everybody in the City of Belfast, a
very Merry Christmas.
Loud and continued applause greeted the
mayor as he closed his inspiring remarks and
then the jingle of bells announced the coming
of Santa Claus, whose appearance was en-
Enthusiastically greeted by the expectant chill
dren He drove around the tree in space
that had been roped off, and then the chill
dren, who had been massed on the postoffice
steps for the singing. formed into line to re-
ceve their gifts of fruit, nuts and candy.
Later they were entertained by the manage
ment of the Colonial Theater with pictures
specially arranged for them, and Friday after
tained at a matinee by Manager Clifford of
the Opera House. Their singing from the
steps across the front of the postoftice was
one of the features of the program. The
accompaniments for the carols by the adults
were furnished by members of the band. All
joined in singing America, which closed the
exercises The tree will be lighted each night
until New Years.
The letters to Santa Claus, about two hum
dred were handled by special committee, who
were able to "answer" them satisfactorily.
There were no requests for automobiles, dia-
mond rings or grand pianos. Articles of use
and to wear were generally asked for.
Dinners were sent to between seventy and
eighty families, and it is believed that no
worthy case was overlooked and that every
reasonable request was granted, and the gen.
eral committee reported cash balance on
hand as nucleus for next years observance
of Christmas The committees, to whom the
success of the affair is due. were as follows:
Program Charles R. Coombs. Mrs. Charles
Bradbury, S A. Parker, Hon. R. F. Dunton.
Soliciting-Elon B. Gilchrest, Mrs. Amos
Clement, James H. Howes. Roscoe Black.
Tree-Rev. William Vaughan, Mrs. Edward
A. Wadsworth, O. E, Frost, Wilson Ellis.
Musical-Mrs. E. S. Pitcher, Rev. H. B. Sell
lers.
Distribution of Gifts-W. B. Woodbury., Mrs.
James C. Durham, Rev. W. F. Sturtevant, DR..
Carl Stevens, W. G. Hatch.
Publicity-Orrin J. Dickey, Miss Anne M.
Kittredge, Rev. H. S. Pearl.
General-Chairman M. L. Slugg; secretary.
Rev. A. A. Blair; treasurer. c. w. Wescott.