The Morning herald., 1875-10-27
TINE CATECHISM BEE .A1 WEST
CHURCH. IL

AN INTERESTING OCCAsIOx-THE YOUNG
LADIES CARRY OFF THE PRIZES.
Last evening the Sunday School room o.
the West Presbyterian Church, Eighth and
Washington streets, was well filed with ar
appreciative audience. In the back part Of
the room a stage had been erected, on which
were seated the participants in the Bee, con-
s.sting of thirteen young ladies and two
gentlemen. At O'Clock the exercises of the
evening were opened with singing by the
church choir, which was followed by a
prayer from Rev. j. NJ. P. Otis, who next
stated the object of the Bee, and announced
that three prizes would be awarded to the
three best informed on the I" Westmin-
lister Shorter Catechism," Messrs.
Baird and Morrow were chosen as Judges,
and Mr., Otis to give out the questions.
The first round of questions fails1 to de-
crease the number on the stage ,and the sec
ond was nearly as successful, but one of the
ladies decided to retire on the Goth question !:
the next lady, out of sympathy, no doubt,
failed on the 3Oth question, SO accompanied
the first lady out. The line once broken,
one after another retired, so at the conclusion
of asking the 10th question, all the cate
chism contained only four ladies and one
gentleman remained to contest for the
prizes.
After the 18th question had been au-
swered, the choir was again requested to
sing, which was granted; Miss Ella Griffith
then read a selection entitled "The Old Man
and the Model Church." which was so well
rendered that the audience could scarcely
refrain from loud demonstrations of ap-
plause.
The questions were again taken up in
their order, and, considering the length of
some OF the answers, were replied to with
an accuracy which plainly showed the young
ladies knew their Catcchism anyhow.
Ihe last OF the two gentlemen held his
position till the 1O5th question was pro-
pounded,w fell to his lot to attempt an
answer his only effort was 81 don't know"
SO he descended from the stage to Join those
who had gone before. Only four ladies now
remained, and all the questions had been
answered but two, SO after more singing
Dy the choir and the reading of "The
Cur1ew must not ring tonight" by Miss
drlfllth, it was decided to give out the ques-
lions from'the Catechism promscuously this {
was accordingly done, but when the ques- :
ions had all been answered for the second
line, the four ladies still occupied their res
poectlve positions on the stage. Mr.. OTIS !
men made few remarks to the audience. 5
aylng that he did not believe there was a
lngle question in the catechism that could O
lot be answered correctly by the ladies, and II
% proposed that four prizes of equal value
Mould be awarded to them. A BiLle Die h
llohary, Valued at $3.50, was intended for "
ne first prize Blnyan's Pilgrims Pro-
ress, and Hymn Book, each worth $3.50 =,
'ere intended for the second and third y
,rlzes; but it was decided not to award
hem. o.
lhe young ladies who could not I've
,s'uck' We're. Miss Addie Belts, Miss Ella
{, a,Ker, Miss saflie Jones, and Miss Matte
All present seemed to enjoy the entertain "
hent very much, and as the room was full,
10 doubt quite sum was realized. &C