Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-29
CALLS OF OLD SANTA
HE ATTENDS CHRISTMAS CELEBRA-
TIoNs IN MANY CHURCHES.
THE OLD FELLOWS BUSY WEEK
Grace-street baptist, Third Presby-
terrain, Laurei-strcet Methodist,
and FIRST English Lutheran Sum
day Schools Have Their Festivals


The Tabernacle OF the Grace-Street
Baptist church was filled to It's utmost
capacity yesterday afternoon. the occa-
sion being the Christmas entertainment
for the infant class. The beautiful can
tata of "a Surprise to Santa Claus was
rendered by nineteen OF the children
A party Of little ones having met to dis-
cuss Christmas joys, conceive the happy
idea OF bringing gifts to Santa Claus ana
while engaged in piling up gifts for him.
he appears at the top of chimney ana
descends laden with good things Tor
them. A band Of elfs make the welkin
ring with their glad huzzas, and while
trying TO make others happy the little
ones find the greatest happiness lor
themselves. Bonbons and fruits were
distributed in great abundance. The ex-
excuses. which were conducted by Super
intendent Jones and by DR.. Hatcher, were
short but varied and interesting. Inc
gem Of the occasion was recitation
1.-THE COLLINS VIII Catch You'-oy heee
Miss Louise Watkins, the daughter OF
the popular vocalist Haddon S. Watkins.
There were several solos well executed
and the whole programme reflected credlt
on those VINO prepared It, Mrs. u. Is.
Van Buren, is the popular teacher or TINS
large class of $50 pupils, and Miss Bessie
Powell. the accomplished pianist. MI.
Hugh Powell, who acted as Santa Claus
nit
tones in special vocal selection
THE THIRD PRESBYTERIAN.
The Christmas festival of the Third
PRESBYTERIAN church Sunday school was
celebrated yesterday afternoon at 4:5V
o'clock. with great enthusiasm. Inc
room was packed with officers, teachers
scholars, and friends of the school.
Beautiful Christmas music was rendered
by a select chorus from the SCHOOL, as
sisted by the members of the choir under
the direction of Mr. c. Il. McCluer'
with Miss Mamie Hill as pianist. The
children from the Masonic Home also
sang a sweet chorus. and Misses Mar
shall and Clarke an appropriate duet.
Rewards for attendance during the past
wear were distributed to twenty-three
scholars by the pastor and superlh-
tendent. Five of these have not missed q
session of the school for more than tVe
years-namely, Miss Maggie Gilman
eight years; Master Roscoe McGlIIlh'
eight wears: Miss Fannie Craig, five
wears and Misses Pansy Walton and
Nellie Wilson, each six years. The mute
ones enjoyed most the grand finale, when
Mr.. Stanley Reed, as "old santa
came down the chimney with MS gills'
He was ably assisted by Misses jackson
and Robinson, personating Mamma IN
her kerchief, and l in my cap. All
were captivated and the little ones ue-
parted with joy in each heart and Dag
in each hand.
LAUREL STREET METHODIST.
The Sunday-school classes of Laurel
Street Methodist church last night helu
their Christmas celebration, and most
pleasant evening was spent by all-olu
and young. The Following mteres'lhs
nroeramme was rendered: Chorus, by the
school: prayer, by Mr.. r. f. Gale; recita-
tion. bv Miss Grace Scott; duet. by Misses
Eva. Robertson and Iris 1raylor; recita-
ton. by Miss Alma Yarbrough; chorus
nv the school; duet, by Misses Iarorough;
solo by Miss Sacie Martin; chorus by the
school: SOLO by Miss Eva Robertson.
MIR. Gale presented the bags Of candy
and the presents. Many Of the teachers
also received presents from their classes.
MIR Tonnie Mitchell impersonated Santa
Claus.
ST Johns church Sunday school held
its Christmas celebration Monday after
| noon at 8 O'Clock. Captain Myers acted
as Santa Claus.
The Rosebud Society of Asbury Metho-
| dist Episcopal church visited the aims
house Monday afternoon, and carried a
| feast OF good things TO the inmates OF
| the institution.
The Sunday school of Marshail-Stree'
| Christian church will give its Christmas
entertainment this evening at the church
and a delightful time is promised.
FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN cHuRCf
SCHOOL.
The Sunday school Of the First Enghsn
| Lutheran church held the anniversary
| celebration last night at 3 O'CLOCK al
| interesting programme of music ana reel
| tations was cleverly interpreted. and a
| very ENJOYABLE time was spent. Mr.. de-
| Ter ZONES impersonated Santa Claus, and
| every child was presented with some
token and with box of candy. me ceie-
| bration took place in the audience-room
| Of the church.
| THE Christian Mission school, on west
| Main street, had its Christmas testVal
| last night. There was large dtteiu"iiO'
and the occasion was one OF great In
terest. Santa Claus made bountlfui ais
tribution of good things.
| DAY-NURSERY CHILDREN'S TREAT
The Day-Nursery children are to have
| their annual Christmas treat on Thurs
| day next at IL o'clock The ladies who
| are identified with the management Of
this institution are expected to assemble
at the nursery, No. 1916 east Franklin
street. at IL o'clock.
The entertainment will include music
and the regulation Christmas feast, bu
| there will also be many novel features
and not a few surprises for the little ones
Mrs. George A. Lyon, who has charge
of the affair. will remain at the nursery
| to-day between the hours OF 10 and u
receive donations for the treat, in whici
effort she will be assisted by Mrs c. +
| Walford. 1t is hoped that the Response
will be very hearty. as the supply does
not by any means equal the demand W
to this present.
JOY AT THE ALMSHOUSE.