The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-12-29
seven were received into membership

seven were received into membership.
Service at Hope Chapel.
The service at the Hope Chapel
Sunday afternoon was conducted
along the lines of a Christmas pro-
gram. But the real celebration Of
Christmas at the chapel will take
place on Wednesday evening at 1880.
There will be Christmas tree, and
the little folks, CARRIED in costumes of
many different countries of the world,
will tell in verse how Christmas is
spent in this and that land. The teach
ers have worked very hard getting the
children ready for the exercises.
Eagles Entertained Children.
About eight hundred children at
afternoon from 1870 to 2:30 as the
guests OF the Mankato Lodge of Eagles
Several very good comedies were put
on, which were greatly enjoyed by
the children. The street car company
gave the children free ride to and
from the theatre. AS the children
passed out after the performance they
were each given a half pound sack of
candy. Those on the committee were
Henry Robel, ST., Swan Nordgren and
Walter Plymat. The Eagles also pre-
pared forty-five baskets, containing
groceries and provisions, which they
distributed among needy families in
the city. A committee of ten was ap-
pointed to look after this. $3.50 was
expended by the lodge.
Singing BY Choral Society.
Wonderful indeed was the Christ
mas spirit which prompted the sing
ing of Christmas carols through the
streets of Mankato on Christmas eve,
and the fact was universally remarked
both by the citizens, and especially
by strangers in Mankato. The mem
bers of the Choral society, under the
direction of Mrs. H. A. Patterson, met
at the Saulpaugh hotel about nine
o'clock, and were joined by number
of the singers of the city, who &C
companied them on their trip. Christ
mas carols were sung in the Saul
paugh and Heinrich hotels, and in
both hospitals. Neil Nielsen, and the
Windmiller company, florists, had been
very generous with gifts of flowers to
the patients in the hospitals, and the
floral offerings were presented to the
patients by the singers. Although
somewhat delayed in arriving at the
hospital the singers found that the
inmates were patiently awaiting them,
and evinced great pleasure in the
sweet songs. Wherever the singers
journeyed they were enthusiastically
received. The citizens had decorated
their homes with candles, which
burned bright welcome into the
night, and the big Star of Bethlehem,
made of electric lights, which had or
namented the interior of the Presby-
terrain church, was brought out and
shone brilliantly from the front of the
church as a beacon light. About sew
enty-five singers took part in the
journey, and the carols sung were
"Hark, the Herald Angels Sing;"' at
Came Upon the Midnight Clear"
"Holy Night 20 Come All Ye Faith
full" and 20 Little Town of Bethle-
hem" The society expressed great
appreciation for the courtesy of Man
ager Thyse of the Electric Traction
company in furnishing street cars for
the tip, whoever tey could be used.
The singers passed many homes
where the aged or those on beds of ill
ness might hear the Christmas carols,
and windows and doors were opened
along the way to bid them welcome,
while the mates of the homes en-
Enthusiastically applauded the singers,
and their spirit of Christmas cheer.
Exercises Were Appropriate.
Appropriate and very impressive
Christmas services were held at Trim
ity Lutheran church on Sunday and
Monday morning and Monday after
noon, with singing by the choir Eng
lish Christmas services were held at
Lake Crystal Sunday afternoon by
the pastor, Rev. Henry Moss, and Nor
wegian Christmas tree services yes
terday afternoon. Christmas services
were held by Rev. Moss at the Decoria
church this morning. This evening
Christmas tree services will be held
in the local church at which the Sun
day school class will give program.
Tree at Episcopal Church.
Sunday evening, Christmas was
beautifully and appropriately cele-
brated by the Sunday school of ST.
Johns Episcopal church. Gifts were
distributed from large and beauti-
fully decorated tree. Carols and
hymns were sung, scripture was read
and recitations and other numbers
were given by members of the
school.
The Sunday school has furnished
the tree for the Christmams Sunday
school exercises of the Salvation ar
my, which are to be held tomorrow
night.
Midnight Services Held.
Midnight services took place
Christmas eve at st. Johns Episco-
pal church The services commenced
at 1880 p. M and ran into Christ
mas morning. There was a choral
celebration of the holy communion.
Rev. G. J. Shut was the celebrant.
The choir was in the charge of Miss
Gertrude Nerbovig, leader. Miss
Dorothy Scott was the Organist;
Alexis Parlova was violinist; Edgar
Weaver, crucifier; and Robert Brown,
Jr., crossbearer The choir included
Mrs. E. w. Owen, Misses Mildred
Oleson, Loretta Oleson, Katherine
Wise, Hester Black, Louise Nerbovig,
Dorothy La Due, Eloise La Due, Lu-
Gle Fisher, Betty Pendergast, Mrs.
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