Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-28
EASTER FESTIVAL.
st. Johns Sunday School Celebration
Last EVENING" Happy Occasion.

st. Johns Sunday school Celebration
Last Evening-A Happy Occasion
The Easter Festival of the st. Johns
Sunday school was held at the church last
evening. The edifice was crowded to It's
utmost capacity long before the hour an
noupced for the opening of the exercises,
and many were unable to gain
admission. The pews opening from
the centre aisle were reserved for the
children, and the side seats and aisles and
the choir gallery were packed. Shortly
after eight O'Clock the pupils of st. Johns
and Christ Church schools were gathered
IN the sunday school room. and, with BAN
ners carried at the head of each class,
marched through the entrances TO the
church and down the aisles, singing I'VE
are Soldiers of the Cross The sight
was indeed beautiful. The gayly attlred
children. with their bright and happy
faces and each carrying bouquet or
wreath Of flowers, passed before the altar
and threw their offerings at the foot OF a
large floral cross erected just outside the
chancel rail, building a huge mound OF
beautiful fragrant flowers. The church
was richly decorated with floral en-
blems. and the chancel seemed hlled with
a mass of cOlOrs. Stretched across above
the desks was an arch. bearing emDlelns
church faith on the other. Above the arch
were the words THE Christian Faith" and
1.-The Christian Life representing the
emblems below.
As soon as the children were seated the
|, Lords PRAYER and Collects were said, and
the carol CANCELS Roll the Rock Away
was sung. The Scripture lesson was read
by Rev. Thomas Boone, rector of Christ
Church. and was followed by the carol
Echoes from the Sky"
The presentation of banners and offer
ings was made. and each class, as the
name was called, carried its ban
ner. with the Easter offering, to the
chancel. where they We're received by
the superintendent, Mr.. Clarence Come
rat. and the banners placed in circle
about the chancel rail. The last banners
presented were memorials in memory of
deceased pupils, to be carried, one at
Easter and the other at Christmas
time. by the classes bearing the best
record for scholarship and depOrt-
ment Following the presentation was
I beautiful Easter carol, sWeetly sung
by the infant class, when the rector, Rev.
1 Charles III. Strong, gave an object lesson,
first explaining the Christian faith by
means of the emblems displayed on the
arch, and calling upon the various classes
of the school for scTipt1ral verses appr0-
pirate 10 the occasion. The responses
were prompt and clear. and added to the
interest of the exercises. The lesson was
attended with close attention. At its
close the carOE ''Ring Out, Ye Throbbing
stars of Night was sung, and at the end
Of the third verse the church chimes rang
out. and the school softly sang the last
verse with touching effect.
The second part of the object lesson in
/ cIuded a brief address by the Rector
upon the ''Christian Life" After the adj
dress, and during the chanting of the
Apostles creed, the gas was lowered and
a Strong light from reflector in the rear
part of the church was thrown upon
| the chanceI, and the mass of
/ flowers and magnificent banners, pre-
/ senting a beautiful scene. At the
I last words of the creed the lights were
again turned ON. the school and choir
sang the carol, Victory, Victory Won
/ for us All'' with telling effect. The bene-
I dictiOn was pronounced and during the
singing of the professional the school
marched from the church to the school
room. and the audience was dismissed.
I The rectors Of Christ, st. Stephens and
| st. Matthew's Churches were in attend
/ ance during the services.