The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-28
NO LACK OF CHRISTMAS TREES
HALF A DOZEN CHURCHES HAD
THEM LAST NIGHT.

Unique Festival at Wesley MOnu-
mental Chureh-ChiIdren of ST.
PnuI's Episcopal, st. PauI's Luth-
eran and ST. MIchaefs and All
Angels Episcopal Mission Made
Happy by Gifts From santa Claus.
ChiIdren's Festival at the Telfafr
HOspitaI-0ther Festivals to Be
Held Tonight.
The entertainment given to the children
of the Sunday School of Wesley Monu-
mental Church last night was decided
success. The Sunday School room was
decorated with greens, and at the further
end a curtain descended, in front Of which
the presents were piled, but all covered.
Upon calling the school to order Mr.. r.
b. Reppard asked that the children repeat
after him the following verse, and learn
1t later:
This year 1 shall try to speak a shade
gentler than the year before,
Pray a little oftener, love a little more;
Thus life below shall liker grow to life
above
After this came the programme of exer-
cises Mrs II. r. Crittenden presided at
the piano, and Mr.. Hardy played the cor
net. During the singing Of the second song
sleigh bells were rung. Then the curtain
at the back was drawn aside, disclosing
a perfect miniature church, surrounded by
pine trees, covered with snow, and amid
the burning of green lights a real snow
storm greeted the eyes of the enthusiastic
audience.
From the doorway of the church Santa
Claus, in the person of Mr. Henry Nell
veen, emerged His costume was such as
is read of, and is seen in pictures, and GER
tainly the old gentleman had lost none
of his jolity, In spite of his years. AS
sisted By some of the gentlemen, Santa
Claus distributed the presents, which were
numerous and handsome. Every child
received a present, a bag of candy and a
Dewey cap filed with candy and nuts.
These caps were among the most original
things, and the entire school seemed TO
have preferred this headgear to that or
iginally worn, for they at once removed
their own hats, and wore these.
After the presents for the school had
been given out, it was time for the schol-
ars to make their offerings, which was
for the poor of the city, and they each
filed past, placing the presents they had
brought 10 replenish the much-depieted pile
of those left over
Mrs. Crittenden, Mrs. Ackermann, Mr..
Crittenden and Mr.. Demmond constituted
the choir, singing within the church. They
sang "Hark, Hark My Soul, Angelic
Strains Are Swelling" very beautifully.
The solo sung by Santa Claus, with a doll
in his arms, was much appreciated. After
he had f1nished,o one little voice called: 'sMr.
Santa Claus, you loves that dolly heaps,
don't your to which Santa Claus am
swered, YES, indeed"
Before the close of the exercises Mr..
Reppard proposed a vote of thanks to his
fellow superintendent, Mr. Snedelxer, which
was joyously and enthusiastically given.
A vote of thanks was also given Santa
Claus, together with an invitation 10 come
next year, and each year during the next
century.
The committee having the celebration in
charge was formed of Mr.. c. V. Snede-
ker, Mr.. c. II. Carson, Mrs. H. E. Crit
tenden, Mrs, E. S. Dasher and Mrs. Nc
Murray. There are 400 children in the
Sunday School.