The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-12-27

ly. A line CHIlStnaS DISCOURSE was pre-
sented by the pastor, Rev. Arthur E.
Wilson, and the music was appropriate to
the day with Christmas solo by Mrs.
c. w. Wescott.
An unusually inspiring and helpful
Christmas service was held at the North
Congregational church Sunday morning
when three Christmas anthems and six
Christmas hymns were rendered by the
church choir under the direction of Mr..
E. S. Pitcher, with accompaniment by
Miss Amy E. Stoddard, organist, and
Dean knowlton, clarinetist. A short
/ Christmas discourse was presented by
the pastor, Rev. Walter T. Hawthorne
on the topic, ''Where Is He?" The Sun
day school held Chri ,tmas song service
under the direction of Mrs c. E. Read.
At the Methodist church the pastor,
Rev. Charles W. Martin preached help
full morning sermon on Christmas and the
music was special for the day The even
story on Christ in Art, or the ''Man Who
1 Died for Me-" 1t was illustrated with
stereopticon pictures.
A Christmas tree for the children of
the Trinity Reformed church was held
Sunday afternoon. Owing to the illness
of Mrs. William Vaughan, the pastor s
wife, the exercises were very simple and
quiet.
At the ST. Francis church Christmas
morning the altar decorations were beau
tiful bouquets of chrysanthemums and
naTcissus. High Mass was held at 1 a.
m, followed by fine sermon by their
pastor, Rev. FIR. T. j. Mahoney, formerly
of Winterport. The Christmas benedic-
tlon of the most blessed sacrament was
{ held at the church Sunday evening,
Father Mahoney will arrive from Winter
port the last of this week to take up his
residence in the local parsonage
At the Baptist church Christmas ser
mon was delivered by the pastor at the
morning service and Christmas music
rendered by the choir. In the evening a
Christmas Mystery Play was given under
the direction of Mrs. Ben. l.. Robertson.
A large picture of the city of Bethlehem
was placed at the left of the platform
with the Christmas star brilliantly illumi-
( mated over the city. All the other lights
were turned out except those in the rear
balcony, where the chorus singers were
seated. A Christmas song was sung by a
band of unseen angels and responded to
by the choir in the balcony when Miss
Emma Webber, as Ruth the shepherdess
daughter, slowly advances down the
right-hand aisle to the platform and ex-
presses her wonderment at the songs she
/ sky. She is met by Amelia, a princess
represented by Miss Jennie Roberts, who
made very striking Eastern princess in
her long robes and dark flowing hair and
who was attended by Miloah, Miss Grace
Roberts. She is looking for her father
who is to bring gifts from the East to the
newfound King. Three shepherds slow
/ ly advanced to the platform while Ma
zareth is sung by Mr., George E. White
They were following the star and leave
Ruth to care for the sheep as they enter
/ he -. L. L,,
ton X. Braley, Gerald W. Howard and
| Clifford Tinker, whose long boards and
costumes made them ideal shepherds
Next enter the three Magi Kings, while
'The STAR is sung by one of their num-
Der. They were represented by George
E. White, Ben. L. Robertson and Robert
Holt, who wore long robes and carried
costly gifts for the Christ child. They
greet the princess and the little shepherd
maiden, who is weeping that she cannot
enter the city with the others, but mus
stay with the sheep. The princess touch.
ed by her grief remains in her stead and
presents her with jewels for the new
found Hing. The final tableaux was es-
pecially beautiful closing with the Adora-
tion scene. Soft music was played or
the organ, as the curtain was drawn back
and bright light thrown directly on the
scene showing Mary bending over the
Christ-child with Joseph and band OF
angels in the background and the Mag
! Kings and the shepherds kneelng below.
! The part of Mary was taken by Miss
Anita Trask, who made very beauti-
fui picture as she lifted her hands to
heaven as an illuminated cross appeared
above the scene. Donald Hall appeared
as Joseph and the angels were Vivian
Howard, Virginia Dutch, Buelah Young,
Louise Ellis, Mildred Trask and Haze
Perkins. The music for the play was
under the direction of Misses Edna M
Hopkins and Bertha z. Hayes. A very
large audience was present, requiring
extra seats to be brought in to accommo-
date them. The audience were very en-
thusiastic in their praise of this beautiful
Christmas play and much credit is due
Mrs. Robertson, who had it in charge
and the pastor, Rev. j. Wilbor Richard
son, who very ably assisted in coaching