The Republican journal., 1920-12-23
THE CHURCHES

tically decorated with WreathS and How
ers for the service last Sunday, and 1
very large congregation was present. The
entire service was in keeping with the
Ch.lstmas spirit which is moving in the
hearts of the people and manifesting itself
In so many ways. The solo, response
hymns. sermon and talk to the children
were all appropriate to the gladstone sea-
son when the spirit of good will seems to
possess the hearts of men. Christmas is
the chlldren's time, and it was good to
see SO many young people present, and
note Their evident enjoyment of the pas
tor 8 talk specially prepared for them. 1t
is TO be suspected that the older folks
VINO after all are only children of larger
growth and wider experience-also en-
Ioyed it, Judging from the smiling faces
seen on all sides. Well it is good for US
all to become children again in spirit, for
we have sinned and grown old. But sure
~ the Incarnation teaches US the wonder
tul possibilities of Divine Personality, and
opens up to US the opportunity of becom-
Ing "as little children" and commencing
life anew under our Heavenly Fathers S
love and care. Perhaps some of us long
ing for "the dear dead days beyond re-
CALI and signing for the lost ideal of our
CHlluHoOd as we say:
so to 20 back across the years long van
ished,
To have the words unsaid, the deeds
undone, the errors banished;
To be little child again, whose page is
yet undimmed, unblotted by stain;
And in the sunrise of primeval glory,
to know
That life has had its start again.
X
may 60 back across the years long van
/ may resume my childhood, Lord, in
Thee,
When in the shadow of Thy Cross are
vanquished,
All evils that encompass me-"
Mr.. A B. Stantial was the speaker at
the Mems Forum last Sunday and pre-
sented in a concise and admirable form
the problems of the Farmers" The
discussion which followed brought out
many interesting facts. One very no.
ticeable feature was the stress that was
put upon service. We are learning in
these days, as never before, the truth
that we are all bound together in the
bundle of life, and no man liveth to him.
self. The great test of life is to be, not
how much money we can make, but how
we can best serve the community The
speaker for next Sunday will be Edward
Brassey- -Brierly, subject: "The farmer in
relation to the labor union and the con-
Sumer."
Next Sunday evening there will be a
stereopticon lecture on Turkey and the
Great War" The pictures will be color
ed, and the lecture promises to be one of
the most interesting we have had. Every
body should plan to be present. Strangers
and visitors are cordially invited to the
lecture and to all the services.
The Christmas tree and Young Peoples
Sociable will be on Thursday afternoon
and evening instead of Wednesday, as
announced last week. All young people
invited Admission ten cents.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Rev
George c. Sauer, pastor; residence, IL
Cedar; telephone, 1911. The services
of worship 10.45 and 7.3O. Bible schoo
at IL O'clock Christian Endeavor a,
$50 Thursday at 7.30 the mid week
service. This week, "The Christmas that
was, that is, and that is to be-" is the
theme. The people are earnestly invited
to be present. At 1915 Sunday morning
there will be spec al program of music
by the enlarged chorus, with Mr.. Par
quette, leader, and Mrs. Snow, organist
The children are greatly desired at this
service and the public is cordially invited
At 7.30 service that will delight every
one has been prepared. The "Lovely
Scenes of Bethlehem" will be presented
with the aid of the chorus choir and or.
chestra. The story of Christmas will be
told in living pictures and in Scripture
and song. The first scene opens with tn.
chorus, "Day is Dying in the West" ane
then is heard in the distance the duet
"We Would See Jesus" expressive O.
the longing in many Hebrew hearts O.
old. The Scripture reading unfolds tn,
story of the appearance of Joseph ant
Mary at Bethlehem for enrolment. The!
find no place in the inn, and the humbl,
stable is made to shelter the Madonna
In this scene beautiful solo is sung
mo Room in the Inn," by Mr.. Parquett
and duet sung by Mary and Joseph
''My Father Knows" The scene close
with the soft chanting: "Holy Night"
The second chapter of the story open
with the Bible story of Midnight on tn
plain of Bethlehem. The chorus sing
"Joy to the World" The shepherds ap
pear and are seated on the ground. Tn
descriptive choruses: "While Shepherd
Watched Their Flocks," "Glory to Go
in the Highest, and "Christians Awake
follow. While the shepherds 60 to fin
the Saviour then follows the number
80 Little Town of Bethlehem"
The third scene opens with picture O
the humble stable, Miss Morris takin
the part of the Madonna. The Scriptur
story is recited and number by tn
chorus follows: "Hail to the Lords An
nointed." A group cf children join tn
Christmas scene and sing: "Away in
Manger," by Luther. Now comes tn
ladies' quartette, II Love Him." by Eos
ter. The shepherds enter and kneel, an
rising tell their story of wonder. The
return to their focks glorifying God.
The fourth scene depicts the coming O
the wise men from the East The Scrip
ture story is read and the star flashe
out. The chorus sings, "With Gladnes
Men of Old" The wise men appea
bearing gifts. A baritone solo is sune
"We Three Kings of the Orient" The
worship the Saviour, present their gift
and with appropriate solos tell their stor,
When they have finished there is hear
the tender far off refrain, ''Saviour, Tn
Dying Love-" The scene closes with a
inspiring chorus by the choir and orches
ira, and the triumphant hymn, 80 Com
all ye Faithful" The public is cordial
invited.
On Monday evening. Dec. 9th, the,