Evening star., 1899-04-03
EASTER AT REFORM SCHOOL
Divine Services Yesterday Participated in
by the Inmates
Discourse by DR.. j. j. Muir of E
street baptist Church-Many
Visitors Present.

The Easter service yesterday afternoon
at the boys reform school, near historic
Bladensburg, was appropriate and inspir-
ing. Fully half a hundred citizens identi-
fled with or interested in the important
work of reclaiming wayward youths par
ticipated In the exercises, together with
the 80 charges of the institution.
The hall had been prettily decorated with
flowers for the occasion, and the boys in
their brass-buttored blue uniforms were
seated in rows down the center, the colored
boys on one side and the white ones on the
other, the smallest iii both sections being
at the front. The scrupulous care given
them by Superintendent Shallenberger and
his assistants was manifest in the bright,
smiling faces of the lads, who entered into
the spirit of the occasion with all the reVer-
ence and energy to be found IN any gather-
ing of similar size and makeup.
Superintendent Shallenberger led the serv-
ice with the assistance of L. d. Porter, the
assistant superintendent. On the platform
were Rev. DIR. J. j. Muir. pastor OF the
Z Street Baptist Church; Judge /. G. KIM
ball, Mr.. and Mrs. b. H. Warner and
Messrs. w. NJ. Shuster, jr., S. w. Curriden
and DR.. j. E. CARPENTER. representing the
Dr. G. A Wells, J. P. Rudy, John Campbell
and Prof. A. T. Stuart.
The program opened with Scripturai read
ings, to which the boys responded with
feTvor and then they sang chant and an
Easter anthem. Every one sang his best,
and the whole number produced volume
of harmony that made the hall ring. Frank
Wilson led the music and Mrs A. NJ. Cook
presided at the organ. w. II. Thomas and
e. H. Henney accompanied the singers with
cornet and euphonIum. Rev. Mr.. Muir de-
livered the prayer and the boys gave more
readings and songs
DIR. Nuir's Address.
The subject of DIR. Muir's address was
The Risen Christ and his purpose was to
show his youthful hearers the Importance
of Easter, as it related to their daily lives.
He said the day is the greatest in the
Christian year. although he admitted that
many persons would be inclined to regard
it inferior to Christmas day. In reply to
these he would say, he said, that without
Easter and the resurrection the significance
of Christmas would be lost.
The Christian religion" said he. 'fs diff
ferent from all Others in that, although the
rest celebrate the birthday of some great
person connected with their belief, Chris
tianity alone is able to celebrate the death
and resurrection of its founder. What L
want you boys to feel is that Christ rose
for each one of you.
Many people accept the fact of the
resurrection in general way, but do not
take il in any personal way. If you think
OF it for yourself. however, you will
come to learn its true significance, and you
Will iliIu IL d nelp " ypu mere III your SCHOOL
in overcoming bad habits and getting con-
troll over yourselves. The fact that Christ
died for you is wonderful one, but l want
TO talk to you now. not about dying. but
about living. You need have no fear about
that. Well die rightly if We live rightly"
Music and Bcnediction.
The service was closed with singing and
the benediCtion.
Many of the visitors were escorted over
the buildings and grounds. They expressed
admiration of the well-kept lawns. the sun
lighted dormitOries and the great spotless
dining hall. Mrs. Shaiienberger and her
daughters. with the other ladies at the
school. entertained the lady visitors. The
service will be remembered as probably the
most enjoyable and successful of the kind
ever given ir the handsome structure that
overlooks the capital city.