Smyrna times., 1893-06-07

Sunday was Children's Day at the
Methodist Church. 1t was also the
first day of summer, and the latter
didn't forget to assert its prerogatives
in the way of heightened temperature,
requiring for the first time the win.
dOws thrown on their horizontal bars,
with full welcome to all the refresh
ing outside air that wanted to get in
and become the plaything of the ladies'
fans.
COLUMBIA's DEFENDERS.
Such was the tile of the exerc ses, in
cOmmemOration of what had been done
since the visit of the great Christopher
here 400 years ago. and what was ne.
cessary for the growth and perpetuity
OF our beneticent institutions, civil and
religious.
The house had been put in elegant
trim for the occasion only the insignia
OF Chlldren's Day-rOses-were hardly
in it"; a basket would have held
them all, as against a wagon load that
would have bedecked the altar place
and every available point to place a
flower, twenty or more years ago.
Even the larger part of the places
where the Rose usually sits as the
Queen of the hOwery realm, was mo.
nopolized by peOnies. The Offertorv
stands and two or three other places
on the platform and the window iedges
were occupied by vases of flowers. but
the very character of the exercises
"COlumbia's Defenses," - seemed to
suggest to the church dTessers some.
thing OF a higher symbolism than fOw-
ers-the evidences of our nationality
and liberty. Hence, fags--the stars
and tripes-preVailed. The church
had very much of a memorial look.
Flags OF two or more feet graced every
lamp bracket in the auditorium. those
OF the organ loft being dressed by two,
crossed IN graceful folds. platform
had been extended over the chaneel,
neatly carpeted, the face and side
dressed with the stars and stripes ro.
setted, and lOoped to the floor. A
large cross eight or nine feet high
graced the centre of the platform.
against which leaned flag staff project
ing above it, the pulpit being removed.
and even the pastor was back num-
ber" for the hour.
From 10 to 10 80 o'clock was a busy
time with the ushers in seating the an.
dience. Half or more of the audito.
rum had been reserved for the school
requiring the larger part of the regu.
lar audience and the visitors to take to
the galleries, seemingly completely
filling them. The school In the mean.
time had assembled in their room
below. Shortly after the ringing of
the second bell, led by the Infant
School, they began the ascent to the
upper room. Their movement as thew
came class by class in perfect order
was watched by the large audience
with evident interest.
When they were seated the Organist
Z. Virgil Gordon, began voluntary in
low. sweet notes, rising to the grander
swells, followed by the opening piece
"Children's Day Carol" led by the
chorister, Walter o. HOffecker. which
was sung, as characterized the singing
throughout, Ia seeming perfect time
The school had been so seated. whether
Oy design or accident, as to present the
appearance when they arose to sing. of
an immense embossed cross, with the
foot extending nearly to the rear of
the church.
This being concluded, the SuDerin.
tendent, John H. Hoffecker. stepDed
forward on the platform and in a few
introductory words as to the purpose
and object Of the DAY we Celebrate"
led of with the program, commencing
with responsive readings. Following
the Columbian Hymn" commenced
the real feature of the exercises,
COLUMBIA's DEFENsEs.
This was opened by patriotic ad.
dress, our patriotic Program" nv
Miss Nellie FAIRIES, well delivered
Miss Beulah Jefferson, personating
Columbia, dressed in white. with brow
encircled in a wreath, grasped the Gag
staff which supported her while the
trl-cOlofed bunting folded gracefully
about her person, was addressed nv
the Guards, each wearing a lettered
shield, to whom, in turn, a suitable re-.
sponse was made and an approDriate
air sung by the school following each.
The young ladies' who took the place
OF guards were, Maggie Robinson.
Just Laws; May FAIRIES, Worthy
Rulers"i Edith Beck, Good Citizens:
Susie Wright, "Christian Schools:
Carrie Phillips, "a Sacred Sabbath.
Florence HAZEL, pure Religion u
The latter was prepared by Miss Katie
Beckett, but being unable to be present
Oy sickness, the place was kindly taken
as above noted, reading from the
printed page.
but 10 TINS there was second and
not the least interesting part, taken bv
the little ones of Mrs. Lydia Mellow.
ellis infant school, who had been well
trained by her assistants, though thev
had never Tehearsed with the school
proper. The latter took their places
10 front of Columbia, who stood
throughout supported on either side bv
her attendants, named above. They
sang several tunes very prettily, in
excellent time, in the song I'VE are a
Band of Patriots" each waving a little
nag. Their earnest and innocent exu-
berance was pleasing feature to the
audience. Little addresses were made
to Columbia in voices mostly clear
enough to be heard, by the following
scholars Lizzie Revis, Mary HAZEL.
Emma Stevenson, Avis Griffin, Edith
Start, Harvey Cole, Clifford HOffecker.
Maynard Griffith, Gardner Beckett
Scott Wilds, Ofley Winford, Mills
Voshel.
While the last hymn was being sung
the young ladies wearing shields sus.
pended them on the cross, forming a
very pretty scene. The exercises
closed with the school and congrega.
ton sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
and as a finale, the doxology and ben
edictiOn by the pastor, Rev. A. Stengle.
The ChildreD's Day program has
rarely proved more pleasing than that
of Sunday, which is'the more compli.
me4tary to the school frdrn the fact
that the school proper had but one re-
hearsal 1.-THE infant school not appear
ing with them them, due DOUBTLESS to
the usual good discipline in the Sun.
day School and week day educational
channels. The collection was $29l5.
The Strawberry Crop.
Tho hot n 6 .