Christmas Eve in the West End.

Christmas Eve Las always Leen a saered time, especially among the Germans and Scandinavians, and kindred peoples. For weeks everyone has been looking forward to Christmas, that greatest festival of church and home, the birthday of the Christ; and now it is Christmas Eve. A hush has fallen upon the busy noisy world. A spirit of peace and goed will has taken possession of men's souls and they pause for an hour in the hurry of life, as though expecting some usual event. On this night, surely, no evil spirits dare stir abroad. hallowed and so gracious is the time." This is indeed the "Holy Night," when the angels' song may once again be heard and heaven descend to earth.

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Listen to the Christmas "waits" singing carols from door to door: "Lordings, listen to our lay-We have come from far away To seek Christmas;

In this mansion we are told

He his yearly feast doth hold;
'Tis today!

May joy come from God above
To all those who Christmas love."

See the lights in church and home! These are the Christmas candles, sh.ning for the Christ-Child. Will he visit you and me?

"Little taper, spread thy ray,

Make his pathway light as day:
Let some door be open wide
For the guest of Christmas-tide,
Dearer than all else beside.
"Little Christ-Child, come to me.
Let my heart thy shelter be:
Such a home thou wilt not scorn.
So the bells on Christmas morn
Glad shall ring, A Christ is born.''

On Christmas Eve, 1894, candles were lighted and placed in the windows of a certain house on West Cedar St., after reading to the children the above verses and a story. "The Christ-Candle," by Miss Kate L. Brown. These were the first candles on that street, and with one exception, the first in that neighborhood. The next year an opposite neighbor did the same, and a few others later. Then suddenly, or so it seemed, the whole neighborhood was a blaze of glory, with hundreds of candles in scores of houses; and many voices were heard

singing. "Noel, Noel," "God rest ye, merry gentlemen," or "What means this glory round our feet?" Here was a group of singers from Chestnut Street, the Chestnut Street Christmas Association; and there the choir boys of the Church of the Advent; and again a band of young people from the Church of the Disciples; all of them twentieth century "Christmas Waits." No wonder the neighbors turned out in force, to enjoy the wonderful sight, to listen to the carols, to greet one another, and thus to welcome the spirit of Christmas Eve.

Was it not a happy inspiration that led Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Adams Cram and the Christmas Association to suggest this neighborhood revival of the old-time customs, "to the end," so they said, "that the hearts of passers-by may be gladdened and that the Day of Good Will and Glad Tidings may be fittingly commemorated"?

Christmas and New Year's.

As Christmas and New Year's fall this year on their respective Sundays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, the services ought to be of special interest. On Christmas the Sunday School will unite with the Congregation, as has been done so happily in recent years. On New Year's an opportunity will be given to any persons wishing to unite with our Church. They are invited to confer with Mr. Eliot about it. There will be a Communion Service, to which all members and friends are cordially invited. May it be "the very day and the hour" for that new beginning that shall grow into "Another year of progress, Another year of praise, Another year of proving

Thy presence' all the days!"

The Boston Federation.

About ten of our Guild members attended a very interesting meeting of the Federation in Brighton on the afternoon and evening of Nov. 27.

The business session was particularly lively and a number of important matters were disposed of.

Both sessions were well attended and evinced a continued interest in the work of the Federation.

The mid-year meeting will be held at our Church, on Sunday, Feb. 26.

Howard Sunday School.

The Howard Sunday School anniversary falls on Dec. 10, when we shall be eighty-four years old. Who can tell the story of the first meeting? On Sunday, Dec. 11, we shall recognize the anniversary by a special service.

The new bulletin board, showing the total membership of the school, attendance last Sunday and today, the record attendance, and amount of collection for the Children's Mission, is exciting quite an interest. Last Sunday it read as follows:

Considering the total membership, the attendance seems small, but it is fair to say that this is due in part to special conditions, for example, the distance that many are obliged to come. Nevertheless. the attendance might be largely increased, if every scholar, as well as every teacher. felt it not only a privilege but a duty to be present every Sunday, unless prevented by sickness. Do not let "unexpected company" keep you from your place. Let your friends know that you are not at home on Sunday afternoons. Plan Your Sunday pleasures so as not to interfere with Sunday School and Church. Remember that your presence helps others besides yourself and your absence does barm. What is our motto? "Together. Everyone members one of another." What is our golden text? "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

On Nov. 6 and Nov. 27 the lessons of the preceding Sundays were reviewed and emphasized by the Superintendent with pictures. mottoes and hymns thrown upon the screen by the reflectoscope.

The Sunday School welcomes Miss Jones to her accustomed place again and rejoices in her quick recovery from her accident. The Infant Class is unusually large and interesting. numbering twenty-five.

The Committee on Social Service is at work and will report at the annual meeting in January. The Christmas

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Tree Committee has met and is preparing for a happy celebration on Dec. 28. Unitarian Sunday School Union.

This is a union of the Sunday School teachers of our Churches in or near Boston. It meets once a month during the season, with an attendance of about a hundred and twenty-five. A reception at 5, supper at 6, addresses on Sunday School topics at 7, make up the programme. For many years these meetings were held at one central church, but this winter they are being held at different churches, a plan which is proving successful.

The next meeting, on Monday, Dec. 19, will be held here, at Bulfinch Place Church. Supper will be served in the Sunday School room and the meeting will be held in the Church. An address will be given by Rev. Roger S. Forbes of Dorchester upon "The Believableness of the Christmas Message," and Christmas carols will be sung. All our own teachers are invited for this occasion and are urged to come, that we may give an enthusiastic welcome to our visiting friends.

Women's Alliance.

Two meetings were held in November, a "Study Class" on November 9 and a regular business meeting on November 30. At the latter Mrs. M. C. Whitman gave a delightful talk on Dr. Hale.

On December 8, from 11 A. M. to 5.30 P. M., the Alliance will hold a "Sale" of Preserves, Jellies, Pickles, Cake and Candy. Luncheon, under Miss Jones' management, will be served from 12 to 2.30; afternoon tea from 3.30 to 5.30. Other meetings of the Alliance in December will be held as follows:

Study Class, December 14. Evening meeting on December 21. at 7.45, at which Mrs. Anna S. Duryea will speak on "Warmakers and Peacemakers."

Stereopticon Lectures.

The lectures already given have been of great interest. We have never had better pictures and the subject matter has been both instructive and entertaining. The audiences have been good. At one of the lectures Mr. George Mendall Taylor gave an organ recital, which was heartily applauded.

The Winkley Guild.

Two meetings are scheduled for December, as follows:

On Dec. 4 Miss Emma J. Lang will read a paper on "Theodore Parker, and the Anti-Slavery Movement." These special subjects are proving of decided interest to the members, as they continually bring out new characteristics in the lives of our different leaders.

On Dec. 18 Miss Annie F. Brown will tell us something of the life and works of Miss Fanny Merrill. Special note should be made of this meeting, as it is our Children's Mission Sunday.

We remember with grateful appreciation that it was due to the thoughtful care and inspiration of Miss Merrill that the Children's Mission was started over sixty years ago. With this thought in mind, let all old and new friends of the Guild turn out in good numbers on Dec. 18.

Items of Interest.

The Mildred Ellis Club will meet on Dec. 10.

Sale of Preserves, Pickles, Candies, by the Women's Alliance on Dec. 8. Lunch served from 12 to 2.30. Afternoon Tea.

Sunday School Teachers' Union on Dec. 19, from 5 to 8.30.

Evening Meeting of the Women's Alliance on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7.45.

The gymnasium has been in regular use since early in October, six times a week, twice by the Swedish Club and four times by the young men and boys of the West End House. It is also being used on Saturdays by the Sphinx Club for a large class of girls.

On Thanksgiving evening a Union Service was held at the Baptist Tabernacle. Bowdoin Square, in which three churches joined. the Temple Street (Methodist), the Bowdoin Square (Baptist), and Bulfinch Place (Unitarian). The attendance was very gratifying. The service of praise was followed by brief addresses by Rev. Ernest L. Mills, Rev. Christopher R. Eliot, and Rev. Frederick E. Heath. Everyone present must have felt and rejoiced in the spirit of goodwill, as well as of thankfulness for blessings enjoyed.

Mr.

Our own Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday, Nov. 20, when Eliot preached on "The Will to be Happy," the idea being that so much more than we think, in this matter, depends upon ourselves, our mental and spiritual attitudes, and other conditions largely under our control.

Christmas Celebrations. Christmas has come again and gone. As in past years, it brought abundant good cheer to us all. We look back to it now with gratitude, and we look forward with hope that its spirit of peace and goodwill may not son pass away.

On Sunday, the exercises began with a service in the Sunday School, when some of the old-time carols were sung and several of the classes read Christmas verses. Then came the church service for the congregation and Sunday School combined. At this the choir sang "It came upon the midnight clear" and other selections, while the congregational hymns were those familiar and dear to young and old.

Mr. Eliot gave a short sermon from the text "The Kingdom of God is within you," his subject being "The Smaller Christmas." By this he meant the Christmas spirit in each one's heart and home, as contrasted with the application of that spirit to the great social problems of the world, to which latter subject he had referred a year ago.

Our two Christmas festivals took place on Wednesday evening and Friday afternoon of the same week. That for the Sunday School was as jolly as usual and in some points the best for several years. The tree was beautifully decorated and the spot-light worked to perfection. Mrs. McGann told two Christmas stories which were listened to with rapt attention. Carols were sung from leaflets presented by the Church of the Disciples and then the "Wonderful Tree." In the midst of this Santa Claus's sleigh bells were heard. and he was soon discovered clambering in through the upper sash of the window over the corner closet! Great excitement followed. How splendid he appeared, with the spot-light full upon him! Presently Mr. Ellicott, the sexton, came running with a step-ladder and down came the children's friend, ready for busine-s. And it was business -rollicking fun, a few serious words, love and presents to everybody. Then, with a rush, he was off again, through the window and away, who knows whither? Yes, this was a Santa Claus worth seeing!

Ice cream and cake, horns of candy for all, closed a happy evening. To all whose generosity made it possible, our hearty thanks.

The Eliot Circle Party, on Friday, was as largely attended as ever, bringing together about three hundred chidren and older friends. There were members OI the Circle and invited guests. The teachers and scholars of the Sphinx Club were included. Miss Wyman had charge of the games, with a good corps of helpers. Everything went with enthusiasm, first the games, then the singing, then ice cream, and last of all the presents and candy. It was very different from the Wednesday evening, though with the same Tree and the same Christmas spirit. How the children enjoyed their freedom to play and romp! What a pretty sight, as they sat upon the floor watching the colored lights on the Tree and singing! How little it takes to make children happy, or their parents and friends, for that matter!

The Eliot Circle thanks its many friends.

Santa Claus in Disguise.

One of our good friends, who lives alone, was greatly surprised and delighted to receive a visit on Christmas Eve from Santa Claus bringing a real Christmas tree, decorated and ready to light. What different disguises the good Saint can assume! This time he appeared as a woman, with two little children!

Another visit he made on that same evening was upon a family of children we know. Again he came with a tree and all the "fixings," but this time he was a young man and his bride, with another man to trundle the wheelbarrow!

Then Santa Claus has a wonderful way of getting himself into packages, letters, and even postal cards! In that way he came to so many of us, bringing messages from friends whom we have not seen for a long time, but in whose hearts "his spirit" dwells. Dear friends, we cannot name you all, scattered over this great country, but it is sweet to be thus rem mbered. message we reproduce here, that it may reach all for whom it was intended:

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Pasadena. Cal., Dec. 17, 1910.

To the dear Bishop, to the Pastor, to all the dear friends of Bulfinch Place Church, we send Christmas and New Year's Greetings, and though our temporary religious home is with the Or