St. Paul daily globe., 1886-06-14
CHILDREN,s DAY.
Flowers and Special Services I'm
Many Churches.

Many Churches.
Yesterday was observed as Children's
day in all the Methodist churches of the city
and in a number Of others. The Methodist
Episcopal church first adopted the custom
of dedicating the second Sunday in June to
the children, which made four Sundays in
the year devoted to them by this denomina-
ton: Christmas, Easter, Children's day
devoted TO Christian education
and Good Tidngs day in Oc-
tober, devoted to the Sunday school idea.
The second Sunday in June, which has no
significance i'll the old church calendar, was
chosen on account of the season, just the
beginning of summer, when nature is at its
best and all the flowers are in bloom,
furnishing an abundance of floral decora-
ton, which is nseparable from Children's
day. Another reason for selecting this day
is that it is in the midst of the commence
ment season. when the subject of education
is supposed to be uppermost in all minds,
and from this idea comes the educational
topic of children's day. In all the churches
in which Children's day was celebrated
there was floral decoration in beautiful pro-
fusion, they being second only to Easter in
this respect.
AT THE FIRST METHODIST.
At the First NJ, E. church the children's
floral service was extremely interesting.
The front of the church was perfect mass
Of natural flowers. The pulpit platform
was completely concealed and wide
border Of beautiful wild flowers extended
the entire length Of the choir front. EX-
quisite designs, cunningly wrought, repre-
senting crowns. crosses, anchors and stars
appeared at all points and choir of sweet
voiced canary birds warbled throughout the
pretty service. A large white arch spanned
the front of the pulpit platform and bore
the legend, Consider the lilies" The
service was largely composed of songs
which were nicely rendered by the little
folks, with the accompaniment of piano,
organ and orchestra. Mrs. Nellie
George and Miss Grace Moorhouse
contributed appropriate vocal solos
the former giving charming adaptation Of
Consider the Lilies" A pleasant incident
of the service was the presentation
of Bible and gold-headed cane to Mr.
Lawton, who. after connection of twenty
eight years with the church, is about to
sever his ties and move from the city. Dr.
Smith made the presentation in a happy
manner. Five infants were baptized and
the impressive ceremony was particularly
appropriate for the occasion.
JACKSON STREET METHODIST.
Jackson Street M. E. church was very
beautifully decorated with flowers, which
were placed in profuson about the pulpit
In the midst of all this floral magnificence
the hundreds Of little ones, mostly in white
and of all ages, presented a scene as full of
life and energy as it was of beauty. The
music was specially selected for the day
and the choir led the Sunday school and
congregation in rendering it. An at
tractive musical feature was song by the
infant class. Dr.. Forbes, the pastor, and
Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller made ad-
dresses to the children. The collection
taken up at this service is annually given
to the church board of education and loaned
out to needy students. Last evening DR..
Forbes preached on 'Christian Education" !"
AT OTHER CHURCHES.
At all the other Methodist churches in
the city the day was celebrated in much the
same manner, the one great feature being
the handsome floral decorations of the
churches.
at the First Baptist church, the day
was celebrated as chldren's- day by the
Bible school, the morning services being
devoted to that object. and the floral dec
OrdtIOlS were very tasteful anu elaborate.
An afternoon children's service was held
at o'clock at the House of Hope Presby-
terian church. The house was decorated
in accordance with the spirit of the day,
and the service especially adapted to inter-
est the little folks.
At the Pacific Congregational church
childrens day was celebrated at the even
ing service by a Sunday school concert.
Rev. E. c. Evans administered the sacra-
ment to children.
Plymouth church was very beautifully
decorated. On the sides of the pulpit were
two large palms. and around the platform
banks of carnations. pansies and other
flowers. In the center was arranged a
group of water lilies, and above them q
water spray, giving very fine effect. The
services were altogether appropriate. OF
the music the two duets by Mrs. Fuller and
Mr.. Burger. and by Mrs. James and Mr..
Hay were prominent features. Addresses
were made to the children by Miss Blodgett
and Supt. Hart, of the Sunday school. A
very beautiful part of the services was an
offering of flowers by seven little girls, each
reciting sentiment as she deposited he1