Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-09
SUNDAY EVENING CONCERT
OF The FIrst African Baptist sunday
school,

The First African Baptist Sunday School
was last evening crowded to its full capacity,
seats being placed In the aisle to sceommo-
date the immense throng, the occasIon being
Sunday evening concert, for the benefit OF
the Georgia Baptist Convention, which
meets shortly in Thomasville.
The church was very tastefully decora-
ed large festoons of moss and flowers being
Suspended on hooks from the gallery. The
altar was profueely decorated with choice
flowers. and presented a very attractive
sight, Stretching across the entire church
over the pulpit from gallery to gallery, was
a streamer bearing in gilt letters the in
scription:
"Young men and maidens, old men and
children praise the name Of the Lord"
Beneath this in similar style wss given the
text of the evenings lesson, "Pious Young
of the Bible"
The exercises were opened with singing,
followed by reading of the Scriptures and
prayer by the pastor, Rev. VIM. Gibbons,
and another HYMN.
The opening address was then well given
by a little girl, which was followed by sing
ing.
"Pious Young OF the Bible," followed.
The scholars who had been selected to rep
resent these Bible characters, when called
upon, arose In their seats, and holding aloft
placard strip. emblazoned with the name
in gilt letters, would repeat an appropriate
verse from the Bible, and presented the
placard to one of the teachers, when 1t was
suspended on corded frame on each side
of the altar, the male characters on the
left and the female characters on the right,
In the following manner: Josiah, Solomon,
Samuel. David, Moses, Abel, Hannah,
Michael, Miriam, Deborah, Rebekah, Ze-
phora, the whole making up very pretty
picture.
A duet BY two young women, personatiDg
Ruth and Naomie, was then sung ad fnte-
rim, also the song "Dare to be Daniel, "
by two little boys, the school joining in the
chorus.
In the centre between the two columns
framed of the names of tie "Pious Young
Of the Bible" were stretched three strings,
and upon these were suspended letters
handed by different members OF the
school, who each repeated an appropriate
verse of the Bible, the letters making the
sentence, the Child Jesus; The last
letter Isl in this sentence was handed In by
a most dlminutive girl, apparently not four
years Of age, who repeated her verse, how
ever, with remarkable facility and in clear
distinct tone.
The HYMN ''Never from Thee will we
stray" was sung by some ten little girls and
boys in very excellent time, being accom-
panied on the organ.
The school sang "Ring, ring the belf'' and
"Little children always welcome" during
the taking up of collection to defray the
expenses of the State Convention, as afore-
mentioned. A very neat sum was raised.
The exercises were then closed with sing
ing the doxology and the pastor pronouncing
the benediction.
Previous to closing the superintendent,
Charles Delamotta. returned thanks for the
large audience and the excellent order that
had been preserved throughout. and stated
that By request of number OF the congre-
CATION, Photographic views OF the altar dec
orations would be taken this morning, and
copies could be procured by those who dc
sired them, the proceeds to be devoted to
the same object as that for which the col
lection was taken.
This Sunday School was organized on
the 2lst July, 1861, and Is now In very
flourishing condition numbering over
three hundred scholars. The chill
dren and young men and
women ere sll neatly dressed and looked
well, presenting a very respectable appear
ance. The celebration was extremely cred
table to all concerned, and we are pleased
to record the evidence furnished by this ex-
hibition of the interest taken In such mat
tiers by large class of our colored citizens.
The celebration last night was credit to
them in every respect.