Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-27
CHRISTMAS IN RICHMOND.

Quiet and Orderly Observance or the Day
Churches Well Attended Christma..Tre
for the Peor.
Christmas was quietly observed here.
Of horn-blowing there was less than there
had previously been on such a day for
years-an Improvement much appreciated
by pcaceable people. Fire-crackers and
fireworks were not near so literally used
as formerly, which may be accounted for by
the fact that men and boys INDUCED very
largely In this sort Of fun at the various and
sundry Cleveland demonstrations bere re-
Gently aud had no appetite for n repetition
OF the thing so soon. There was the mini
mum OF drunkenness and no very serious
fights. Altogether II was one OF the quiet
est Christmases OF recent years. The At
tendance at the various churches was large
and the services in keeping with the JOYOUS
day.
LEIGB.sTREET BAPTIST CHURCH SUNDAY
SCHOOL.
On Christmas-Day, 1853. there met TO-
eether few earnest sunday school workers
from The various Baptist churches in this
city, who resolved 10 organize a school Of
that denomination In the eastern portion OF
the city. IL Is sufficient to say that not only
were they successful In their undertaking,
but the wisdom Of their choice Of localities
Is now abundantly demonstrated when II is
said that the outgrowth OF their labors
stands so-day the second largest white
Sunday school IN the State, II not in the
South, there being 600 scholars on the roll.
Verify they builded better than they knew.
On each recurring anniversary It has
been the custom for the school TO assemble
and celebrate Its organization by devotional
exercises and the distribution Of good
things. Thursday at 10 O'Clock the officers,
teachers, and scholars gathered IN tie main
audlence-room OF the church and executed
programme which had been prepared for
the occasion. II consisted OF singing. re-
sponsiye reading. an address OF congratu-
lstion by Rev. John B. Turpin ian old
scholar and now pastor OF the church
in Cbarlottesville). and poetic recitation
by Master James Harwoou, a scholar OF the
school. The church organ was presided
over by Professor Ide. the organist OF the
church, and the Sundav-schoOl organ by
Miss Annie Courtney, the Sunday-school
organist.
When the programme was concluded
the school was notified that refreshments
had been provided for them in the lecture
room, which announcement was received
with demonstrations Of delight, and as Pro-
fessor lde struck up march on the grand
organ the assemblage proceeded to the sun
day-school room and there awaited the next
feature OF the programme, which was the
distribution OF cOnfectioneries, etc. A new
and novel departure was introduced on this
occasion, which afforded immense enjoy
ment to the children. Messrs. J. ID. Rey.
nolds. W. NJ. Cole, L. W. Traylor, Apper.
son johnson, A. {. Williams, ard CT. AM
mons, who were in appropriate costume.
acted as Santa Claus, and distributed their
presents throughout the school-tO the good
and bad children alike.
From the reports read on the OCCASION
the following will give an idea OF the
strength OF tins school: Number OF officers
and teachers on roll, 50; scholars, j42; av-
erase attendance OF scholars for the year,
1922; largest attendance on any Sunday du-
ring the year, G15: church membership,
S15: church members in school, 1874 con-
yersionA l.: deaths, 5; new scholars, III;
collections for all purposes, s39s.01. Miss
Martha Pitt has been present every sunday
for twelve years Miss Mary Pitt every sun
day for seven; w. NJ. Martin, J. f. Liggon,
Ollie Liggon, and W. 4. Byerly. every
Sunday for three and T. W. Tignor,
Charles Murray. Turner Matthews. and
Miss Edna Beyille, every Sunday for two
years.
The primary department; has 2G0 scholars
on the roll, with an average attendance du-
ring the year Of l16. The largest attend
ance during the past four years was on the
second Sunday in this month, when there
were 257 scholars present. Two deaths oc-
CURED in this department during the year.
To Mr.. W. II. Williams and his corps OF
assistants are due the present prosperity Of
the school. Mr.. A. b. Clarke has superin-
tendence OF the primary department, and
the condition OF his charge indicates that
he is the man for the place.
The school will meet next sunday AFTER
noon for the election Of officers for the en-.
suing year.
a great part Of the success OF Thursdays
celebration is due to Mr.. +. Il. Butler, who
is invaluable on such an occasion.
CHRISTMAS FOR THE POOR.
The Young ladies OF the WOmen's Chris
tian Temperance Union were all busy yes
terday preparing for the entertainment
OF The poor at old Market Hall to-day.
Tables had to be put up and dressed, de-
coratlons had to be made, notices made
and hung up. and candy.bags prcpared,
and fair fingers were deity arranging all
these. The doors will be eopened TO those for
whom this work il done at | O'Clock to-
day. The exercises will begin by few
short addresses from weIl-known gentle
men OF the city, and be interspersed with
music and singing by quartette.
While a good deal has been done, there
is still much undone. and the ladies will be
kept busy to-day until the hour for open
ing.
As is ALWAYS the clse, our people have
responded quite libcrally, and a good many
articles were sent IN yesterday, amongst
them a barrel Of -four. bag OF meal.
Of bee;, box OF cbildren's shoes,
coffee, sugar, candies, &C., Sc. But there
is not yet enough, especially Of toys. The
gifts for the children will form an interest
ing feature OF the occasion, and the man
ayers are anxious that none who come will
go away empty.handed. Any arti Gle sent
in before 10 or IL O'Clock to-day will be
received. and receive proper
A little more funds are
needed to purchase few articles that have
not been donated.
The ladics cordially invite those who
have 80 literally helped them. as well a.
all interested in the cause, 10 come TO the
hall at any hour tomorrow and 10 see how
and 10 whom their bounty is bestowed.
few gentlemen can find several hour
work TO do by applying at the hall at any
time during the day.
CEREMONIES IN THE PENITENTIARY
CHAPEL.
By permission Of General Terry. the etfi-
cient Superintendent Of the Penitenuafy,
the conyicts, in consideration OF their good
behavior, were permitted to celebrate
Christmas by concert and religious SER
vices. A number OF ladies and gentlemen
by invitation, extended to those who had
taken a SPECIAL interest in the spiritual wei
fare Of the prisoners, assembled in the
chapel at II O'clock A. NJ. on Thursday.
The conyicts attended in full force. Colo
mel William p. Munford, the superintend-
ent OF the Sunday school, presided, and
the religious services.
Mr.. Ramos, the organlst Of Centenary
church, conducted the music.
The services were opened with prayer
by Rev. John b. Crenshaw. The presld-
ing officer then read a portion OF the
twenty.fith chapter OF st. Mathew-from
The thirty.tirst 10 the fortieth verse inclu-
sIve.
A number Of beautiful pieces OF music
were rendered by Sir. Ramos and the
rhoir-soIos, duets, ,quartettes, and chOrdses.
The instrumental and vocal DerfOrmancrs