The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-25
BESSEMER

Bessemer, December 24.-(special.) With gray. leaden skies overhead from which fell at intervals through out the day downpours of rain, but with the radiance of sunshine in her heart, Bessemer celebrated on Christ mas Eve her first community Christ mas tree.
 Waiting far and near the message of Peace on earth and good will to men," the tree stands in majesty In the center of the city. a brilliantly lighted symbol of the truth that 1t is more blessed to give than to re- ceive and a wonderful testimony of the spirit of helpfulness and coop eration which has been evident throughout the community in the pre- parations for it's celebration.
 The idea of municipal tree was proposed by Mrs. Annie Glenn Grove and developed into a widespread com munity event which has received the cooperation of every social club and church society fraternal order. and civic organization in the city.
 The Bessemer Elks lodge with w. D. Taylor. Jr., as exalted ruler. was one of the largest contributors to the S1,200 which was the fund ex- pended for the gifts for the needy. and they opened their hall for the distribution of the baskets Despite the inclemency of the weater the crowds began to assemble at Elks' hall at g o'clock where 300 baskets were filled and waiting with the Identification cards to be distributed to the right and proper persons. A long line marked the entire length of the stairway leading to the In s.h T IL l. Ia people, young people, the crippled and the blind mothers with little chill dren, old ladies with worn shoes and men who had been long out of work waiting to receive their baskets.
 The main hall of the Elks club was bright with Christmas decorations of holly branches and red bells and with the baskets filled with fruit. candies, toys for the children, food supplies, and special articles that were needed by the particular persons to whom the baskets were being distributed by Santa Claus, Boy Scouts, and mem bers of the various women's commit tees.
 The baskets for the poor and needy negroes were distributed later in the afternoon From to o'clock the exercises under the trees were
 
 rection of Mrs. Grove. follows:
 Prayer, Dr. r o. Heller; tribute to our first community Christmas tree. Mrs. Grove; song. Joy to the World,' everybody; the Christmas story, Mrs. Lucian Haney; carols. the Sunday schools: Baby's stockings, Catherine Harris; Hello, Sa1ta' Lee Bajns, Santa Claus Dr. J. S. Winters; Christ mas reading, Anita Vandervoort; Christmas dolls, Claudia Mae Smith, Virginia Nash, and Sarah. Warlick; telephoning Santa, Carolyn Stover {; Dolls Tea Party, Francis Keith, Hell en Roll, Mildred Hawley, and Lois Grove II; Jingle, Jingle" Ned Moore; Christmas dance. Elizabeth Fitzspat- rick; "Silent Night" everybody.
 The following tribute to the tree was given by Mrs. Grove. "The key called love is the magic key that the spirit of Christmas turns in the door of the human heart Our beau tiful community Christmas tree is proof that this door Is ajar, and tonight more than ever before the call of Christmas means to us Christ ward. Christward because we have practiced the spirit of self-denial
 "Our tree Is a symbol, many dark ened home will radiate Christmas Cneer ana we, the BlVcTS, WILL rear ize more completely the true Christ mas spirit. that it is more blessed to give than to receive"
 Those who were not able to come for their baskets Christmas Eve will receive them Sunday morning by committees who have been appointed for the purpose of delivering them.
 Christmas Service
 Beautiful White Christmas services will be held at the First Methodist church Sunday morning at 10 o'clock with the following program for the exercises. Organ voluntary; hymn. "Joy to the World:" prayer, Dr. L. L. vann; anthem, "He Cometh." choir; scripture reading, and talk, The Spirit of Christmas" w. s. Welch; solo. star in the Sky" Miss Irna Lois Waldrop; song cradle roll. "Mer- ry Christmas;" song. Christmas Hush" beginners; song, The Angels Sang One Starry Night" primary de- partment song, junior department, Miss Louise Stansellss soloist; song Let Us Go over Judea's Plain," choir; gifts from senior intermediate brought to the altar: song and offer ing by adult department; violin solo. Miss Ethel Williamson; pageant. by representatives of junior and senior Epworth leagues. Misses Mary Mill dred Woodrow, Helen Nasty, Mable Adams, Christine Johnson, Leon Ham, mer, Herman Fishbach, Ernest Nasty and Tom DeJarnette.
 The Baptist White Christmas ser x.s<. l< lxol1 C,,x 1,x ar al