The morning times., 1896-06-15

Chldren's Day, day looked forward to
with great deal OF interest by the chill
| dren of the Sunday schools, was apprO-
priately celebrated in all but the Episco-
pal churches yesterday.
This is the one day in the year when the
church service is conducted wholly in the
Interest OF the children Of the church
and Sunda school; when the program
OF exercises is arranged exclusively for
the children and, to a very large degree.
conducted by them; when the little folks
exhibit to their parents and to the older
members OF the church congregation what
they have been taught, how much they
have learned, and to what extent they
have profited by the instruction given
them In the Sunday school room.
Children's Day is a festal day. in the
church or Suuday y school room where the
chiIdren's exercises are given, decorations
of flowers and eyergreens form an import
ant part In the program OF festivities
The exercises are usually of a simple
nature, In many cases taking the form
of an entertainment to please the youngest
OF the little folks. The sermon preached
by the pastor is of such nature that
the Younger element can understand the
truths presented and the ideas which the
minister intends to convey.
The day set aside for the children long
since became an established institution.
It's Importance is readily recognized by
the children, aud the benefits derived from
its observance thoroughly understood.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DAY.
Children's Day was established by the
Presbyterian board OF publication nearly
fifteen years ago for the purpose of Gre
ating more OF an interest in the Sunday
school on the part or the children. and
that it has succeeded is shown 10y the
very large Increase iu the attendance OF
children at the Sunday schools throughout
the land and the interest manifested in
the days observance.
The first or second Sunday in June is
usually set inside as the day for children.
All the churches observe the day with the
exception OF the Episcopal Church, which
has "a chiidreD's day at Eastertime. The
boam of publication In in nstituting the day
ordered a collection to be taken OF the
offerings OF the children, and with this
money, contributed by the children, some of
the most effective work in the mission field
has been accomplished. 1t has been said
that "a Thousand mission churches have been
established each year from the funds con-
tributed. There are great many who
think the observance of children's day the
greatest missionary movement of the age.
A few years agO there were several fields
where missionaries were needed. but the
church found itself unable TO supply the de-
nand from lack OF funds. The children
came to the rescue and in their simple
but effective way made it possible to send
out some of the brightest men and women
in the missionary work.
CHILDREN'S DAY IN THE CHURCHES.
Yesterday as Children's Day was not Just
such an ideal day as the children would
like, but 1t was not oppressively hot. nor
did IL rain, 80 that the programs arranged
in the churches were carried out. The at
tendance was quite large and in every
church the children's festivities were much
enjoyed.
In tue Church of the Reformation joint
service of the Sunday school and congre-
CATION was held at II O'Clock. The co..
lection was for tue orphans.
ChiIdrcn's Day services were held at
1 O'Clock in the Church of Our Father.
Chiidren's services we're held morning
and evening in the Hamline N. E. Church
and were conducted by the children Of the
Sunday school.
The morning service at the Metropolitan
Church was devoted to the children. when
the exercises were wholly in their in
terest.
Musical and responsive exercises by
the school of the New York Avenue Church
and Bethany and Faith Chapels were held
in the church In the morning.
The CbildreD's Day exercises in the
Western Church consisted in the singing of
carols by the children and an object SER
mon by the pastor, Rev. Howard Wilbur
Ennis.
In the Assembly Church the Children's
Day program consisted of the singing OF
hymns and carols, recitations and the
pastors address.
In the Central NJ. P. Church the subject
for children's exercises was For Christ's
Sake"
The program at the Grace Methodist
Church included singing of carols by the
children. The decorations were quite
unique The program bore the name Of
'The Young Crusaders
The Childrens Day service at the Mount
Vernon Place Church South included in
terestiug exercises by the pupils in the
Sunday school.
Exercises in the Maryland Avenue Church
at IL O'Clock were very interesting, and
were well carried out by the little folks.
In the Trinity Church the children's ex-
ercses were held at 8 So'clock in the evening.
Superintendent L. d. Alden conducted the
children's service in st. Paul's English
A children's flower service was held at
10 o'clock yesterday at the Unitarian AL
Souls. -.
Children's Day exercises in the Waugh n.
E. Church were held at IL O'Clock, and were
school.
Mount Vernon Park Tonight.