The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-06-25

All About John WANNA k err,
Church and sunday echOOl.

To the Editor of the FLoRIDIAN
The Sunday morning papers said that Post
master General Wanamaker had loaned his
yacht to the President for jaunt on the POto-
mac, but that he declined to accompany him, on
the plea that a higher master required his ser
vices in Sunday School that he has organized
and conducted for many years in The CITY of
Phlladelphla-some say, as al advertisement 10
his extensive merchandising establishment there
while others give him credit for purer and higher
mOtiveS-At any rate there can be no harm done
where there Is so much unseltish liber Atty of
time and money. The statement Of the morning
paper directed me TO attend the services of
"B=thany" Church at 3 o cock-cOrner of Balm
bridge and Twenly-second Streets-a ride of
three miles from my quarters. My companion
said This was once a most disreputable and
degraded part of the city, but Mr.. Wanamaker
bought up the property extensively All around
and built his church in the midst OF it, and lit
orally turned the thieves out Of the temple, and
though not now fashionable, the neighbOrhOOd
is respectable. 1t is Mr. Wanamaker's church
he paid for it, and he runs it-he has preacher
and an orchestra OF flutes and horns and his
money pays for it all. 1t has no denominational
distinction, other than Mr.. WanamAker's
church"
Punctuality alone will admit one, for promptly
at O'Clock the doors close for the opening ex.
ercises OF the Sunday School The crowd Occu.
pied the pavement and piled the steps, but with
the confidence OF ignorance Qor there is such
a thing l pushed my way through and up to
the vcsubue to find locked doors, of which the
glass light permitted me view of Mr.. Wanna.
maker and his 1000 scholars There was sing
ing and prayer and more singing and PRAYER
The flutes whstled and the horns blew and
huge man led the singing, but Mr. Wanamaker
clapped his hands and bowed his head as signal
for the scholars to begin he lifting his voice
with them, or bowling his head as if in intent
listening. first to those on the floor of the
church, then to the infant school on one side
and another class in the galleries, each aroused
to action by the capping or uplifted hand of
Mr.. Wanamaker, until they oil Joined in an uni
versal hallelujah. Then there was long PRAYER
by the master, and they all bowed their heads as
usual, but saw some of the little faces turned
to each other for conversation, doubtless of
their pretty spring bennets and ribbons,
Tor, judging by such adOrnments and other Dress
these were not Of the poor, but possibly the
children of the labOring class The prayer fin
shed-which Mr. Wanaraker made without
book, but with bowed head and closed eyes
there was a general song of glee when the
doors were opened to admit tardy scholars and
permit egress TO the visitors who had been on
time at the first opening OF the doors Now the
scholars went into classes and Mr.. Wanamqker
disappeared through rear door into more
spacious buildlng-he church proper-whch
was finished inside with elaborate pulpits organ,
galleries and ratings Following the crowd
we crossed a court and entered the sanctuary
to find Mr.. Wanamaker already at the desk and
the orchestra behind him. AS we entered the
vestbue of the church each person was handed
a card, inviting them TO join the adult class at
bethany, and besides yellow envelope TO re-
celve the offering of the visitor and the cOec.
ton OF this, during the sing ing, was the first
exercise of the adult class which seemed to
number about 600-men and women Then
Mr. Wansmaker gave familiar talk, recital,