CHRISTMAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1282, 27 December 1884, Page 3

CHRISTMAS.

GERALDINE. The Christmas of 1884, as far as Geraldine is concerned, has passed away without anything special occurring to mark its passage. Vary little had been done on Christmas Eve in the way of decorations or special shows of goods in the business places. The hotels, however, were neatly decorated. In one draper’s window we noticed a small display of seasonable articles of millinery, etc., and in the same window vras a wax doll .fit unusual dimensions, tastefully drejfeed as a bride, A fair amount of business was done daring the day and in the evening, but generally things were quiet. The Geraldine brass band paraded the streets after 12 o’clock for an horn- or two playing the well-known Christmas carol, “ Christians Awake.”

CHRISTMAS DAY.

The township was very quiet on Christmas Day. The weather being beautifully fine was taken advantage of by the townspeople to spend the day out driving or at picnic parties. Many people also went away by train, extra coaches being run to carry the unusual number of passengers. The children attending the Presbyterian Sabbath School at Geraldine Flat, held their annual picnic in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Shaw, A good meny people were present, and the weather being so fine all enjoyed themselves. The band visited all parts of the neighborhood during the day and gave various Christmas selections, their playing being much appreciated.

ST, maby’s church,

A special service was held in this Church in the morning. The Church was very tastefully decorated, Over the altar was a very neat cross, composed of white flowers and green leaves picked out with scarlet. Vases of flowers also stood on the altar. On either side of the altar bannerettes were placed on which were inscribed in gold lettering the words “Behold I bring you tidings of great joy,” and “ Emmanuel, God with us.” Around the communion rails were entwined wreaths of white roses. Tha reading desk was decorated in a similar manner. From the lectern was suspended a piece of white drapery on which were the words in gold lettering “Hail the Prince of Peace!” Suspended at the back of the organ was a screen covered with moss, in the centre of which was a white shield, bearing the words “We praise thee, 0 God !” In each of the windows was a decoration of flowers and ferns, and the chandeliers were also nicely decorated. The front was surrounded with moss and lilies and on the top was a circlet of white roses. The whole of the decorations were simple, but much good taste had been displayed in their arrangement, and when.freshjthey looked exceedingly pretty. The service was conducted by the Rev. Jas. Preston, ass ; atad by Dr Fish. An appropriate and impressive sermon was preached to a large congregation by the Incumbent, who took his text from the 78th and 79th verses of the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke. HOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. This Church was nicely decorated with evergreens and flowers, the altars being particularly noticeable from the beauty and taste of the decorations. Masses were celebrated at half-past eight and ten o’clock, and appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev, Father Kean, the pastor of the Church. In the evening a special devotional service was held. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. A special Christmas service was held in this Church in the evening, being conducted by the Rev. Mr Clark, the pastor. TEMUKA. The Christmas holidays passed off quietly in Temuka. On Christmas eve the weather was all that could be desired up to 11 o’clock, when it commeoced to rain. It cleared, however, at midnight, and left a fine night. Mr Ackroyd aud Messrs Thomson and Smith made the only attempts at decoration worth mentioning, the verandahs of both shops being literally covered with green boughs. Mr Ackroyd had a splendid display of meat, which attracted a largo number of sight-seers, and Messrs Thomson and Smith also had a grand show of Polled Angus beef, purchased from Mr James Guild, Mr Miles and Messrs Mogridge and Wiltshire had their windows well dressed with a splendid display of Christmas cards, etc., and Mr Coira’s Hotel was slightly decorated also, the most noticeable feature being Chinese lanterns hung outside. At 12 o'clock the band commenced to play the usual Christmas carols, and they played through the main street. On the whole everything passed off quietly. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. At 8 a.m. Mass was celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, and also at 10.30 High Mass was solemnised. The Rev. Father Fauvel officiated at both and and delivered an impressive sermon at tha latter. An efficient choir composed principally of the children attending the school sang. Miss Gaffaney presided at the harmonium. Mr Coira sang an Italian hymn at the end of the Mass. ST. saviour’s CHURCH, Contributions of flowers and evergreens flowed in frera all quarters on Christmas 1 Eve, and numbers of willing hands soon covered the windows, arches, etc., with tasteful and beautifully-executed designs, Prominent in the east window was the motto “ God with us,” surmounted by a floral cross. Great praise is due to these indefatigable workers in flowers, of which some writer has said “ Flowers are God’s smiles upon earth.” Services were hold at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Holy Communion being celebrated at the morning service. The Incumbent preached on both occasions, and also at the early service at Winchester. A special oftertory was taken for the maintenance of the Temuka Sunday School, amounting to £2 13s 3d. , At 2.30 p.m. the distribution of prizes

to the Sunday School children took place, but we are compelled to hold over the prise list till our next issue. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. On Christmas Eve the Rev. Clark held a service at preaching a sermon appropriate to the occasion. On Christmas night another service was held, it being conducted by Mr W. Bryan. Nothing was done in the way of decorations. WINCHESTER. ST. JOHN THE EVANGELISTS. This pretty little Church, winch has been so lately beautified by the exertions ot the ladies of Winchester by the addition of new chandeliers, carpets, cushions, etc., was nicely decorated for the occasion, simplicity being combined with chasteness of design. An early service with a celebration of Holy Communion, was held in this Church at 9 a.m, r l lie congregation numbered CO.