The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-24
CHRISTMAS m LOCAL CHURCHES
Continued from Page ~

First Baptist church was especially
uplifting. The organ and the
choir anthems with solos by Miss Green
and Miss Hawley were much enioved.
The pastors address on Why Christ
mas Came" gave a new viewpoint on the
past, present and future of the Christmas
idea.
| The White Gifts for the King" serv-
| ice of the Bible school was verv largely
attended last evening. The platform was
covered with white cloth. the choir rail
| ing likewise. as were also the large tables
!eXtending across the entire width Of the
! platform in front The auditorium was
/ Cram. began playing softly familiar
( Christmas airs.
/ The Bible school filed in from the
/ chapel at either side entrance. led by the
pastor and the superintendent. and took
seats so quietly that one who was not
| looking would scarcely have known they
were coming.
A. they were all seated the choir sang
| in the chapel While Shepherds Watched
! Their Flocks bv Night to the old tune
Christmas. and following this they en-
! tered the choir gallery singing II Came
/ Upon the Midnight Clear.
| Miss Greene, soprano, and her friend
| Miss Hutchins, sang Holy Night and a.
i the lights were turned on Mrs. Smith
! led the congregation in ID responsive
prayer. Mrs. Smith, the assistant pastor,
\ also told the legend Of Csthay. from
which this white gifts service has sprung
also the legend Of the high up chimes, "
which only rang when the gift offered was
most worthy OF praise and acceptance OF
tod
\ song by the primary department was
/ followed by a dialogue by Miss Julia 81
monds and Gordon Thomas, son Of Mr.
and Mrs. Fred Thomas OF Forest street
\ scripture recitation OF the harmonized
account of the Christina, story was given
| by Frederick Knight and an appropriate
poem on the true idea Of giving was
spoken by Ruth knowlton
/ This service was Introductory to the
Christmas giving for local work by
classes, each class rising and repeating an
appropriate scripture text aud then
bringing their white Gitt-which gift
ranged from popcorn and fruit BY the be
ginners and the primary. through rice
cereals tea. coffee, cooked food, fruits and
vegetables to two barrels or 50 OF fouI
neatly prepared in about % packages
and even sugar was not forgotten. but APP
lpeared from somewhere
/ Meat and chickens also were in cyi-
dance, one card with S2O in crisp bills AT
tached. boxes containing So from Other
classes the whole cash offering amounting
to between $50 and 500, while the sub
stantia gifts Of -four and the lik,
iamounted TO nearly a. much it not per
/ haps a greater sum 1t all proved that
people have learned, iii these days OF
stress, the true art Of giving
In addition TO this SO was given 10 III,
Armenian and Syrian relief work.
The service was appropriately clo~et
lhy appreciative remark, BIZ Rev Mr.
lrowncll, prefaced by a story a. to the
selection of the modest little spruce a
the Christmas decoration
NJ the superintendent -uggestion th'
audience remained seated during thu
tplaying by Mr.. Cram Of the postlude inn
mediately following the bcntdiction
The decorations IN the niycroale
lehurcll were OF green. with Christina
trees. cvergrecn> and fe-toen9 ot green
suspended from the pillars At the clos
OF the morning sell Ice. the SUNDAY schoo
held its Christmas concert. which wa
iconsidercd To bc tho best concert giveI
by he school. 1t consisted of recitation>
songs and instrumental music. The offer
inc taken was FOR Armenian and SYRIA
relief. The concert WAS given bv mem
beers OF the primary and Junior depart
tment The Christmas tree exercises WI
be held this afternoon at $50
In the j.nitarian church the decora
.tions were OF evergreen, pine and poiiI
>ettia, and We're very effective. Ut I'll
| close OF the morning service the Sunda
, school held carol service. The service
We're held in the parish house. The men
hers Of the nitarian SUNDAY school. wit
! invited guests, held their Christ mas part
saturday evening in the parish houo'
, The annual Christmas tree With gift
{ was given up this season and instead th
! young people cnioyed the evening wit
. games and dancing. Refreshments Ntl
served About 90 were present
At the Methodist church in the eyenin
there was a song and story service. III
Shepherds Story dapted from The Gro,
Triumphant. by Florence Morse king-lc,
The Sunday school Christmas tree an
exercises will be held this AFTERNOON :
= ( O'Clock
At St Michael, Episcopal church an
st Michacl's Roman Catholic church Il
L Christmas observance begins at Y o'cloc
tonight. There will he confessions tn
afternoon in 81. AIehaere Roman Cath
liz church az $40 and in the evening
80 The midnight mass begins promp
~ AT l. o'clock There win be masses
! $50 and lo.3u Christmas morning. wit
Benediction If the Most blessed Sacr
mcnt after the last mass.