The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-25
SANTA CLAUS ON HIS ROUNDS.
How the Evening Was Enjoyed by the Gath
erings of Young People

HOW the Evening Was Enjoyed by the Gath
erings of Young People
There were several very enjoyable Sunday
school and church entertainments, some of which
were novel in character and were quite as inter
estng to the older persons as the distribution of
presents by generous old Santa Claus was de-
lightful to the little The grizzled old mans
appearance simultaneously at several churches
was calculated to arouse some skepticism even
in young minds, but this is problem that will
be givenmore thought after the interest in the
many and various delights of bis holiday has
been exhausted. The entertainments were all
we'll arranged and pleasingly carried out 1t
was noticeable that the old custom of having
tree upon which to hang the presents is going
out of fashion, many of the Sunday schools
showed a preference for tasteful arrangement
of the gifts before the audience.
Mayfower Congregational Church was
thronged with young and old, and many of those
who came were unable to secure seats. Tho au-
dience-room was beautifully decorated with ever
green's and handsome designs of 'Happy Christ
mas, in evergreen letters, crossed the front wall
of the room. The pulpit supported large tree,
which was loaded with presents for the members
of the Sunday school. On either side of the tree
there was a representation of q snow house con-
structed of cotton and in its appearance it was
quite natural A telephone was placed liz the
room, and the audience was kept in constant
communication with Santa Claus. While he was
being waited for, Miss Blanche Gage, Willie
Moore and Joseph E. Hyde rected very accepta-
bly,, and several of the Sunday school classes
furnished music both vocal and instrumental.
Santa Claus finally came in cart drawn by two
goats, and after driving around the room, he pro-
| ceeded to distribute the myriads of presents in
the tree. Every member of the Sunday
received present, and some of the older per-
sons. Altogether the entertainment was well
conceived and very interesting.
AT the Central Christian Church there was an
other very large audience. The Sunday-school
children were given the front seats, and occupied
nearly half the audience-room. large stage
was erected, which was piled high with presents
of all kinds and on which bevy Of little girls
received Santa Claus when he came. Preceding
his coming there were songs and recitations by
many of the Sunday school pupils, which were
very entertaining to the audience. When Santa
Claus came twelve little girls dressed in red,
acted as fairies for him, and distributed the
presents among the audience The exercises
were in the audience-room of the church. which
was beautifully decorated for the occasion with
pot flowers, evergreens and the national colors.
tertalnment
The presentation of the cantata, "a Waits
Christmas" at Roberts Park Church, was the
feature of the entertainment there. The house
was packed, and, as Az other churches, many
were unable to secure seats. The little girls
who presented the cantata did their parts well,
and the appearance of the ragged waits on the
stage, who looked so wistfully at the rich pres
ents, was scene that was quite touching The
music of the cantata was also well rendered,
and, all In all, il was remarkably we'll done.
All the members of the Sunday school were re-
memoered with presents, and not a few OF the
grown persons received substantial gifts.
A very pleasant and successful entertainment
was given last night to crowded audience at
Central-avenue NJ. E. Church. At the door as
admission fees, were taken in considerable
sum Of money, and a large amount of provisions
and vegetables. intended for Christmas dinners
among the poor. The smaller children OF the
school, assisted by few of the older ones pre-
sented the cantata, "The Mistake of Santa
Claus; or A Bundle of Sticks Professor Rudy
was the director, and the principal parts were
Emma Todd ard Edith Smith. and
Masters Will Wocher and Don Robin
son. The cantata was both we'll sung
aud acted, the various portions of it being re-
ceived with much applause, and number of
encores Following this came the presentation
Of presents. Professor Rudy received hand
some baton from the members of the chorus
choir and orchestra, of which he has been di-
rector for nearly year. There were some 9TH