Evening star., 1896-12-29
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.
Children Made Happy in q Number
City ChuFche1,

Children Made Happy In q Number OF
City Churches.
It has been the custom for number Of
years in this city for the various churches
to hold ctildren's celebrations during the
holidays. when the little ones are remem-
bered with appropriate gifts according to
their ages and the glad tidings Of the
birth of the Christ child are sent broad
cast in song. Some of these are held
Christmas eve, but the majority occur dur
ing the week after Christmas. A num-
ber were held yesterday, among which
were those at st. Pauls Episcopal Church,
st. Patrick's and st. Marks churches.
The custom at st. Pauls Church is to re-
member the poor at each holiday festival,
and last night all donations of money and
other necessaries received at this church
were turned over to the Children's Coun-
try Home. The money turned in will be
used for the erection Of a chapel at the
home, and very handsome sum was real
ized when the contributions were counted
up. All the children who attend Sunday
school at st. Pauls were present and their
glad faces made little world Of JOY with
in the four walls of the church. Santa
uted candy and nuts and fruit with a
royal bounty. Several carols were sung
by the little ones during the course OF
the entertainment In excellent shape. Rev.
address and after the several compositions
Of Rev. Hobart B. Whitney had been sung
the services In the church were ended and
all we're ushered into the parish hall,
where Santa Claus, In the person Of Mr..
Duncanson Ratcliffe, made his appear
ance.
ST. Patrck's Sunday school held its an
nual Christmas celebration yesterday after
feature Of the appearance of Santa Claus
gave way to a play called Santa Claus
Outwitted.' In which the children OF the
school took part. but the remainder Of the
leaux and the distribution Of candy. fruit
and nuts, was the same as on former oc-
casiors. Father MCGEE and DR.. Staf-
ford were present and did much to aid in
the festivities. Over 600 of the children
were present and the effect Of their young
voices in the several pieces Of Christmas
music given was excellent. Miss Lizzie
Diboul. Master Newton. Miss Elizabeth
Reynolds, Jack Early and Miss Emma
Sheen took part In the play and In the tab
leaux.
The Christmas entertainment OF st.
Marks p. E. Church was held last even
Ing. The feature OF the celebration was
the immense Christmas tree that fairly
groaned Under the weight Of the good
things suspended from Its generous branch
es and every one Of the children present
was remembered In some way or other.
Bishop Satterlee made q short address In
about the Significance ana the joy of the
Christmas customs. Miss Florence Nc
Nelly sang '"The Holy City" in her usual
ly effective manner.
St. MargaFet'a.
An old-fashioned Christmas festival was
given the children of St Margarets Church
last night. All Of the children who are
members of the Sunday school of the
church were present, and by the time the
entertainment began 1t was a hard matter
to find even standing room. The church
was prettily decorated, and, standing out
ccnsptcuously among the graceful garlands
ond festoons Of the holiday attire was an
enormous tree, brilliantly lighted and laden
with all manner Of good things. On the top
was a cleaning star, almost as brilliant as
the one which led the wise men Of old. BY
the side Of the tree stood an old-fashIoned
chimney, built entirely Of what seemed to
be real bricks. but which, on closer investi-
cation, proved to be boxes Of candy, the
hole structure weighing about 800 pounds
Down this chimney Santa Claus came, and
1t was not very long before the tree was
stripped and there was no chimney for him
to ascend again, for 1t had been dismantled
and each child present had a remnant. The
children were briefly addressed by Rev. Dr.
Buck OF Rock Creek Church. who spoke Of
the impressiveness of Our Sayior's teach
ings. His remarks, however, were inter-
rUpted by the entrance Of Santa Claus and
he was obliged to desist because of the up
rear. number OF carols and songs were
sung by the children and their voices
sounded sweet and melodious In the beauti-
full numbers.