The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-12-27
ALL Celebrate
SPEND CHRISTMAS IN CHURCH
AND AT HOME-FUN FOR
LITTLE FOLKS.

without mining at the SlIeel rev
elry which occasionally enters into
Yuletide celebrations, yet joyous in
the knowledge that the whole COM
munity had been afforded an oppor-
tunity to take part in the merry MAX
ing, Madison citizens Christmas eve
and Christmas day engaged in q
whole souled observance of the fes-
tive season. That this is a city of
home lovers there was no room for
doubt in the minds of the compare
lively few strangers who had found it
necessary to spend the day away from
their families.
During the afternoon business was
almost entirely suspended, and it was
remarked hat although the day was
an ideal one for this time Of year,
there were fewer people on the
streets than there usually are on Sun
day afternoons.
Day and Night at Home.
While the moving picture theaters
enjoyed a good patronage Christmas
night. the business section of the city
was almost totally deserted before
$50 o'clock. Bright rays of light
streaming from the windows of hun
dreds of residences at that hour, how
ever, belied the thought that the
town was sleeping. and faint strains
Of vocal and instrumental music
heard in different quarters by scurry-
ing, belated homegoers. gave evil
dence that the populace had no
thought of shortening its Christmas
day.
In all but three of the city's
churches there were Christmas trees
on Christmas ave One of the
churches. the First Presbyterian. held
its exercises on the preceding night.
Fun for Little Ones.
1t is estimated that there were at
least 1926 homes in which trees were
set up. Dealers who disposed of all
the trees they had. reported that
about $50 had been sold. and it is
believed that only about a dozen or
so of these were used at public gath
erings.
Special Christmas services were
held in the Methodist Episcopal.
First Presbyterian, st. Thomas Cath
Ollie, German, Baptist, First Baptist,
J Synod Lutheran, Episcopal and Unit
ed Lutheran.
There was a good attendance in
most of the churches, although it is
thought that on account of Christmas
falling on the last day of the week,
I many on account of the extra exer-
ton that had been their lot in pre-
pairing for the celebration, decided
not to attend services on both days.
Themes Touch on Christ.
At the Methodist Episcopal church
Rev. G y. Brown had for his text,
For Unto You Is Born This Day in
the City of David, a Saviour. Which
Is Christ, the Lord" The thought
was the better observance of Christ
mas. Rev. Mr.. Brown said that q
more general exultation of Christ
should mark the Christmas day.
All of the pews in st. Thomas
church were occupied when midnight
mass was celebrated by Rev. Mgr. T.
A. Flynn. Rev. Mgr. Flynn's theme
was '"The Proof of Christ's Divinity"
The clergyman said that while he
knew that not all those present were
of his faith, he could not help but
think that none would deny there is
a common Christ, who is divine.
AT the Episcopal church Rev. Il.
Wilson took for his text, Thy Gates
Shall Be Open Continually; They
Shall Not BE Shut Day Nor Night"
Rev. Mr.. Wilson touched upon
Christ's opening of the kingdom Of
God TO all believers, when he came
to the earth.
Rev. Roy l.. Palmerton, pastor Of
the First Baptist church, told at his
Sunday sermon that the m born of
Mary was the child of Mary after the
flesh, but the Son of God after the
spirit. Rev. Mr.. Palmerton discussed
the text under the theme, Jesus
Christ, the Man of the Ages"
THE Return of the Shepherd from
Bethlehem" was the basis of the dis
course given by Rev. Mr.. Pfeiffer at
the German Baptist church.
A stereopticon lecture, The Land
of Sacred story" was given by Rev.
G. McKibbin at the First Presbyterian
church. Views were given of the
birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem,
where David was born. Jesus min
Cling with the disciples, the tomb and
the ascension.
For his text Rev. Olin Reigstad at
the United Lutheran church, took
Luke 2:1-14, Unto You This Day a
King Is Born"
AT the Synod Lutheran church,
Rev. Alfred Nelson, the pastor, spoke
of the Christ's birth as the greatest
event in the worlds history. and of
the influences his visit to the earth
had had upon mankind.