Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-18
A CHURCH MAsQUERADEPARTY.
One of the strictest pastors in Bridge

A CHURCH MASQ PARTY.
One of the strictest pastors in Bridge
port, Conn, is Rev. H. W. Wilson, of
the Stratfeld Baptist Church. He
neither plays cards nor dances, and he
thinks persons who do either ought to
p 'ay that they may be made purer and
diverted from their wickedness. Yet
the story is in circulation that he got
up masquerade ball for the benefit of
his church, at which leading pew
owners and trustees appeared as ballet
girls and red Indians, and at which
Mr.. Wilson himself masqueraded as
giant.
The story is causing good deal of
discussion in the church, and residents
who only hear. imperfect versions of
what happened have the impression
that the Stralfeld Church Baptists have
been captured and taken into camp by
the devil. This does not seem to be so,
and it is only just that the truth should
be told.
Certain young members of the church,
who have been to New York and seen
things, thought they would like to get
up masquerade. They were bold
enough to want to have it under the
auspices of their church. A body Of
youths, who nave since been referred
to as the "jollying committee" waited
upon Mr.. Wilson and unfolded their
plan. He was very much shocked.
"But, "said they, "the affair will be
perfectly decorous, and even edifying,
for we lot end to represent, for the most
part, the godly men in the Bible. 1t
will bling religion right home by show.
ing the members how people looked
and dress in those days"
This had some weight. "What 40
you call this entertainment? asked
the pastor, little sUspciously.
cts called Il Character party, said
the young men "You must have heard
of them. They have them in most OF
the churches. They are particularly
useful in iustructing the young"
And the end of it was that the 'jol-
lyineI committee" won the day. The
pastor gave his consent, and told the
young people to 90 ahead and organize
their "chnrace er play" on the Biblical
lines described in their prospectus.
He even consented to appear himself
in costume. Mr.. Wilson weighs ITO
pounds, and is not tall, and so he deci
ded to impersonate Goliath. He got
costume and some grease paiut and pre-
pared to make his debut.
In the sewing circles and at after
noon teas the affair was talked over
very solemnly by the older folks, but
with mysterious snicker by the
Younger members. A barrel Of wigs.
tights and grotesque masks was sent
up from New York costumer's and
rehearsals were held in remote corners
of houses. Rumors we're industriously
circulated that the affair was not to
have any more latitude than church
fair with "Rebecca at the Well" an
| mex, and Mr.. Wilson prepared to spend
delightful evening with old Biblical
ladies and gentlemen decorously resus-
citated for the occasion.
The night of the character party"
came. The old folks got to the hall
early with their knitting and sat
around it with a pleased look of ex-
pectancy. Then the biblical charac-
ters" began to file in before their as
tonished eyes. There were ballet
girls, red Indians, clowns, living pic
lures. harleq dins and tramps, with al
coholic make-ups, pretending to be
drunk. 1t was said by some of the
outraged trustees that the affair par
took very much of the character of the
French ball in New York, though how
a Bridgeport church elder knows
about French balls is not quite clear.
THANK heaven. the pastor doesn t
know about this" said an old lady fer
vently. at would break his heart"
"Know about itW exclaimed one OF
the committee. "Why, he got the
thing up. He's coming himself dressed
as the Wild Man of Borneo, in few
minutes"
impossible" ;.
At this moment Mr.. Wilson, who, it
is said, was in his costume, put bis
head in the door. He was splendidly
gotten up, they declare, as Goliath, and
the expression that came over his face
as he saw the wild, weird scene of rev.
elry before him was perfect imitation
of the physiognomy OF the giant when
he realized that David had got the de-
cision. Mr.. Wilson himself says that
he did not don his costume at all.
"There he is.n cried the young folks.
"There's the pastor as the Wild Man OF
Borneo."
But Mr.. Wilson gave one startled cry
aud fled out into the night.
The masqueraders resolved that they
might as well be electrocuted for a
sheep as lamb, and they continued
the dance, few of the older persons
who saw nothing improper in 1t remain
As Mr.Wilson had given the 'charac-
ter party" his sanction, he is in pre-
dicament. Those who were scandal
lied by the ball don't know what to DO
or say, and all the others are laughlng.
Rudy's Pile Suppository
is ona-anteed to cure PILES and CONSTIPA.