The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-04-29
Easter Sunday.

In this genial cline of ours, where
we enjoy more delightful days than are al
lotted to our fellow -mortals In other locall-
ties. it is seldom that Tallahasseeans see
more beautiful day than was last Sabbath-Easter
Sunday, and the day-the anniversary OF the re-
surrection of the Saviour of manknd-was cele-
brated in the various churches with accustomed
solemn rites and ceremonies, with the excep-
ton of the NJ E. Church, South, where the eleven
o'clock sermon was dispensed with, the morn
ing devoted to the Sabbath-schOOl, which inclu-
ded the usual Sunday lesson and celebration
of the fortleth anniversary of the school under
the supervision of one Superintendent, Mr..
Thomas j. Perkins, and these services were
quite appropriate and conducted with due and
becoming soemnty and reverence.
The programme included singing and prayer,
and an address by Major A. j. Russell, which
was very instructive to the little ones and inter-
esting to the adult portion of the large and at
tentive congregation.
Mr.. Thomas j. Perkins made a brief address,
appropriate to the occasion. Referring to the
past he said that the membership of the church,
when he took charge of the Sunday-schoOl, as
Superintendent, forty years ago, numbered about
14O. OF this number only eleven remained,
namely: Mrs. Amelia A. Myers, who Joined the
church in 1887 Mr.. Thomas j. Perkins, Mrs.
Thomas J. Perkins, Mr.. J. l.. Demilly, Mrs. j. L..
Demilly, Mr. J. A. Elmondson, Mrs. Susan Foot
man and Mr. George II. Meginniss, Joined in
1912 Captain G. E. Dyke and Judge ID. W..
Gwynn in 1945, and Mrs. Sarah Damon, in 1846,
all of whom were present on this interesting oc-
casion Rev. E. l.. T. Blake, now stationed at
Tampa, was pastor of the church in 1916.
The floral decorations were elaborate and ar
ranged with exquisite taste and beauty.
Among the surviving members who united
with the church more than thirty-five years ago,
he mentioned Mrs. Ellen Williams Mr. John p.
Coles, Mrs. Sarah j. Barefoot, the first two join
ing in 1850 and the latter in 1851. They are
still residents of Tallahassee, and two of the
three were also present.
When the congregation rose to sing the clos
ing hymn, the familiar voice of Mr.. B. A. Me
ginniss was heard, and all eyes turned toward
the choir. He said:
Mr. SUPERINTENDENT: While the services of
the morning have been sufficiently long, am
sure the audience will bear with me for "a few
minutes while | discharge pleasant duty inn
posed on me by the school over which you have
so long and successfully presided us its Superin-
tendent.
Approaching the altar, bearing in his hand a
large and elegant silver water pitcher, with COB
let, both handsomely engraved which he pre-
sented to Mr.. Perkins, he continued:
In behalf of the officers of the school, and OF
the scholars who are now privileged members
of the little band still under your kind supervi-
sion, and in token of their love and esteem,
present you this little offering, in the hope that
it may in part convey to you their appreciation ;
that each drop OF water quatfed from this COB
let may contain happy memories of them, and
be also mlnder to you OF the waters, sparkling
and bright that flow from the " Fountain Free, !"
from which they hope to join you in the Sweet
Bye and Bye" drinking the walters of Eternal
Life
This feature of the programme was a complete
surprise to the worthy Superintendent of nearly
half a century, and he became almost too full
for utterance. In fact his response consisted
more of the feeling that wells up from CRATE
full heart and in II manner subdues the voice
than of words He was grateful he felt it-he
manifested it-apd the emotion that checked
words was more eloquent than if these had
flowed as readily IA their wont in his loving
teachings to the children of his charge.