The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-15
OBSERVING CHILDREN'S DAY
The Origin Of the Day, and the Results
of It's Annual Observance.
The Special Services Held Yesterday in the
Methodist Churches-The Observance Of
the Day by Other Denominations.

LIN Obokk UhN Va
the Day by Other Denominations.
Yesterday was observed in a number of our
city churches. Presbyterian, Baptist and Metho-
all the Methodist Episcopal Churches. The
Methodist origin of the day-the germ of the
beautiful fruit now being gathered year after
year on each succeeding second Sunday in June
was in 1866, when the hundredth year of
Methodism in the United States was publicly
celebrated. In that year large sums of money
had been contributed for various church purpos-
es for missionary work. Among these contribu-
tions was a sum amounting to nearly $40, 600 not
designated for any special purpose. 1t was de-
cided to place that money into an
educational fund to be known as "the
childrens fund.-" as this undesignated fund
had in the main come from the Sunday schools.
Later a plan was adopted for the constant in
crease of the fund. and in the development of
that plan the General Conference of 1872 appoint
ed the second Sunday in June to be everywhere
observed as "Children's Day" on which a collec-
ton should be taken up in aid of the fund. This
fund, used for the general purposes of education,
and especially for the education of those intend
ing missionary or ministerial work, has now
reached the sum of $3.50. 600. Over 300 students
have been aided by it and nearly all of these l.
300 were grown-up Sunday-school children.
Many have become teachers; forty have become
missionaries in foreign lands, and more
than 200 have become ministers
in more than sixty conferences. The
observance of the day, beginning in this country,
has extended around the world, and the chill
fancy, has aided the children of the poor in OBJ
tanning an education their circumstances would
not allow.
AT CHURCH..
The Children's Day services at the Meridian
street Church, yesterday forenoon, brought out a
large audience. The floral decorations were
numerous and beautiful, and the music, which
was specially selected for the occasion, was no.
ticeably good. A part Of the observance of the
day was taken up with a memorial service for
the deceased members of the Sabbath school
those who have died since last
'Children's Day" This was an exceedingly
interesting part Of the exercises. Several classes
were graduated from the primary department
to the youths department.. Charles W.. Smith,
superintendent of the primary department,
made an address, which was responded to by
Miss Eva Austin. Remarks were also made by
A. D. Lynch. The services closed with the an
nual contribution by the children.
The recent change in the time Of holding
Sunday school, from the afternoon to the morn
ing, has been of marked benefit. The school
now meets at 10 o'clock. This shortens the
morning church service, but there is a gain
from the fact that many now remain after the
Sabbath school for the church service. The
Sunday school is larger, too, than it would be if
held In the afternoon. Besides this, the omis-
sion of Sunday-school from the afternoon seems
to encourage the attendance at the evening
church service.
AT ROBERTS PARK CHURCH.
Rev. ]. Fl. Mcconnell preached a sermon, yes
terday morning, specially for the day, to the
children, their parents and friends. His text
was taken from Proverbs viii, II. IL, II, IS: s
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the
things that may be desired are not to be compared
to it.
], wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out
knowledge of witty inventions.
love them that love me; and those that seek me
early shall find me.
Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches
and righteousness.
Following the sermon ten persons joined the
church. Ten persons were baptized, SIX of whom
had been previously received on probation, the
remaining four being baptized as children,
The celebration of the day by the Sunday
school took place in the evening in the main
audlence-room of the church, which had been
p~rofusely and tastefully decorated with flowers
and plants, numerous cages of singing birds
being uncovered in the lowers. The exercises
consisted of singing, responsive readings and a
beautiful little service by the infant class, the
last under the management of Mrs. Anna
was arranged with golden gates, over which
was a blazing star. The young actors did their
parts we'll
AT c-ENTRAL-AvENUE CHURCH.
At Central-avenue church practically the whole
day was given to the children. The church was
handsomely decorated with potted plants and
flowers; han ging- baskets depended from the
chandeliers, brackets with flowers were between
the windows, while the platform and altar were
fairly a bower of beauty. A half-dozen merry
voiced canaries added their songs to the pleasing
effect. In the morning Rev. DR.. Marine preached
a sermon from the text Except We be converted
and become as little children, We shall in no
In the afternoon the regular Sunday
school exercises were intermitted. There
was much singing and an address or two by home
talent. At night was the great occasion. The
church was filled, and a special programme Of
exercises performed without a hitch. A choir of
young misses, under the lead of Prof. Naylor,
with Miss Jessie Apologize at the organ, led the
song service; there was a responsive reading of
choice passages OF SCRIPTURES; an address by DR..
Marine; Miss Fannie Marine sang a solo; there
Edgar Springer, Floyd Lamb, Willie
McMasters, May Henley, Walter Fletcher,
Donald Morris, Charlie Cooper, Freddie Huff,
Johnnie Keeper, Edith and Lillian Brownfeld,
Annie Bunger and Miss Jennie yelling. One of
the most charming features was a floral offering
made by seven little misses, who accompanied
their gifts with appropriate passages of Script
ure-Edith Smith, May Wheeler, Annie Huff,
lula Safer, Edna Gunckel, Minnie Lee and Celia
Barry. Altogether it was a great day for the
little folks of Central avenue.
AT THrRD-STREET NJ. e. CHURCH
At the Third street NJ. d. Church, which, by
the way, was the first church in this city to OBJ