Evening star., 1896-12-31
CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS S
Little Ones Remembered BY Presents and
Entertainments.
Celebration in the Churches During
the Holiday Season-An Acci-
dent to Santa Claus.

Mr.. E. P. Hamlin was painfully burned
about the hands and arms last evening
while acting the role Of Santa Claus in a
Christmas entertainment held In the Ham,
line NJ. E. Church, corner Of 9th and P
streets. He was dressed In the usual Santa
Claus costume and descended chimney,
entering an improvised room through the
open fireplace. in which the fire had not
been entirely extinguished. His robes ig-
nited, and before the flames were smoth-
cred he received severe burns. There was
considerable excitement among the roomful
of spectators, but cool heads prevented q
panic.
Great preparations had been made for the
entertainment for the Hamline Sunday
school. and last evening the church audi
torfum was completely filled with the pupils
and parents and members Of the congrega-
tion. The church was deliberately decor
ated. The platform had been transformed
to represent an old-fashioned room, with a
large mantelpiece and an open fireplace, in
which fire was burning. Stockings were
hung in row from the mantel. Santa
Claus was to come down the chimney and
through the fireplace to fill the stockings
but he slid down too soon, before the gas
In the crate had been put out. Mr.. Ham,
Inns costume was soon in flames, but with
admirable presence Of mind he managed.
with some assistance, to put out the fire
before 1t had comm mlnicated to the decora-
tions of the room and other light, inflam-
mable material on the platform, but not be-
fore he was badly burned. He was taken
Immediately into another room and re-
ceived medical attendance.
After the excitement had quieted down,
the program was continued, and gifts were
distributed to all the pupils in the school.
nominal price of admission was flxed
everyone who attended being expected to
bring some offering for the poor. and a
large quantity Of groceries and provisions
were in this way collected.
st. PnuI's Church.
st. Paurs English Lutheran Church
gave a pleasant entertainment last
evening to the Sunday school. The
exercises were held in the Washington
Light Infantry Armory Hall, which was
crowded with the friends and pupils Of the
school, Mr.. L. D. Alden, superintendent of
the school. had charge of the exercises
There were songs and recitations, and a
drill by twelve members of the junior de-
partnent. The honor roll was read and
those who were so fortunate as to have
their names upon 1t were presented with
their rewards. Mr.. Alden pointed out the
need of a larger Sunday school room, and
presented the first brick toward new edi-
flee. Mr.. Ed. Muth, organist of the church.
was remembered last evening by his friends
In the congregation. who presented him
with handsome ring. Mr.. Alden received
q vase. and Miss Nettie E. Seitz and Miss
Margaret r. Fox, primary teachers, were
given flowers from the holy land.
St. Marks.
AT st. Marks Pro-cathedral Church last
evening special entertainment was held
for the children in those households not
visited by Santa Claus during his recent
rounds. Forty-three boys and girls re-
ceived suitable presents of toys and dolls
besides cakes and candies and nuts and
other good things.
Enter rtainrlent at Foundry.
The annual Chistmss entertainment
given by the Sunday school of Foundry NJ.
E. Church, took place last night and was
very largely attended.
After the opening hymn was sung prayer
was offered by the pastor. Rev. DR.. o. A.
Brown. Then followed recitations by Miss
Mabelle Perry and others, solos by Miss
Grace Altschu and Miss Elizabeth Whaley.
During the evening other songs were rem
dered by the Sunday school. The tabIeauxs
presented we;e received with prolonged
applause. Presents were presented to the
infant class, and then refreshments were
served TO all present by a committee of
young ladies Of Foundry.
In the course of the evening Mr. James
Church, check to Mr. Wilson for his un-
tirirg efforts as musical director of the
Sun day school and orchestra Much credit
is due to Mr.. Robert Bains, Mr. James L.
Ewin, the efficient Sunday school SUPER
intendent; Miss Grace Chandlee, Mrs Alt
schu, Miss Corinne Chandlee, Miss Alice
Chandlee. Miss Laws, Miss Ella Slime
n. etZ and Miss Emma Stinemetz for the
way In which the entertainment was got