National Republican., 1875-12-28
cHRIsrnAs FESTIVAL.
ne Calvary Baptist sunday Set ool aud It's
Hifsions.


Decidedly one OF the hsppiest and most pleasing
entertainments that has been giving in this city
for some tine past took place last evening at the
Calvary Baptist church, It being the annual
Christmas festival Of the Sunday school scholars
ofthat church and It's offspring, Calvary and
Kendall ehspels
The church was organized In 1913, and imned'-
ately thereafter the Sunday school was started,
and has made ouch rapid progress and increase
that now, in point of numbers, It exceeds many
similar organizations in the city. When it be-
came 8 permanent bedy, operating to the salts
faction Of those: persons who inauEursted and Ia
bored to bring It to the.success attained, they
looked about seeking where . spot might be
found that the seed Of che church could be sOMn
on productive ground and bring forth good fruit.
IL was discovered that the northwestern section
of the city was not blessed with these opportuni-
for for the S care and Welfare OH Of human souls, and
steps were taken to Immediately supply the need:
In November, 1856, the Kendall chapel school
the corner of Thirteen-and-a-half and d streets
southwest for their use. From this small begin
ming has sprung Q large and promising school,
not at isult in establishing it, but that they sup
piled the want Of the many searching for the light
Happy in the success Of their work, and ever
ready to extend their feldoi labor where 1t might
prove beneficial, they, in August, 1862 organised
streets northwest-named the Calvary chapel
and soon had q school In operation, budding with
bright promise. These children Of the parent parent
and teachers, who find many pleasures in their
work of labor and love-that Of bringing the little
cruchIlon, resurrection and entrance into the New
From precedent the children of the school and
cipated the anniversary Of the birth Of Christ in
connection with the recurrence OF the church fes-
tiyal, when they All were rememeereda and received
In the schools. Consequently, this event was one
to be looked forward TO by them with eommin-
Last night was the time liked for the observance
OF the annual festival and Calvary Baptist chur:h
liked upon as the place for the celebration. The
Sunday schools of the church and ehapels were to
assemble at o'clock in the afternoon, but it was
nearer before everything was In readiness TO be.
gin. As the presentation was pretaced with an
Interesting programme, inlwhich the scholars only
were participants, this brought out the parents
and friends, and, as a consequence, the church
was crowded to excess BY persons dssrous Of wit
Hon. VIM. Stickney, superintendent of the
Calvary Baptist school, conducted the AFFAIR In Q
manner decidedly creditable 70 all concerned.
First came Christmas carol, entitled 'Christ is
Born, by the schools, then reading Of the Scrip
tures. Prayer followed and then Mr.. StckRey
briefly addressed the scholars, speaking Of the
pleasure it afforded him to meet them and the
cause OF such joyful reunion. The scholars Of |
and the little baby voices Of the infant class fol-
lowed, lisping cut in sweet musical strains "The
Morning Star" 4
Mr. Z. c. Townsend recited, in his usual 40.
ceptable manner, THE scho0lmasters guests"
Rev. Byron Sunderland, by invitation. made
few remarks, and then came Ye Old Folks in |
'Let all rejoice" The little ones were all at |
tired In costumes fashionable century ago, and |
pot only sang well, but acted out their assumed |
characters in a manner highly complimentary to |
them. They were marked on the programme for |
three appearances, and it is unnecessary to say
more than every appearance was the signal Tor |
applause. The gem Of the evenings entertain
nent was the recitations by Eva Henderson, q
little miss, dressed in pink, and not over four
years old. She first rected 1.-The returning prod /
galr which was so finely done that the audience Il
recalled her, and she gave them "My dolly, only /
me year old"
Her voice was very clear, and the words she /
poke could be distinctly heard throughout the /
.hurch. The many fattering expressions used 4
night do for the little lady at her present age,
,ut as years creep on her admirers will doubtless
be more guarded In their speech.
At the close Of the entertainment the baskets
md piles Of boxes were brought forward on the Il
platform, and then the distribution commenced,
md continued until all were gone and not
cholar missed. 1t was easy to perceive, as the
fright eyes and smiling faces turned round 10
he audience on receiving gift, that the little
learts were overhowing with happiness, and the
christmas festival would not soon be forgotten by
he children, no matter how soon IL should leave |
he minds Of the older heads.