Fine Music and Decorations and a Number of Children’s Festivals at the Feast of the Nativity.
More and more emphasis is put upon Christmas in the churches as tlio years go by, and however much Protestant churches may have departed from the faith of the o.d Mother Church, the old hymns, the old mottoes and the old symbols are found the best and most significant at the Christmas season. Ono reason for this doubtless lies in the fact that the most gorgeous and elaborate ritual can but feebly express the solemn joy of the grand season of Advent.
Christmas services and festivities in Norwood included the following:
At St. Catherine’s Church
There were the usual large congregations on Christmas morning. At the early morning mass Rev. Fr. Stanton officiated and delivered a sermon on “The Angels Worshipping the Infant Jesus.”
At 8.30 o’clock mass for the children was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Troy, who also sang high mass at 10 o’clock and delivered an able discourse from the text, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us,” showing bow the Gospels insist upon the divinity of Christ. Special music was rendered by an able choir, under the direction of Mrs. John Gil-looly, the efficient and energetic organist of the church. II. G. Gauss’ Second Mass in D and B. Hamma’s Christmas hymn, “LiDtentur Cccli,” wore the principal musical features of the day. Much credit belongs to Mrs. Gillooly for the fine music given on special occasions as well as at the usual services.
At the Congregational Church
There were two Sunday celebrations, one Dec. 19, and the other last Sunday. On the first Sunday a great feature of the morning service was the music by Miss Harriet Shaw of Boston, harpist, who is not only a fine musician, but an earnest and devout Christian. The pastor delivered an able sermon from the words, “What think ye of Christ?” In the evening Mr. P.O Winslow gave a fine address and there was congregational singing with Messianic songs and anthems.
On last Sunday morning the fruition of Advent was emphasized. Mrs. F. A. Morrill sang the magnificent solo, “Rejoice Greatly,” and the quartette gave “Break forth into joy.” Rev. Mr. Weeden spoke from the words, “God hath visited His people.”
The Christmas carol service was a decided success, in spite of the snowstorm. Robert and Charlie Russell, Helen Metcalf and Avis Bastou had special parts in the program, while the little people supplemented their pretty exorcises by heaping the platform with gifts for the poor children of Boston.
The exchanges of the Advertiser in various parts of the state, including Greater Boston, have copied, credited and commended a recent editorial in this paper concerning the free advertising of church entertainments and shows. Evidently the amateur printer, with “jobby” and “sloppy” work, is abroad in many communities. The Advertiser’s remarks on these subjects seem to have struck a popular chord.
Our esteemed contemporary, The Quincy Patriot, has recently entered upon its sixty-first volume. Sixty years in the newspaper business is a good record, and in its green old age the Patriot presents the neat and handsome appearance which speaks volumes for the skill and artistic taste which comes from long years of experience in the art preservative.
Mr. John D. Emmons has greatly improved the appearance of his paper, The Central Norfolk Democrat, by putting it in an eight-page form. The Advertiser wishes the young man abundant success in the journalistic field.
The festival on Christmas Eve was unusually pleasant and successful. The tree was tall and brilliantly decorated. All the kindergarten children received presents, and every member of the school had a bag of candy. Songs and recitations were given by the children.
Universalist Church.
Christmas festivities at the Universalist church began last Friday evening— Christmas Eve—with a festival for the children. A scene representing a fireplace was arranged and Santa Claus appeared there, wakening some sleeping brownies by pelting them with snowballs. An interesting program of songs and recitations was given by the children, all of whom received presents. The committee in charge of the affair, of which Mr. Geo. W. Gay was chairman, did excellent work.
On Sunday morning the usual service gave place to Christmas exorcises by the Sunday school. A very fine address of welcome was delivered by Master Arthur Tilton. Christmas carols were given by the school. The kindergarten department gave interesting songs and recitations, and the quartette of the church assisted in the services.
Rev.W.B.Eddy gave a talk on “Old Christmas Curiosities and Customs.”
In the evening, in spite of bad weather, there was a good congregation present at the Christmas vesper service. It was the most elaborately prepared vesper service of the year. There was special music by the boy choir, the church quartette and others. Rev. W. B. Eddy spoke on “The Meaning of Christmas Day.” The decorations, under the direction of Sirs. F. W. Talbot, were unusually fine.
Baptist Church.
Excellent Christmas services last Saturday evening. The conceri was fine and Santa Claus did his part nobly. It was good as we have ever seen, here or elsewhere.
Methodist Church.
The Christmas tree and festival at Seller’s hall last Saturday evening showed much elaborate preparation and was made very enjoyable to the little folks by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, who furnished most of the entertainment. Each of the forty or more children of the Sunday school received bags of candy and popcorn and a present. Miss Eleanor Chalmers, the organist, received a purse of money. Other officers and members of the school also received gifts from the well laden and handsomely decorated tree.
NEWS of the CHURCHES
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE EVENTS.
BAPTIST.
Regular services Sunday morning at 10.45. Responsive reading of psalm, singing by the choir and congregation and sermon by the pastor. All seats free and everybody invited.
Sunday school at 12 o’clock. Classes suited to all, with kindergarten for small children. George K. Newcombe, Superintendent; Jas. Hadden, assistant; Miss Maade Woods, Superintendent primary department.
Junior meeting at 6 p.m. led by one of the Juniors.
Special service of song, solo and choruses Sunday evening at 7 o’clock, with a short address by the pastor. This is a growing service as to attendance and interest. Subject of evening address— Thy Creator. All are very cordially invited to attend.
Young People’s Christian Endeavor meeting Tuesday evening at 7.45. Subject: How to Pray.
Regular monthly meeting Friday evening at 7.45. Subject: All Things New.
All are very cordially invited to attend all the services of this church.
Services appropriate to New Year next Sunday, with good singing and speaking. Morning service at 10.45. Evening service at 7 o’clock. All are invited. The first service of the new year. Let all attend.
There will be union services next week Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.45. Wednesday evening at the Congregational church, and Tnursday evening at the Baptist church. It is hoped that these meetings will be largely attended and groat good will be done. All are invited.
UNIVEBSALIST.
Sunday services as follows:—
Morning service appropriate to New Year’s at 10.45. All are welcome.
Sunday school at 12 o’clock. Mr. Geo. W. Cushing, superintendent. Classes for all ages. Fully equipped kindergarten for children. Session one hour. Free to all.
New Year’s vesper service at 5 o’clock. The boy choir will repeat the Christmas music, assisted by soloists and quartette. The cornet will lead the congregational singing. Organ prelude at 4.50. Processional at 5 o’clock. All seats are free and the public invited.
Supper and entertainment by Ladies’ Social Circle next Wednesday evening. Supper at 6.45, 15 cents; entertainment at 8 o’clock, 15 cents; tickets for both, 25 cents. The entertainment will consist of a talk by Mrs. Mabel Loomis Todd on “The Cruise of the Coronet,” and will include something about the Hawaiian Islands, something of Japan, of Northern Yezo and of the eclipse. It will be a rare opportunity to hear a person of such rank and genius.
ST. CATHERINE’S.
Masses:
Week Days, 7.30 a.m.
bundays, 7, 8.30. High Mass, 10 a. m.
Sunday School.
Prayer Class, 2 p. m.
Catechism, 2.30 p. m.
Benediction, 3.30 p. m.
Societies.
League of Sacred Heart meets first Friday, 8 p. m.
Young Women’s Sodality meets second and fourth Mondays, 8 p. m.
Married Women’s Sodality meets first Monday, 8 p. m.
Children of Mary moot second Sunday, 4 p.m.
St. Aloysius Society meets third Sunday, 4 p. m.
League of Blessed Sacrament meets every day.
Special services New Years Day. Mass at 5.30 and 8 o’clock. Confessions were heard this afternoon and evening.
The Young Women’s Sodality met Monday evening. Instructions were given by Fr. Stanton.
The Young Women’s Sodality will receive Holy Communion at the 5.30 o’clock mass to-morrow morning.
The Married Women’s Sodality will meet next Monday evening at eight o’clock.
Fr. Troy will speak to-morrow (Saturday) evening in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham, on the;occasion of the renewal of tho pledge by the St. Mary’s T. A.. S.
CONGREGATIONAL
Sunday, January 2, 1898. Morning service, with communion, at 10.45, conducted by the pastor.
Sunday school at 12.10 for Bible study. Mr. W. A.Williamson, Supt. Mrs. Frank G. Allen, Supt. primary and kindergarten department. Mr. F. O. Winslow, leader of the senior class.
Evening worship at 7 o’clock, with special music by the choir and preaching by Rev. B. F. Perkins of East Walpole. Seats are free at all services and all are welcome.
Monday, at 7 p.m. Annual meeting of the Church for election of officers and any other business. It is hoped that all members of the church will be present at the roll-call and answer to their names.
Tuesday, at 7.45 p.m. Young people in Christian Endeavor. Leader, Mr. J. R.Vance. Topic: “How to pray.”—Luke 11: 1-13. A delegation from East Walpole is expected. Everybody cordially invited.
Wednesday, at 7.45 p.m. Union prayer meeting in the chapel. Leader, Mr. F. O. Winslow. Subject: “Christ the Deliverer from the power of sin.”—1 Jolin 1:7; Isaiah 53: 5.
Thursday, at 7.45 p.m. Union service at the Baptist church. Leader, Rev. J. B. Seabury of Dedham.
Friday, at 7.45 p.m. Young people and all people in the Sunday school. Led by the pastor. Subject: “Why should we study the Bible?” To be followed by a teachers’ meeting led by Mr. H. A. Halstead.
You are cordially invited to all the services and privileges of this church.
Let us all make a special effort to attend the meetings during this, the week of prayer. The union meetings are on Wednesday and Thursday.
A very pleasant incident occurred in the kindergarten department of the Sunday school, Dec. 19, when the little folks presented a beautiful picture as a wedding present to their beloved teacher, Mrs. Frank G. Allen.
The ladies of the Benevolent Society last Monday voted to apply $5C9 of their money, over $300 of which was made at the Festival of Holidays, on the debt on the parsonage. It was a generous move on the part of the ladies.
Mr. Weeden will preach at Readville next Sunday afternoon at 2.30, and will exchange with Rev. Mr. Perkins-of East Walpole in the evening. Let us give the new pastor at East Walpole a hearty welcome to our pulpit.
The ladies will meet next Wednesday afternoon, from 2 to 5, for sewing and any necessary business.
METHODIST.
Pastor, Rev. Jared S. Tillingliast, 72 Mt. Vernon St., Boston.
Superintendent of Sabbath School, Fred I. Eldridge, Cottage St. Class leader, Mr. Theodore F. Wellington, Norwood House.
Superintendent of Junior League, Mrs. Smith, Day St.
Morning service at 10.45 o’clock.
Sabbath school at 12.05 p. m. International lesson for the day.
Junior League meeting from 3 p. m., to’ 3.30, for all children under 16 years of age.
Usual service of song from 7 to 7.30 iu t.he evening.
Gospel services Sunday evening at 7.30 o’clock.
Class meeting Tuesday evening at 7.45 p. m. Everyone takes some active part in this meeting.
Epworth League meeting Friday evening at 7.45 o’clock. One of the members will be the leader.
Strangers have a hearty welcome at all these services.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)