The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-06-14
SATURDAY, JUNE IA, 1879.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
An Exquisite sabbath school FIorai
NPryIan

IN hNfuthtc Sabbnth school flOrai
Service.
The Methodist Protestant Church was the
scene, last Sabbath night, Of an Overlooking
audience and unique and beautiful mission.
AIRY service by the children of the church.
The pastor and DR. Ward sat, respectively
on the right aud left within the chancel, while
between them, Immediately in front of the
pulpit, was erected a tall arch in dark conrs,
the precise significance or utility of which was
ut first enigmatical. The superintendent and
other officers we're ranged adjacent to the
chunccl, while the children, hcuded by their
teachers, occupied the front seats in the cen.
tire of tho church; the immense body Of ysi.
tors slowing themselves away ia all the vacant
places, including the gallery, which the choir
had exchanged for the space between the oil
eating ministers aud the upper rows of
pews. Then came the following order of
services - Singing by the children, led blythe
ch0lr-the latter reinforced By the fine voice
of DIR. Curry, of Ballmore-Mi Ada Starr
Organist; prayer by DR.. Ward; responsive
Scripture readings by the pastor and school;
recitation Of the Ten Commandments by two
elasses, one OF boys, the other of girls; then
the same M verse by class of very small
girls. All this was excellent in effect but the
climax Of the occasion was reached by the
superintendent calling the various classes
As each class was called by the emblem
name they had adopted, they arose and re-
cited a verse from the Bible appropriate to
the names, then two of the number advanced
to the chancel and presented their emblem
wrought beautifully in flowers, together with
n boquet and missionary contribution. The
boquet was Immediately placed against the
dark arch, already referred to. Presently
perpendicular column of ias;einlly arranged
flowers covered the middle of the arch from
top to bottom; the emblems such as the Bible,
ahc Cross, the Shield, the Harp, the Anchor,
ahe Sword, the Globe, the Nest, being piled
at the base of the floral cuiamn. Then, rs
other boqueis wero presented, they began 10
be disposed Of horizontally on the arch, until,
from the transverse outer edge on the one side
to The centre, there was abroad line Of flowers;
aud still, as ether offerings were made, the
other side of the arch grew into similar shape
and proportions, and in moment burst upon
the view an exquisitely fashioned Gross, in
all the varied tints and beauty OF the gardens
richest, sweetest summer robes. Nothing re.
mained TO make the picture perfect, bat a
Crown for the Cross, and that was promptly
brought and adjusted. A murmer OF admira.
ton, which in any place less sacred than a
church, would have been hearty dcmonstra
tons Of applause, whs audible all over the
house. A few appropriate remarks from DR..
Ward and the benedictiOn by the pastor closed
the scene OF rare interest, in which there were
so apty outlined in the gradual formation Of
the Cross the successive developments OF Di.
vine Providence during the ages OF time, cu.
mnating at last in Calvary grand exhibition
TO the universe