The Bottineau pioneer. (Bottineau, N.D.) 1885-1895, 1888-08-09

fully observed ~ tie Latin church until the
ninth century. The day was governed BY
Easter, which il q movable festival, and
hence Children's Day would be earlier some
years than in other years. Penticost vas on
the seventh Sunday after Easter Trinity
was the eighth and CLildren's Sunday wss
the ninth Sunday after Easter, by which it
" always governed. After he division Of
sths Christian church. in the ninth century
into two grand d~ivisions--the' Latin church
and the Greek church, Children's Sunday
continued 70 be observed BY both churchel
in the joyful monthsof June. It's very De
fitting thst this day should be observed III
the lovely month Of roses.
/ II. The Object Of the Day. The signif.
cance Of this day il apparent to any patient
observer Of the teaching Of cur Lord. he
recognized His church while on earth d
our redeemer, founding il in infancy, build
ing it IN childhood, completing it in youth,
and garnishing it with all goodness in man.
hood, and pure, lovely womanhood. Jesus
held a significant Childrcn3s Day with his
disciples, and on that day assured them, as
he did others, that children are the royal
subjects Of his Kingdom, and thatmen mus,
be born again and become. as little children,
loving, trne honest, just,ppre and forgiving,
laying aside oil malice, and full Of kind
ness. 1t is very appropriate then that the
church should initiate the holy example Of
her blessed Master, and at least annually
bring this grand session of humility before
the eyes and minds Of thoughtless men who
need the lessons Of precept and example.
Ill. Utility Of Children's Day-The good
results and final success of an Institution, is
a criterion by which to judge IF its worth.
If we measure Children's Day by this rule
we shall find it instituting and sustaining
an order Of utility in the church, worthy Of
him, who is its author, and worthy Of eternal
honor. After what is known as the 'Refor-
nation" by Martin Lnther, this day was
everywhere neglected ~ those who'called
themselves Protestants. Men ore liable to
run to extremes and protest against some
things right as well some things wrong; yet,
like the pendulum of the clock, they swing
back again and hold fast which has proved
70 be good. So it has been with regard to
Children's Day. About $50 years ago the
Moravians revived Ghildren's Day among
them, but held its SERVES in August. Then
after the lapse of more than o century the
Universalist denomination adopted Chill
drcn's Day; then about thirty years ago the
Gong, egational church revived Chitdren's
Day and have cheerfully turned it to good
account. All Baptist churches now observe
Children's Day with appropriate services
The various Presbyterian churches were the
last to adopt this day OF childhood, full Of
good cheer and promise for the growing
generations. The Methodist church, seeing
the Importance and utility of this day
ordered at their conference, about twenty
years ago. that as a church, they were con.
WINGED Of the antiquity, wisdom and utility
Of the day, and accepted it as an ~instruc-
tive institution Of the church of Christ, for
training the children in the way of the
Lord. II is the custom for the children to
contribute money ON these days to sustain
a fund for the education Of young men and
women, for ministers and missionaries. BY
these contributions The Methodist church re.
ceived last year 100000. Time would fail
us to write all we wish to about the festive,
time-honored day. Therefore we must be
brief at the risk or blame. Suffice it for M
to say that the readings, songs, recitations
and dialogues, music and tableaux were al
beautiful, well-timed and appropriate to the
day. It was worth q days drive to see and
hear these services, and those who wer,
absent from this anniversary missed o treal
of the season if not Of a lifetime. It is GU
opinion that no community on Mouse river
is..in better repute, unity and Fellowship, ant
that there is no settlement on the river try.
ing to do more for the social, intellectua
and moral improvemsntsaftn ~ rising genera
ton than the people at Pendroy, that Til
children may grow in the knowledge of tn
truth and be more useful and faithful il
their duty to the church than their fathers
Rev. F. E.. 2oYsE.
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