Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-26
SANTA CLAUS,
And Iii. Capcrs at the First Presbyterian
Church Last Thursday Evening.

SANTA CLAUS,
And His Capcr. at the First Presbyterian
Church Last Thursday Evening.
On Thursday evening of this week every
available foot of space in the Sunday school
room of the First Presbyterian church was
occupied by members of the Sunday school
and church and their friends. who enjoyed
one of the most pleasing and interesting
Christmas entertainments ever given IN
this city.
The leading feature of the occasion, and
in which general interest cemtered. Was
bright little Christmas cantata entitled.
Santa Claus Mistake. or \ Bundle "f
Sticks which was rendered by members
of the Sunday school under the direction of
Prof. Aldrich.
The manner in which the little folks per
formed their parts was surprise To all
present and w"n for them many words of
praise. They seemed to forget that there
was an audience present and entered into
the spirit of the work a. though it were
real.
The first scene represents the home OF
little girl. who has invited her cousins,
uncle> and auntS Ia spend Christmas with
her The time i Christmas eve when the
scene opens The little folks are buSily EN-
gagged in decorating Christmas tire" and
talking of th" coming of Santa Claus.
Al the close of this part the little folks
Il. 81.
I" bed. The little girls make answer that
they want Ia sing their dollie> Ia sleep first.
whereupon five little cradles are placed in
a room and tive little girls. under six Years
of age. each with doll in her arms. stand
in line and sing a sweet little lullaby which
includes an enumeration of the things that
Santa Claus will bring for dolly.
This number in itself. well repaid every
one for coming. With an accent of Inger-
/ ing habyh"od, the clear. sweet voices of the
/ little >ongSter> touched an answering chord
| in the heart of every one present
| The little song contains three StanzaS.
every syllable of which was sung from
memory without a single mistake.
! The little misses who enjoyed this honor
were Birdie Crowell. Kitty Ward. Maud
Butt, Oracle Butt and Mabel Thomas.
The part of Aunt Rachel was performed
| by Miss Alice Nose in an exceedingly cred
liable manner. especially her singing,
which was highly enjoyed by all present.
' Miss Fannie Rowe performed the part of
Mablr Sheldon in manner that contributed
materially to the success of the entertain
mcnt
Miss Nora Christie took the part of
Molly. the little match peddIer, and did her
work Splendidlv. her rich alto voice being
admirably adopted Ia the requirements Of
/ her part.
I Master Dick" deserves high praise for
the manner in which his part was per
formed
| Prof. Aldrich, who drilled the little folks
i'll their work. took the part of Santa Claus
in way that led many I" believe that ii
was Old 81. Nick himself
Another feature worthy of mention is the
chorus work. all nf which was done from
memory without noticeable mistake in
word> or music. And last but not least
was the work of little Birdie Cruwell a>
Dot" Although not more than six wears
of age. She spoke her part sufficiently clear
and distinct to bc heard by everyone pres
ent.
Before the cantata began the gifts for
the poor" brought both by children and
parents, We're piled up in the corner, reach
ing almost half way tu the ceiling-fiour,
potatoes corn meal, clothing and money.
After setting apart what would be needed
for the poor in the church and Sunday
school. the balance was turned over to the
Associated Charities" \ novel feature of
this part of the programme was an ''admiS-
sion fee Of one apple or potato. Ia receive
which two large sugar barrels were placed
at the entrance. \ third one became nee
eSsary before all We're in. The part for
the poor was large part Of the pleasure
of the evening. 1t j. more blessed to give
than 10 receive"
Following the cantata came the diStribu
ton Of presents. of which it can he said
without fear of contradiction. that 81 large
a number "t costly presents was never given
la the members of Sunday school i'll this
city before. and for which. aS well a. the
fine entertainment credit is principally due
to the efforts and energy OF J.
:. CrOwell. the live superintendent
of the Sunday school. who sets an example
which is certainly worthy of emulation.
NOTES.
J. :. Crnwell would like 10 know where
his present came from. No one knows hut
Santa Claus. and he won't tell
DIR. FaIc"ncr rejoiceS in the possession of
a new polar bear gun.
Noble King sits up INTO the night playing
his organnina.
Harry Humphreys makes Rome howl
with his new Arcticaphome
Thanks are due Miss Elsie Lenhart and
Mr.. Nathan for assistance.
The GLuBE-RErUBLIC is requested 10
state that about sixty poor families are
in the First Church Sunday
school.
CHRISTMAS Al THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .
FRIDAY EVENING.
Christmas was observed at the First Bap-
ti>t church last night in an appropriate
manner. Tn" audirnC" that assembled was
large. entirely filling the main audience .
room and part "t the room next in the rear.