National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-14


Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches
the day was known as Whit Sunday, or
White Sunday. In the early church on
this day the catochumens, or candidates
for baptism, were clothed In white, and
baptized. The day was also observed as
the feast Of the Pcnteoost, or the fiftieth
day after Easter, when the Holy Ghost de-
scended upon the apostles. These churches
were not alone, however, In observing the
day. Throughout the land the Sunday
schools OF the Methodist Episcopal
churches and those OF the Presbyterian
and Congregational churches celebrated
the day under the title of "children's day.
The general conference of the NJ. Il.
Church In 1866 created "children's edu-
cational fund.- The money was 10 be
used in aiding meritorious Sunday school
scholars In obtaining more advanced
education. In June, 1872, the
plan was further developed by
the general conferences adoption OF the
second Sunday in June as "children's day."
and an occasion on which, when practica-
bic, to raise a collection in aid OF the Sum
day school fund OF the board Of education.
The fund now reaches hundreds OF thou
sands Of dollars. In the Congregational
churches the collections are for missionary
purposes. Aside from tho intentions Of the
day there is grandeur attached TO IL, in
that all the little ones are brought to-
gether with their parents and friends In
grand service Of song and praise The GUS
tom is one Of beauty and worthy OF preser-
walton. In all the Methodist churches in
the city flowers and birds added fragrance
and song to the services.
At the Metropolitan NJ. E. Church, long
before II o'clock, the galleries and audi
torium were filed with friends Of the little
folks. Upon raised tiers on the platform,
in an amphtheatrlcal form, were seated
over 100 little boys and girls neatly dressed,
many Of whom held little bouquets OF
flowers In their hands. At tho edge OF the
platform and on the sides were floral de-
vices potted plants, palms, 30 arranged as
to be attractive and pleasant to the eye
Slowed away in little peepholes, as 1t were,
amid the branches Of the palms, were many
canary birds, who, at all times warbled
forth pretty gems Of song The services,
which were rather long, were conducted by
Rev. DIR. Newman, assisted by Messrs. II.
o. Hall and Thomas G. Hensey, superln-
tendent and assistant superintendent Of the
school. At the beginning of the service the
pastor baptized four children.
The programme for the children's part In
the exercises after devotions had been said
was as follows:
Singing-"Welcome Greeting" Recita-
ton, Ed. Barnes; Children's Day Ethics;
Riddle-Primary Department; Recitation
"Iittle Boy at Church, Frank Lutz; Sing
ing-Epworth Hymnal, 226; Recitation
"The Heavenly Ladder" Herbert Ford ;
"Flowers-Their Mission," School; Solo
and Chorus-"The Rose Of Sharon,n Miss
Mollle Mckee; Recitatlon-"B Bringing Flow.
ers," Miss Maude Dnvall Solo and Chorus
"Land of Flowers Miss BERTHE Thomp-
son; Recitation, Miss Eva Henderson,
"Birds-Their Mission,n School; Recitation,
"Robert Of Lincoln" Miss Lolie Blanford
Motion Song-"Beautifu Little Hands,
Primary Department; "Message from the
Birds" Primary Department.; "Chrlstiau
SitizenshiIp,m-W. Phillips, Ed. , Fletcher
Mentioned in the Bible" School; Duet aud
Chorus-"Happy Hearts, Miss Bessie Bur
bridge and Miss Meta Vickery; Address
and Distribution OF Certificates. Beati
tudes-Graduate Of the Primary Depart
ment. Singing-Epworth Hymnal, 255
Collection; Changed Cross,
Miss Lolie Blanford; singing-''Praise tn
Al 4t.s.s, aH ss;.iS.nG meeting f e was held,
ip1efhe subject "AmericanC hildhood'' wa
discussed BY Rev. Dr.. Newman and Others
AT THE PRESIDENTS CHURCH.
Children's day at the First Presbyteria,
Sunday school was participated In by larg
congregation. The pulpit was beautiful
decorated with flowers. The Sunday-schoo
scholars marched into the church at l
o'clock singing, as professional
pied seats in the front part OF the church
Seated among the little ones were Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland, who apparently
enjoyed the singing of the children. Afte
invocation by the Rev. DIR. Sunderland, 80
Day Of Rest and Gladness" was sung by til
congregation and school. The 1881 Psalm
was read additionally by'pastor and school
the children, and this was followed b
hymn 1l45, "See Israel's Gentle Shepher
Stand.n During the oifertory solo wa
sung. DR.. Sunderland announced to tn
children that he would preach to them
children's sermon, and he took his tex
verse, as 1t well with the child.h Afte
the sermon hymn 1859, "Great Godl NOV
Condescend," was sung, followed by
carol by the school, "For the beauty of tn
earth" The benediction was then given
the pastor.
METROPOLITAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
At the Metropolitan Presbyterian Churct
Capitol Hill, Rev. DR.. Chester conducte
the service for the children Hymns WEI
sungby the little ones and an interestin
address was made by the pastor. In tn
afternoon Miss Grant conducted tn
monthly missionary service, and an inter
estiDg programme was carried out.
Waugh Chapel NJ. +. Church was file
both morning and evening with the Sunda
school scholars, their parents aud friends
Rev. DR.. Il. N. Baer preached In the morn
ing and baptized several children. A
ight interesting exercises were held by til
children of the Sunday school. The pre-
gramme consisted Of hymns, carols, reciti
tons, &c. The children aquitted then
selves In o creditable manner. Rev. ID
Baer made suitable address.
AT RYLAND CHAPEL.
At II o'clock began the anniversary cell
bration of "children's day" by the Rylan
Chapel Sunday school. The Rev. W. L
y Chapman, the active and Jealous pasto
was everywhere, attending to everything
preparatory to the exercises. Establishe
about eight years ago by the general col
ference OF the Methodist Episcopal Churct
"chilsren's dayhS has been since annual
Observed throughout the United States o
Athe Second Sunday in June. One of It's oil
~ jects ia.1Q obtain contributions for a funt
already quite large, the interest OF while
educates the tNprer children of the demon
nation for future usefulness as minister
missionaries, an6 Otherwise, Ryland Chapt
yesterday was beautifully decorated. Flu
thest back on the pulpit platform stood
cedar tree, intendedtQ be adorned with u
'fruits Of the spiriNv Several sunda
school banners were thdreabout displayed
with golden inscriptions. Then Rowei
abounded and vines, forming sacred d
vices, or wreathed along pulpit and alta
A canary in cage hung amid the bloom
Each aisle was spanned by an arch of int
mingled evergreens and 1owWs, and fro
the center Of each arch dependvda cas-
with bird. Punctually at the appolntC
hour the children and teachers from ii
school room on the lower floor assembled |
dense crowd the winding stairway an
poured into the chapel, the greater part
which they Immediately occupied, the nun
Der Of scholars being about 500. The cir
were generally dressed in white and unive
sally In smiles The boys, too, were neat
attired, all looking happy, and the teachers
both male and female, certainl
exhibited as much pride as Is conssten
with Christianity. There was prayer an
ahymn, Inspired by the singing. the thre