The Portland daily press., 1898-06-13
ST. LAWRENCE.

play. The organ was handsomely fes-
TONED with white clover blossoms and
evergreen, as was also theHrailing of the
choir loft, behind which were displayed
the beautiful palms and potted plants.
The pulpit platform was adorned with
jardinieres of snowballs and elegant cut
flowers.
Following the responsive reading and
preceding the anthem came the impress
sive baptisma1 service, four little chill
dren receiving the sacred ordinance
Mr.. Wrlght's sermon to the children
was from Luke. 2:42, "And when he was
IL years old they went up to Jerusalem
after the custom of the feast" The theme
was Jesus at the age of 10 perfect pat
tern for children today.
I. His example as boy teaches that
at the age of IL boys and girls should
have thoughts of the supreme business of
life.
II. That at the age of 10 there should
by practical preparation begun for the
work of life.
III. That Jesus self consecrated boy
is an encouraging example of reasonable
and possible self devotion in early youth
to God4,IEgG Gsq
In conclusion. the preacher reminded
parents and teachers of the great import
ance of the, transitional period, when
childhood gives place to youth time. This
period is epochal in the life
of the young. It is religions best oppor-
tunity and the greatest hope of the
church. Parents should be anxious and
earnest in efforts to secure the early bias
of the child life towards vital piety,
Christian living.
| The children's concert in the evening
was very attractive. Besides the usual
exercises there was singing by the infant
GLASS; "When He Cometh," by Ruth
Merrill; "Hail Strong Banner" by
chorus Of boys; Wreath of Roses, - by
six girls; america" by the audience:
sThe Glad Day of the Year." "Smiling
Flowers" by five girls, and solo by Al
bertha Hutchins, and several numbers
by the choir and school. One of the most
delightful features was the singing of the
solo by Mrs. Morgan, and the work by
the choir There were recitations by Fred
Thompson, Louis Strout, Helen Hayener,
Lena Curtis, Mary Blake, Philip john
son, Miss Pearl Watson and three girls.
Rev. Mr.. Wright also made brief res
| marks.
WILLISTON CHURCH.
The, observance of Children's day at
! WilIiston church was especially interest.
ing. Ferns. evergreens, palms, plants,
bouquets and flags were attractively
arranged in the forward part of the
church. The morning service was exclu-
sively given up to the Sunday school
children Of whom there were about 200
present as participants in the exercises.
They marched in at the beginning of the
musical programme the boys passing
up the aisle on the extreme right and
the girls on the left, the two columns
meeting In the rear of the church and re-
turning side by side down the center
aisle. Then the gaily attired little folks,
their faces radiant with sunshine tooh
seats by classes, each teacher looking
after her little flock.
4 An opening chorus, an anthem by the
choir, prayer and responsive Scripture
reading comprised the opening exercises,
following which the primary department
was called into requisition. There were
| ROTATIONS by Marjorie Sayward. Gladys
Chamberlain, George Cressey, Hilda M.
Crunn. Clement Goodwin, Vira Peters
and Henry Gooding, a vocal duett by
Warren Barnes and Olive Barnes, a trio
by Marjorie Stickney, Marion Jones and
Marjorie Ross, and an exercise by Dom
aid Bnrrowes, Dorothy Clay, Ruth Baker
| and Madeline Kenant. reg
One especially interesting feature was
the presentation of three Bibles to Lydia
Skolfeld, Milton Hanson and Donald
Grant, members Of the Sunday school,
who have passed the seventh Anniversary
Of their baptism in infancy. An appro-
pirate address by the superintendent &C.
| companied the presentation.
| A special Offering was taken to aid the
Portland Fresh Air society and toward
the fund for the sending of good reading
to the Maine soldiers at the front.
WEST END CONGREGATIONAL.
The Sunday school concert at the West
End Congregational church in the even
| ing called out large audience. The ex-
ere ises under the direction of Superin-
tendent William q. Morton, assisted by
the teachers of the Sunday school. were
exceedingly interesting. The programme
included Rotations by Florence Thomp-
son, Sadie Sawyer, Isabel Morrill,, Edith
Milliken, Carroll Berry, Blanche Elmer.
son, Ethel Miller, Blanche Lowe and
Sterling Dyer; songs by Martin Foss,
Margaret Emerson, Florence Thompson,
Bennie True, Elizabeth True and Mr..
Evans; clarinet solo by Ernest Haskell.
Inaddition to these there were several
dialogues, and emblematic recitations.
FIRST FREE BAPTIST. 81
The First Free Baptist church never
looked more attractive than yesterday
when morning and evening were given
up to the children. The flag of our coun-
try was the keynote Of the decorations.