The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-12-24
COMMUNITY TREE
ATTRACTED CROWD
John w. Gordon Delivered a
Short Talk Appropriate
to the Occasion

I munity christmas tree Idea iast evening
i Gathered about the stately fir tree, bur
| geonng with myriads OF colorful incan
7 descent lights and surmounted by shin
ing star of Bethlehem, was one of the
largest crowds that has gathered here
abouts in some time. Carol singing in
the fine, old, heartwarning strain, ant
brief speechmaking were among the more
noteworthy features of the get-together
1t was an inspiring, withal a gladstone
time. Inspiring because it served to EN-
phasize the common bond that knits
mankind together at Christmas time, and
gladsome because it revived, perhaps, the
real spirit that obtains at Christmas
tide.
The City parks north corner was
crowded when the hour for the exercises
arrived and three intersecting streets
took care of the overflow. In very
Ireal sense it was community affair.
Indeed, it went out beyond the bounds
of single community, for teams and
automobiles brought many visitors from
outlying towns. Located in the north
corner of the triangle, the tree is discern
ible from a long distance. A Scotch
mist hung over the park in the early
evening, but neither the mist nor its por-
tent of a smart shower that came after
ward could dampen the ardor of those
who sang and spoke or Of the crowd that
looked on and listened.
Mayor langley presided and his open
z remarks were followed by prayer
BY Rev. Edgar Grassland. Leaflets with
the order of exercises inscribed thereon,
which had been distributed before the
program began. enabled everyone to join
in singing "IIark, the Herald Angels
Sing" w. J. Gilbertson, cornetist, and
William Trembley, clarionetist, led the
singers for this selestion, as also for 1T
Came Upon the Midnight Clear" 20 Come
All We Faithful and "Mv Country, It's
of Thee Children Of the city schools
contributed much Of the melody, but it
was notable fact Mat most everyone
felt moved TO hum the carols and there
was goodly number, no doubt, who,
coming only to listsn, broke out inn
pulsively into song. Apupils Of the sew
enth and eight grades 81 the city schools
were noticeably to The fore in singing
"Silent Night" and Bethlehem" and fig |
ured prominently in the other selections.
Mrs. A. w Allen directed the children
and Mario Barberi and 0rpheus Bizzoze
70, cornetists, accompanied them.
John w. Gordon's brief address was
adapted TO the occasion and
was delivered with the earnestness that
usually characterizes his remarks on the
platform. The crowd listened attentive
" and there was a genuine ring 10 the
applause that greeted his diverting little
talk. In few words Mr.. Gordon re-
counted the origin and development of
he Christmas tree idea, referred happily Z
70 the circumstances which brought Barre ]
people together again in neighborizing
,ontact and in more serious vein re.
'ited an original poem, breathing the
ipirit Of Christmas and laying stress in !
fine way on the significance Of the
,irth Of Him whose nativity is commem-
rated at this season.
Mr.. Gordon's Tsn.
Mr.. Gordon's remarks aud the poem :
re given below in full;
A tsacher once asked her class: What Is q I
hat Ne mo-t need in all the world 10 make Us
erfcctiy happy :" small boy answered
The thineH We Amt got" while this nuniei-
sl tree beArs no fruit in the form % presents. Il
.hiie its branches are not loaded with the
hinRs We "Aint got," Il stands a symbol q 9
he Chrmtnas sentiment And Il 10 perhaps :
-usr reproduction q the hrt Christmas tree n
Iistory tells ~ that the hrrt Christmas trpS y
as a lighted sTergrcen. horne by an old man. Il
no cnrried Il into svery house and gnanted d
ngls wish - eseh q the inEatss. In time ths
q tree bearsr became our santa Cisus. pres
ne were added 70 the hshts. and Santa Clam u
D longer carries tnee frorr house 70 house. I,
y r1de ahosIi " a sieigh drawn ~ reindeer \
nrious descriptions ere Eiven ~ him bit iH
rslt century ago an American poet gnve q K
.arriptisn that is unique and aprruprsnte
Ist y is the Fenerpily nccrptcd one to-day.
o. sn REMEMBER the ps~-a. beginning y
''sTens the nisht before Ckristrnas and an In
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