The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-18
TEE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

Festivals at st. Johns, Christ, st.
Pauls and the Lutheran Churches.
The Easter festival OF st. Johns Sunday
school has been for years noted for its pretty
services. Last night was no exception to
the rule. Although one or two features OF
the past were lacking, the programme was
an excellent one, we'll arranged, admirably
executed and pleasing throughout to the
children and their friends.
The ohurch's capacity was fully taxed,
and 1t was with some difficulty that the
classes, carrying their banners aloft and
singing clearly and sweetly the provisional
hymn, made their way down the side aises
in two columns, uniting In the central aisle
aud continuing to the pews reserved for the
school.
AS soon as all were seated the ,rector re-
cited the Lords prayer and collects. This
was followed by the carol, "Our Risen
Lord" Rev. Stuart-Martin read the
scripture lesson and the infant class sang
The Easter Hills"
Another carol by the entire school,
"Wakenl Waken" preceded the presenta-
ton of the banners aud the class offerings.
AS esol class was called sits. standard
bearer and the child with the
offering marched to the chancel
and handed them to the
rector and superintendent. Clarence Con-
H6Idl. n6 u1lAi6Tb were kEOupeu OUTSIDE
the chancel, and, together with the floral
decorations of the morning service, made O
handsome appearance
After the last GLASS had presented its
Offering, "Easter on Mount Olive" one of
the prettiest Of the carols, was sung. Rev.
Stuart Martin then addressed the children,
and their parents and grandparents. who
are but children Of larger growth, on the
Sunday school and its work. It is the
nursery of the church, said he, just as the
church on earth Is the nursery OF heaven
In il the children must be taught the great
truths of the BtOle, to act as a guide for
them In after life. His talk was instructive
aud entertaining.
Rev. G. II. Strong told of the sweet ties
that bound men to the children, character
izing the men and women as Mr.. Stuart NJ ar
tin had done In the thirteen years OF his
connection with st. J ohn's he had bautiZed
number of children whom it had been mis-
pleasant duty Liter on TO marry. This had
clasped still closer the ties that bound him TO
them. During that time he had also had
many sad duties to perform. Only the past
year he had seen four Of the children
of the school pass away to para
disc. In this connection he pointed
out to the children the joyful lesson taught
! by Easter; that the stones in Laurel Grove
and Bonaventure tell what Is not true when
they say that father or mother or other
loved one lies there. Easter, the rector said,
tells US that this is not so, that the dear
ones who are gone from our presence do no.
lie there; that they don't 60 near the grave;
that what is there is but the husk, the COW
ering. Just as when he leaves the pulpit he
| drops off his surplice aud goes to his home,
/ to its joys ana its comforts, 80 the Easter
! lesson is that they whom we call dead have
but dropped an earthly covering to enter a
| brighter, sweeter, happier place. Chris
tiauity must rob death of the terror with
which it mas become invested and must
| tear off the false and hideous
mask it has been made to wear
and show it as it really is. The early Chris
tiaus knew what death is, and when re-
ligion becomes the real, joyful thing that
| Christ intended 1t TO be, we shall stop en-
| craving such things on our tombstone3. II
| The children could but get th!s one idea