Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-25
AUGUSTA CHURCHES
HOLD CHRISTMAS
SERVICES SUNDAY
Large Congregations in Attend
ance at Morning Services and
All Enjoy the Sermons and
the Beautiful Music-Several
Churches Hold Children's
Concerts in the Evening

The Christmas services in the city
churches on Sunday were much more
elaborate than is the usual custom. APP
propriate sermons and fine musical pro-
grams commemorating the day in fit
ting manner. At the Penney Memorial
church ]. F. MacNichol directed in his
capable manner one Of the finest musical
programs ever given in this church at
any time. A solo. "Glory to Heavens
Eternal King" by DR.. Mary c. Coughlin
was feature. and the choir, composed
of DR.. Mary c. Coughlin, Mrs. Edwin C..
Burleigh. Benjamin F. Stuber and Bryce
Little, with Mrs. John NJ. Robinson at the
organ. was remarkably fine in effect. In
the evening at an elaborate Christmas
concert was given by the Sunday school,
long and well-chosen program being
rendered by the young folks. some of the
numbers being musical, others Rotations
and readings. The concert was a very
appropriate one and was thoroughly ap-
preciated.
At the Winthrop street Universalist
church in the morning a fine choir COM
posed of well-known local singers rem
dered series of appropriate and beauti-
full selections, Mrs. F. L. Dutton accom-
panying with the organ. In the choir
were Miss Florence H. Moody, Mrs. j. F,
Dyer, Samuel Titcomb and J. F. Dyer.
and their work is too well-known and APP
preciated to need any especial comment
here except that it was greatly enjoyed.
At the Green street Methodist church
fine musical program was carried
through, a feature being fine vocal solo
by F. S. H. Callaghan. the selection being
.There were Shepherds And at the
South Parish Congregational church the
morning services were out of the ordina-
nv. Besides fine musical program the
sermon, delivered by Prof. Wilmot b.
Mitchell, A. NJ, was Of a sort that could
not fail to make deep impression on the
congregation. The White Gift vesper at
o'clock contained musical numbers or
unusual merit. particularly the SOLO work
of Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Anderson
Several fine Rotations were also
given and the presentation OF the
white Gifts" by the various Sunday
school classes was an unusually inter-
esting feature. At the Winthrop street
Baptist church in the morning the
new quartet made it's first appearance
and rendered several selections in a
manner to reflect credit on its mem
bers. A solo by Mrs. Lottie Reed was
an especially fine part of the program
and the Christmas sermon The I'm
speakable Gift" delivered by the pas
tor, Rev. E. S. Philbrook, was a par
ticular stirring one. The Christmas
concert which was given at TAO p. NJ,
was we'll attended, and the church was
decorated at this time with ever
green's and a beautiful electric star
over the altar. The title of the service
was 1.-The Star of Glory" and it con-
sisted of the reading of the birth of
the Saviour by the pastor, and selected
music by the chorus choir, which prov
ed very effective and pretty.
Two vocal solos by Mrs. Lottie Reed
and beautiful solo entitled Lullaby"
rendered by Mrs. Benjamin Gay, were
attractive features.
The Unitarian church observed the
day with special music in the morning,
several fine anthems which were inter-
spersed with vocal solos OF high or
der being rendered. At p M. a spe-
cial Christmas day vesper service, at
which the cantata, THE Coming Of the
King" is full Of wonderful melodies,
was rendered by the regular quartet,
assisted by Samuel Titcomb, Mr.. HAYS
and Clyde Long. THE Prophecy" by
Miss Noble and Virgins Lullaby" by
Mrs. Long, were very attractive fea-
lures Of this service. It was a busy
day for the churches. and the features
which had been prepared showed that
much work had been carried out, but
the results more than justified the