The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20
ST. PAULs INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
NEW YORK CITY

ST. PAUL'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
In the series of articles entitled DO
ing theTown." the Mail of this city prints
from reporter the following description
of st. Paul's (Universalist) Industrial
School:
Busy as bees!-and happy.
1t is Saturday morning in the chapel
of st. Paul's Universalist church, just
the same as it is all over town.
But here, in the building devoted to
good works and wise teaching, Saturday
morning means large congregation Of
little children who haven't much''a home
either for comfort or pleasure
What a crowd of eager, ambitious and
buoyant little folks-how restless and yet
how orderly! Row after row and group
after group. and what heterogeneous
cast of faces. Some are white and others
are dark, many showing the tlnge of col
ored blood. But all are animated, and
every pair of eyes sparkles with gladness.
These little folks are in their best bib
bibs and tucker. But that doesn't i'm
ply any frippery done in silk and a null
tiplicity Of ribbon. On the contrary,
the fashion that obtains is cleanliness in
gearing made of inexpensive material.
1t is neat, tidy crowd-somewha fur
beloved, if one must be accurate con-
corning ruffies, and embroidered hens,
and bits of bright ribbon, and occasion
ally natural rose and an artificial vio-
let. And it may as well be said that in
matter of headdress there is wonder
fully diversified display of carefully done
curls and little braids and hair of all
colors from blonde to jet black, primped
and stranded and brushed with evident
sedulousness.
The miDgling of voices unite in a SUBJ
dued clamor. with an occasional loud
laugh rising above the confusion. But
tap of the bell means order, and
they right-about face in the seats,
few stragglers making dash for places
which they esteem as an established
privilege.
How sudden is this hush-as if some
surprise or shock had paralyzed mirthful
talk. But the truth is, glad expecta-
tion arrested the attention of these
children at the tap of the bell.
When the superintendent -Mrs. L. G.
Bassett-takes the good book in her
hand peculiar reverence settles upon
the crowd, each head being slightly
dropped. Then each pair of little hands
is clasped and the heads are bowed
lower, while the entire assembly MUIR
murs prayer.
Scarcely is the solemn "Amenw pro-
nounced ere an echo of delight sweeps
over the crowd-not bit of gratitude
because the prayer is ended, but rest
less expression of delight because every
body may now sing.
Every child of the 300-and- odd joyous
ly bristles with ambition to lift it's voice
in soundful if not tuneful, praise of the
occasion, whether or no much realizing
the expressed gratitude for living in at
tuned verse.
But the volume of song is harmonious,
very few notes going astray. 1t is de-
lightful volume of voice-this large as
sembly of children singing the sacred
lines-and it seems that with each meas
ure their eagerpess intensifies, until the
conclusion is a shout of Inspirations
shout that is the fullness of happiness,
sweet and clear with no rudeness break.
ing the peaceful acclaim.
***
In groups of seven these children clus-
ter around a teacher. From capacious
bag are taken seven bundles, the unfin-
ished sewing work of each pupil-for
this is sewing school, now in industrial
swing. Each child has its own thimble
and needle and thread. And as soon as
the work is distributed seven little right
hands go to work merrily, striving to ex-
eel.
Sewing is accepted as girls work, to
be sure, but here and there are boys.
They are not turned out.
They all sew until the bell sounds for
the last stitch. Then sigh mounts to
the ceiling, sigh OF regret, because the
little bundles must be returned to the
bag.
80
The st. Paul Church Industrial school
was organized eighteen years ago by
Mrs. William Ryder. The officers of the
school this year are: Superindent. Mrs.
L. G. Bassett; assistant superintendent,
Mrs. Noble b. Judah; secretary, Mrs. e.
A. Lancaster.