Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-26
BELFAST
Christmas Vespers Street
Carols and Generous Giving
Attend Yuletide

OF all the impressive Yuletide
Vcrvices the Christmas Vespers held
in the First Church Federated stands
out i'll the minds of those who at
tended very distinctly for it's sim
plicity and beauty. AS the people
were gathering from all PARTS Of the
city. carols were played by two cor
notists. Leroy Green and Donald
knowlton, who stood at the en-
trance, the clear, sweet tones floating
out on the quiet air with q beauty
difficult to describe The dimlv
lighted church, with It's altar can
dies. the stiffness of the night. the
quietly assembling people, all made
one OF what the first Christmas
IN the old church might have been
and many minds were turned back
to those old settlers Of Belfast who
assembled more than q hundred
years ago for their first Christmas
service in the First Parish Meeting
house las it was then called. The
interior Of the church was q thing
OF beauty, with garlands Of laurel,
pointed frs and spruces, wheaths
and scarlet berries combined in
beautiful effect, while the lights sub.
ducd threw a red glow throughout
the lovely old auditorium. On the
altar were handsome old brass can
delabra and stately white candles
burning with a steady light. Old
English carols and Christmas an
thems were sung by the choir and
brief address following the read
ing of Christmas hymns, was made
by the pastor, Rev. w. +. Skerrye.
The old church was filed and the
solemnity of Christmas eve, usually
attended by hustle and hustle, was
felt as never before. The morning
service was equally beautiful.
Carols on Main Street
Busy shoppers on Maine street
Saturday were delighted with the
Christmas carols played at noon and
at O'Clock by four members of the
Belfast band. 1t was a most beau
tiful thought and gave happiness to
great many, adding to the great
spirit of Christmas which has per-
r,ded the city as never before.
1t is doubtful If in all the history
Of Belfast there has been a greater
Christmas spirit than this season.
The churches have not been alone
in the good work that has been done.
Many business houses have given
literally to their employees. Mat
thew Bros. 60. f. Frost) giving to
every man in its employ twenty dol
lars in gold. At the City National
Bank each employee received. as
usual, ten dollars in gold. c. r.
Holmes of the Consumers Fuel
Company, gave gold to each OF his
employees, and other firms also re-
membered their help at this season.
125 Dinners to Needy
Charles Bradbury, one of the most
philathropic citizens Of Belfast. per-
sonally superintendent the sending
out of 1o5 dinners to needy families,
and at Thanksgiving he gave as
many more. Mr.. Bradbury has done
this sort of good all his life and his
mother. the late Mrs. James Brad
bury Of Augusta. is well remem-
bered in the Capital City for her
good deeds. Mr.. Bradbury's many
friends will be very sorry to learn
that he had an Ill turn Sunday
morning but is better today.
With the children's dinner Mt
Floods restaurant, the public Christ
mas tree for children at the Baptist
Girls Home. and the trees and en-
tertainments held in the various
churches for the Sunday schools. It