The Portland daily press., 1898-06-13
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY.
Was Celebrated in a Number of
Churches Yesterday.

Churches Yesterday.
Tho Pulpits Decorated With FIowers-The
Music Special for the Day-The Ser
mons Addressed to the Children-The
Light Dresses Appropriate for the
Season.
A number of years ago Children's day
was observed by the Methodist church
alone in this city. They made no special
of Easter as the other denom-
nations did but their wealth Of floral
decorations, their special music and the
beautiful memorials to those Of their
number who had departed, were reserved
for one of the Sundays in June, the
month of roses. Gradually many of the
other scots fell into the same custom, so
on different Sundays in June, now, there
are few churches that do not make some
observance of this festival
Yesterday opened, after the thunder
warm and muggy, and as the wind
vered again to the east there were clouds
and showers. But those churches that
proposed to celebrate did so to large con-
gregations. These are some of the
churches that observed the day. Aaa
7 FREE STREET.
The pulpit recess was prettily decorated
wi tn large pots of hydrangeas, wild flow
ers, snow balls aud ferns. Rev. Mr.. Will
son, the pastor preached sermon to the
children from Matt. v. IA, eye are the
light of the VOL Id The sermon was
illustrated with colored candles of various
sizes. The idea was that we draw light
from another source; we are not self
lighted. 1t isn't matter of external cir
cumstance, the color and beauty of can
dies. Even a small candle can perform
great work in lighting the hearts and
lives of other people.
1t was interesting to note how the pas.
tors address took with the children;
how quickly the comprehended and re-
sponded to his questions. He lighted q
white candle and then blue one and the
children at once declared that the one
gave as much light as the other. He
lighted little tree candle and by it
stood big candle and he asked boy
how he was going to light the big candle
when he had no matches. The boy quick
ly replied, "Light 1t with the little one,
that's lighted The pastor then ex-
planned how even little life exercised in
the right direction can enlighten the life
of much older and greater person. The
sermon was admirable. 1t not only in
struoted and interested the children but
but even the adults listened with pleas
urs. The rest of the morning service was
of the usual character.
In the evening the church was filled at
the Sunday School concert The school
sang with much credit the chorus,
Awake, "June Song" "The Worlds
Creator" and Natures Praise" M ISIS
Walsh gave reading with much taste.
The primary exercises were very interest
ing and the pastor gave short address.
STATE STREET.
The pulpit, recess and its surroundings
were brilliant with daisies, snowballs,
wild flow ers and potted plants Each
pew occupied by the scholars bore large
cluster of snowbaIls. The congregation,
which filled every seat was ushered by
Carl Smith, Philip Hinkley, Walter
Smart, Philip Thompson, Lawrence
Woodbury., Charles Harmon, William
Tobne@or and Rovr,ond Spart nurip.r
the sermon q son of Mr.. Harry Payson
was baptized and to these baptized chill
dren, who had reached the age of seven
years, Bibles were presented: Emily
Hart Brown, Everest Johnston, Dana K.
Merrill, Edgar Robinson Payson, Jr.,
Elizabeth Milliken Payson, Edward Pay
son, Walter M. Smith. e.
The exercises were very interesting.
That of Let each man take care how he
buildeth," was particularly attractive.
After the singing by "Little Builders
by the intermediate and primary depart
ments, Donald Payson spoke "The Build
ers," Margaret Russell..the "House Build
ers," Margaret Skillings the "Temple
Builders" and Henry Rines the Foolish
Builders" with response by the choir.
Among other pleasing recitations was
one entitled Greeting" by five little
boys, anotherss."Ou Happy Day." with
song. by twelve little girls; "Christ and
the Children by Hattie Brazier; "Ye
are my friends,'' by Paul Graham, Vir-
ginia Woodbury., Sanford Corey, Doris
Weber, Leroy Cummings and Ruth
Turner, and Before the Collection" by
helen Deering.
The music was fine, Kotzschmar pre-
sided OF the organ and the choir rendered
In grand style with ths school as chorus
es, Onward Chistian Soldiers" the
anthem, "Children's Day." and "Christ
Suffer Little Children with response
from, the primary department., were very
effective 81
DR.. Jenkins address to the children was
taken from Cd Timothy Ill 49, 4'All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God
and it is profitable for dootrine,afor re-
proof for correctness, for instruction in
righteousness. The doctor spoke first of