The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-24
THE FIRST FESTIVAL HELD.
Santa Claus at Trinity-King's
Daughters and Orphans To-day.

Daughters and Orphans To-day.
The first Christmas celebration of the
season was held last night by the Sunday
school of Trinity church. There was a
large crowd OF older people present, as well
as most of the members Of the school,
and the occasion was enjoyed by old and
young alike.
REGULATIONS were given and songs were
sung on subjects pertaining to the Yule-
tide. Interpreted with the numbers of
the programme were letters from Santa
Claus, who IS on his way down from the
frozen north to pay the children visit
with his pack of Christmas things. In this
particular the entertainment was very
much like that of last year, when old ST.
Nicholas came down to see the Sunday
school. He then came by a different route.
This time he started from New York.
where his first letter was dated, and the
second letter was sent from Charleston.
The third was simply a note. The first
letter from Santa Claus, written in New
York, was as follows:
my Dear Children: Last winter, when
1 visited you. promised to come back if
you were good girls and boys. / hope you
have been real good, and that when
reach Trinity church hall 1 will find a
happy crowd of young ones awaiting me.
1 am packing up to leave for Savannah,
so look out for me on the 23d. Affection
ately, Santa Claus"
His next letter was:
well, dear little folks, l am in Charles
ton, and as soon as l can see the good
boys and girls in this place. l will be off
for Trinity church to see you. Listen for
my norm, for when it blows l am coming.
Santa Claus"
The children listened closely to the read
ing of the letters and were all agog with
excitement by the time the last had been
read. They were on the alert to catch the
first blast from the horn, and, when it
came, they were all standing in their
places to see the old gentleman come into
the room.
The coming of Santa Claus was followed
by the distribution of the presents that
had been gathered together for him. These
consisted of packages of candy andafruit
Tor each. The children We're called up one
by one, beginning with the little tots of the
infant class and given the presents All
TOOK them, the older pupils and teachers
as well as the children and big time was
had over the candy and fruit
The first number of the programme was
by MISS Meta Fretwell, who delighted the
audience with piano solo. Miss Pinky
vincent followed with a recitation that
was greatly enjoyed, as was also the song
by Miss Ethel Fretwell. Miss jamie Shup-
trlne also pleased her hearers with reel
tation.
There will be two Christmas trees held
TINS afternoon. One of them will be held
at the Catholic library hall at 3 O'Clock
under the management of the ladies of
Froebel Circle of the Kings Daughters
Ihey expect to distribute toys clothing,
|. fruits and candy to more than 500 of the
poorer children of the city. The ladies'
nave been deVoting a great deal of their
time to the work of getting everything
IN readiness for the tree. They have Wis
lted the homes of many poor people to ask
them to allow their children to attend the
tree. Lists We're secured from the city
physicians of those whom they might ask
TO be present. Lately the ladies have been
busted in tying up and labelling the many
packages that will be given.
The other tree will be at the Savannah
Female Orphan Asylum, at OgletEHnpe
avenue and West Broad street. The Pres
ents for the girls will be distributed at
o'clock. programme of songs has been
arranged for the occasion, and these will
be sung by the girls, some of whom have
excellent voices. Many contributions for
the tree have been received by the ladies.
who constitute the board of directors of
the asylum. The tree will be placed in the
school room, which is large enough to ac-
commodate the visitors expected. A big
Christmas dinner will be given the girls
tomorrow.
A dinner will also be given those at the
Abraham's home, on Broughton street to-
morrow. 1t has been customary for some
years for the ladies of the various
churches to see that those living at the
home are supplied with the means for an
excellent dinner. Contributors have never
been lacking, and the dinners have always
been enjoyed. Donations will be received
at the home until o'clock Tomorrow
No Christmas tree or other celebration
will be held this year by the Sunday
school of the Independent Presbyterian
church as a whole, though many of the
classes will be entertained at the homes
of the teachers. The celebrations of most
of the other Sunday schools have already
been announced. That of the First Bap-
fist church will be held next Thursday
night, and will consist of a Christmas tree
in the lecture room. A programme of
songs and Rotations will be rendered