Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-28
SANTA VISITS THEN.
GENEROUS 81. NICK CALLS NJ
MANY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
Christmas celebrations Held In
Number Of Churchcs-Good Thing"
Distributed and Interesting INcr-
ciSps Held.


Joyous. and Santa Claus was made wei
come and given a hearty reception IN al
the churches. at which be called TO dis
tribute good things.
The entertainment 40 the Second bap-
list church took place last nisht' ana
the church was crowded beyond the seat
ing capacity of the building when the
exercises began After the singing Of a
hymn. which opened the exercises, Rev.
Or. W. W. LandrIm offered a beautiful
PRAYER. Mr.. William Ellyson then deliver
"a short address OF welcome. in which
pee alluded TO the growth Of the Sunday
school I'm tie past year
Santa Claus 4 CO.." bright h'tle
Christmas cantata. fun OF pretty music,
wss presented In an admirable manner.
Dr. Ralph elem MISS impersonation OF
the genial saint was perfect while MI
Stewart Hopkins used his fine tenor voice
10 good effect in the role Of Jack Tosi'
and INTERPRETED his lines in most
croditable manner. The fairies. Of course
were an bewitching. while Misses Lot
tie Redford. Sallie Beach. Ellie frayser,
and Mary shelton were all splendid In
their respective roles.
At the conclusion Of the cantlt9 the
children Of the Sunday school were ea'h
presented with a nice box OF candy ana
some Of the pupils received gifts as
reward for prompt attendance.
OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS.
The exercises at Grace Street Presby-
terrain church We're held In the lecture
room i'm the afternoon, In the presence
of a merry and eXpectant multitude ot
children. and the entertainment both
from an artistic and joyous point OF view.
eClipscd all previous efforts
In fun view of the large congregation,
which entirely filled the room. was an
exact reproduction Of large and
br.ghtly-colored chimney and fireplace
opening. the mantel covered with holly
and cedar, and adorned by old-time
candlesticks. the candles burning
brightly. and casting their cheering glow
upon erandfathers clock. which hung
over them ON each side Of the chimney
stood an immense Christmas-tree, ana
tables stacked high with goodies wait
ing 20 become the property Of and 10
make merry. numbers OF little ones me
whole formed q most realistic might
before Christmas" hreside scene, not even
the traditional stocking being lacking. for
were suspended from the mantel.
Superintendent b. G. Wherry opened
the exercises with a few words OF en-
c0uragement, following which the chill
dren rendered IN most laudablc style an
attractive programme OF recitation and
song Those participating in the rec.ta-
tions were Misses Evelyn Scott. E,hel
Blair. Katie GOddIn. Lizzie Moore, Edith
Merrill. and Alice Anderson.
At the conclusion of the musical pro-
eramme the teachers distributed TO tie
pupils their share % the sweets. and a
happier lot Of children is seldom seen.
a DECIDED SUCCESS
At Clay-Street Methodist church the
entertainment was decided success. and
the Sunday-school room was filled by a
great crowd OF both children and grown
persons
sir. f.. NJ Bedford was master Of cere-
monies and conducted the exercises.
which We're appropriate and beautiful, in
a most creditable manner. Among the
members OF the school who participated
were Misses Garnett Seal, Pearl Clayton,
Tompkins. Alice Ford, Ethel Gilmore.
Resale Petts. Rosa Bell. George Brad
ley. May Pettis. and Edna Dursford. and
Master Clarence PalmOre.
The Offering by the school for the poor
was most liberal including. besides
money. many handsome toys and lots
of good things \ handsome present was
made to Miss Ethel Gilmore by her teach
or. Mrs. George Tillar. for being present
every Sunday. and handsome testi-
monials were given by their classes %
Mr. ]. Edgar Quarles and Mrs. Phillips.
These were all presented by the pastor.
Rev II VI. Hope, In appropriate
speeches.
At BROAD STREET
The Christmas entertainment was
finished success. The programme was
faithfully carried out in the presence OF
eathering that packed the audience
room. An attractive programme OF SONG
and Rotations was rendered by the little
ones. but the novel feature Of the festi-
val was the entry Of Santa Claus into the
Christmas paradise OF the children. Three
reindeer with lofty anters and jinelins
bells. drew the car OF the ancient visitor
OF So many houses and Sunday-schO0l
gatherings all over the land. and bis
lifte were so numerous ana so literally
supplied that everybody had a chance 10
say Thanks" 10 the gray-headed patron
Of the little on
Tle infant class furnished conspicu-
GUS feature OF the entertainment. and
their attractive little songs wefa charm
inely rendered Mrs Brirglc, 1 sunday
school 0reanist. received hands mc prf Sc
cnts from the school The oCca .on is
regarded as the happ.est in the history
Of The school
At GRONE-ANENUE
The Christmas celebration al Grove
Avenue Baptist church was held at y
o'clock. A large and appreciatye au-
d.ence was present and The different
numbers on the programme. which was
arranged by Mrs. W. =. Pitcher ana h'i
assistants Misses Sallir Wray and Ara
bella Pitcher and Mr.. Willard T.. Cox.
were finely executed 10y the children AZ
ter thr exercises Of the hour the children
We're Toasted upon the many good thing
brought them hy Santa Claus. wiz
came into the school-r0om on bis heavily
laden sleigh, and gave each child
present All went away happy and voted
Gr0Ne-Avcuue To- he the best SUNDAY
school of them an.
OLD-MABKET SCHOOL
The entertainment an Old-Market sun
day school was held last evening. ana the
distinctive feature of The programme Wa.
the visitation Of Santa Claus. who pre-
scented each OF the childicn with presc nts
/ The exercise began with appropriate
/ singing boy the primary class, which Wa
followed boy a. short address by the pas
/ tor, Rev james p. Cook. After tie pre-
sentatiGn OF prizes Mr.. John S. Muncr
/ the superintendent OF the school. 300
". Lee. the assistant superintendent oi
/ behalf of the school with handsome
teachers Bible ass token Of their ap
probation of ai- faithful services in th'
school Santa Claus impersonated b'
/ Mr. Burnett Lewis. then appeared. anl
/ delightcd tine scholars with his amusln.
/ talk and Gift Of the bricks" from The
] chimney The hall was well fllel Will
friends of the children. and pe/ect orde
prevailed. and am agreed thai the occa
! sion was a very happy one.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN
The Christmas celebration OF the sun
/ day school Of the Second Presbyterian
church was held in the lecture-rOOm "A
I 4 clock "a was largely attended by th
/ uarents and friends OF the children wh
. took part There were many recitation
/ by the primary class. AN OF whom ac
4 Quilted thems ives We'll and bright anl