Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-28

| christmas kesGtEai aS BE on MS
The sunday school children Of &c. Johns
Church were unalloyedly happy last evening
on the occasion of the regular Christmas
festival of the Sunday school, aud about
half-past seven o'clock the teachers, chill
dren, and many members of the congrega-
ton, assembled in the church to chant the
Christmas carols, aud to join in the glad
ness sure to be brought to the many young
hearts present by the munifcence of
Santa Claus. The services were opened
by the rector, Rev. Charles II. Strong, with
q short prayer, after which the Sunday
school united in singing several beautiful
hymns commemorative of the season, and
which were interspersed with fitting re.
marks by the rector. The singing, in which
the little ones especially heartily Joined,
was very sweet, aud showed careful train
ing, refecirg great credit upon both schol-
ars and teachers.
At length, the carols being ended, the
entire school aud all others present filed
through the aisles of the church, and pro-
ceeded to the Sunday school building
adjoining, where q scene Of rare beauty was
awaiting them. On entering, the platform
was seen completely enveloped by q red
curtain, screening everything from view,
but behind this the Re Election of numerous
candles served to fill the hearts of the chill
dTen with happy anticipstions of what was
in store for them. After a few moments
the curtain was drawn aside, and we ven
ture the prediction that the little folks will
never, while they live. forget the beautiful
sight revealed to them. Three Christmas
trees, all brllisntly lighted with little can
dies, and resplendent with presents, stood
one at each end of the platform and one at
the centre, while In the top of the latter
l.
with his long owing beard. and clad in bis
snow covered garments-smoking his pipe
while complacently contemplating
the happiness he Was about to
bestow. He did not long remain upon his
high perch, however, but quickly descend
ed aud began his labor of love, bestowing
candies and oranges freely upon everv child
10 the room. Il is true, bis mingling with
the audience somewhat dispelled the FLU
sion, for he was speedily recognized as
being no other person than our fellow
citizen Mr.. G. C. Park, but, nevertheless,
his visits we're as welcome and he was as
cordially received as IL he had been the
veri.able Santa Claus himself.
The bestowsl of presents was then begun
in earnest, and was kept up until every
child in the Sunday school had received
something. The presents, too, were not
mere cheap nOthiBgs, but had been selected
Sitn great care. and with the Object in view
of giving the children presents suitable TO
their respective ages, and which each could
enjoy. The judgment thus displayed was
we'll rewarded ty the expressions of genuine
pleasure waich each gift called forth.
After this was over, Mr.. Strong an
nounced that there were some presents yet
to be given. One of these, a handsome
chain, was presented on behalf of the
teachers, Ia a very neat speech, by Mr..
Murray Davidson TO Mrs. E B. Burke, the
accomplished orgsnist of the church. in
token OF the appreciation felt for her zeal
aud care in the musical training of the
school. The other was fine set of "The
Life OF Christ" handsomely illustrated,
which was presented to Mr.. Clarence s. Con
nerat, the energetic and capable superin-
tendent, and who received them with few
neat and appropriate remarks.
Thus ended the Christmas festival for
1881 in st. Johns parish. L. reflected great
credit upon all concerned in it, and will
doubtless do much towards binding more
closely tC gether the Sunday schools, and so
rebound TO the welfare of the schools, the
church and the entire community.