Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-04
s[Reported for the SPEcTAToR.l
Baptist Snnday-SchOOI Festival.

HENRY sUMMERsoN, ESQ.,, SUPERINTENDENT
Perhaps the most spendidly decorated
church ever seen in staunton, was the Baptist
on Thursday evening. Dec. 29th, in honor OF
lis Christmas Festival for the Sunday school.
The Committee appointed by the School for
that purpose consisting of Messrs. John Kice,
Chairman. VIM. Matthews. Luther Lush
baugh and Cash Hatton, performed their task
not only WELL but first-rate. In addition to
the arching. draping and festooning with
cedar in endless variety of form and design,
with its huge evergreen bell overhanging the
platform, there was on one side of the stand,
miniature Uncle Toms Cabin of rude con-
struction, with its humble door and solitary
window lit up from within, and on the other
side like sized plaster Of paris church, with
Its lofty steeple and fine architecture &C., pre-
senting to the eye and mind OF the beholder
not mean contrast, the one with the other.
The programme of exercises was exceeding
ly simple, and was carried out without single
failure or omission of any kind, and with
some excellencies which deserve at least a
passing notice of them. After an impressive
prayer by the Rev. DR.. Nelson, Joy to the
World" was sung by the school and choir. in a
strain. believe, from one of Handels orato-
rios. Then followed in quick succession,
tSent to Heaven" Recitation by Cora Shep
herd, is years of age.
welcome Song" by Lille Matthews, OF II
years, and "Visit with Mamma" by Mabel
Leftwitch, years of age. Hymn-"Coming to
the SAVIOR was now sung by school and
choir. Then Buds Christmas Stocking.''-
Recitation by Bessie Summerson. IL years old
Next. Duet-"To thy Temple We Repair" by
Mesdanles B. F. Eakle. organist. and ]. B..
ladies n fDra nd oio
whose only fault was their extreme modesty,
Poor Little Joe." Recitation by Eddie
Byers. was in order. Master Eddie is too well
known to the Staunton public to need any
praise at the hands of your reporter. Eddie
was in fine voice and trim for his part of the
programme. The touching and inspiring
hymn, Work while the day lasts" was then
sung, the congregation joining in the chorus.
Next came recitation by Sadie Todd, 8 years
old a caustic hit at our fast age and some of
its practices. Then hymn-"New Whittier
than Snow" in lively strain by school and
congregation. Bessie Turner, Is years old i'm.
personating the Matron of a household and in
style a-la-Caudle, recited very well indeed
How she sold Cow" Next Eddie Byers. in
only Wanderer," following which was
recitation, "Seven times one are seven,'
with marked composure and self-possession,
by Laura Shmmerson, IA years old, attired in
her starry costume.
The old familiar hymn, ITO the Work." was
then rendered by the company generally
which was followed by the "Kentucky Philos-
opher." Recitation by Eddie Byers. This
was by ialrequest, the piece not being on
the programme.
Perhaps the browning performance of the
evening was the Quarrel cf the Flowers" par
summerson, Bessie Turner. Willie Hart Har-
man, Bessie Leftwitch, Mary Dunn, Maud
Lipscomb. Carlotta Kable, Bessie Summerson
and Annie Todd. This piece concluded with
Ring out the Christmas Bells" with an actual
accompaniment by Eddie Byers
rhe effect was most enlivening.
In the distribution of special prizes your cor
respondent was unfortunate in catching on
to but few of them. Col. Johnson was pre-
sented with fine hat for being present at the
sunday School every Sunday but one in seven
years. Captain Thomas Leftwich, hailing |
formerly from one of the tidewater counties of
this State. was most fifty and naturally pre- |
of the inny tribe, SO delectable to the taste of
sented preserved pair of a well known species |
nearly the whole human family. Capt. John |
W. Todd, the former Superintendent of the |
School, in view of his recent retirement to his |
country villa, where wealth in barn, field, |
house and yard vie with each other in all that |
makes home pleasant and luxurious, was |
awarded as the only remaining want, piece |
IF statuary representing diminutive speci-
men of the canine race.
The distribution of the prizes to the school |
zen orally closed the exercises of an evening |
destined to live in the minds and hearts of the
title folks who took part in the fun and
pleasure of the joyous occasion until another
imilar celebration shall have come and pass
d. The worthy offering to the moor. COM
'rising some so or go packages, contributed by
were not ed,-these will be
distributed in due time by the proper commit
ee to the most deserving and destitute. And
low, Mr.. Editor, permit me to ask you and
Tour numerous readers, who can estimate the
,ood that Christn as always brings to this poor
world Of ours ?'' Surely it is the one blessed
i'm e-the time for giving and the time for
orgiying,