The morning call., 1890-12-19
FIVE BANDS OF MERCY
Noble Work of jefferson Pri-
mary School Children.
Bright.Eyed Little Ones Who GLADDEN. the
Hearts Of Poor CompaDions-Gentle-
ness ard Kindness Taught.

Among the happiest pupils at the Jeffer-
son Primary School are the two hundred
and fifty members of the five Bands of
mercy at that institution Of learning.
Happy little folkl Although their ages
only range from TO IA years their minds
nave already become imbued with the prin-
c1pies OF charity. Their presence is also an
honor to the San Francisco School Depart
ment. for they were the first 10 emulate the
example OF society of boys and girls in
England which has mem bership OF nearly
$4,000.
Notwithstanding the fact that the chill
oren are very happy and proud of the noble
WORK they have accomplished during the
past SIX months in certain crowded districts
OF the poor south of Market street, they
nave failed to make public their acts of
Kindness and charity. A CALL reporter
heard of the Bands of Mercy yesterday, and
to Miss NJ. NJ. Murphy. principal of the
jefferson School, applied for some informa-
lioh III reference to the organization.
ITS ORIGIN.
g., The first movement in this noble char
Ity, SAID Miss Murphy, started among
some half dozen Of the brightest pupils in
Miss Ryder's class, the fourth grade, some
SIX months ago. Since that time from one
little band there sprung five bands, with a
mem bership of about go. The first band
mad only fifteen members, and little Oracle
COLLISION was its first President. When the
nople work came under my observation,
nVe months ago, encouraged and fostered
IL until four other bands OF societies were
started In the various classes The spirit of
GenilenesS ami kindness to others has spread
throughout this school until / am more than
proud of the noble efforts Of my pupils.
The good influence has spread among the
teachers and even parents of the scholars.
When first discovered the existence of the
band the members had only 81 in the treas
ury, and they proposed to get up picnic
with it. To them l said: No; let us get
up an entertainment for the benefit of the
hundreds Of poor children in this school,
Let us provide Christmas present for every
one OF them.' In the assembly hall, upstairs,
the nrst entertainment of this kind is now
being. held. Come with me and see the
workings OF these five Bands OF Mercy for
yourself"
A CHRISTMAS TREE.
The reporter followed the affabie lady,
whom children love and respect and en-
tered the hall where the entertainment was
being held. In the center OF the hall was a
large Christmas tree and from it was sus-
pended presents for 1873 children. And how
each OF the innocent little tots laughed and
ciapped their hands " hen their names were
called out and pretty doll, package of
candy or some other appropriate little pres
sent was handed them! just 21O pupils
were seated in the hall and during the en-
tertainment the remainder of TIE 6iO chill
dien belonging 10 the school were marched
through. The ages of the children who re-
celved presents ranged from to years
This Is the programme, that the happy
pupils rendered with WILL
Song, lullaby. by the school; recitation, "Our
Flag" A. sum'serield; song, kindergarten"
y NJ; Rsciet; recitation. The Flag" A. ii.
hamiii song; Our Flag" J. B; Gormau recila-
song. "Merry CIrlsimas,S Miss K. K. RoWe'ss
class song, Three Little Kittens" twenty
pupils; song when the Little Children Sleep"
HAPPY LITTLE ONES.
The principal maze neat little address,
in which she called attention to the nice
things done by the bands, and calling up the
officers thanked them personally for their
earnest efforts in behalf of the poor. Then
every pupil clapped their hands and
danced with glee. The little ones who had
received presents we're more than delighted
rs the gifts were from their everyday COM
panions.
:, After the entertainment the reporter had
The hve Presidents of the bands called be-
fore him, and each of the bright-eyed little
girls spoke frankly and with earnestness in
reference to their good work. 1--WE like to
make POOR little children happy" they said,
"and it makes US happier ourselves in doing
bands: No. l, Sarah Ruddee, aged IA years;
No. 2, Alice Agnew, IA; No. 3, Lena Nc
Dermott, 10; No. 4, Josie Monaghan, ID;
No. ., Annie Lang II.
When the members signed the rolls they
made such promises as these:
We promise not to swear or use bad
language"
I'VE promise not to maltreat dumb ami
mails, and 10 prevent others from doing so
when We can"
We pledge ourselves not TO fight or quar-
rel and to promote gentleness and kindness
III every possible way"
REFINING INFLUENCE
Meetings of the bands are held weekly
and at these the members tell of any kind
acts they may have performed during the
week. any have violated their pledges
they confess and promise TO do better in The
future. Their associates promptly forgive
all transgressors. The teachers in the
school say 1t is wonderful to observe the re-
fning influence Of these bands. The
toughest boys, who were once fond of
stonlng cats and Chinese and were wont to
lombard back yards, are now among the
gentlest and smartest pupils in the school.
Parents OF the happy pupils say it would
be well if other schools would follow the
noble example set BY Jefferson Primary.