The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-29
SUCCESSFUL Entertainments
BY FIRST BAPTIST AND ST. JAMES
EPISCOPAL SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
A Beautiful Cantata, ssIn Santa Claus
Land,' Well Rendered at the F1rst
Baptist Church-Presents Distrfbut-
ed to the Children-Children of st.
James Sunday school Load a CHRIST
mas Tree With Presents for Chapel
of Good shepherd.

In Santa Slaus' Land is the title
of a charming Christmas cantata which,
was presented at the First Baptistl
church last night a an entertainment
for the Sunday h There was al
good attendance and those who partic-l
ipated ip the presentation Of the pro-
gramme We're accorded high praise
The church was prettily decorated. al
principal feature being a large we'll
framed and beautifully decorated,
Christmas tree laden with presents for
each OF the younger members OF the
school.
The tree stood to the left of the
stage which vas ingeniously arranged
for the presentation of the cantata-
The first scene represented the humble'
home Of a poor little girl. Mary" i'm
personated by little Miss Ellen Elliott.
She had never owned a doll and was
very anxious for Santa Claus TO brinsI
her one. She was represented in the
scene as writing Santa Claus a note
asking for a doll and adding as a post
script that if Santa Clause could not.
bring the doll and a present for her
mother also just bring mothers pres
ent and she would do without the doll
The eel then changed 10 Santa
Claus and at Christmas eve, where a
bevy of Santa's elves were represented
as busily preparing his. pack OF toys
for the annua trip over the world.
The elves were Harry Morriss, Leland
Whitney, David Struthers, Frank
Keith, Homer McRae, George Brown,
Vivian Whitfield and Charles King.
Master Earl Webb as Jack Frost"
came upon the scene and began to sau-
cily tease the elves rs they busted
themselves with thair unrL-.nlI Co Mt a
Claus, inDersonated by Mr.. Alex. Hol-
den, made his appearance and was
warmly greeted. He directed the prep
arations for the journey and as he was
about to leave a lovely of
Wish Fairies arrived with letters
from children expressing their choice
for Xmas gifts. The fairies were Lu-
Gle and Mary Riley, Edith Pritchard,
Grace Pritchard, Lula Morrill,, Bessie
Lathrop, Ora Perry and the two little
Misses Lorenzo.
All the letters were read and the de-
sired presents selected except that of
little Mary, which was Inadvertently
dropped upon the floor. Santa then
started out merrily upon his journey.
Mrs. Santa Claus came upon the scene
and ound Mary's Inflated letter. She
held a consultation with the elves and
fairies and they all decided to go to the
First Baptist Sunday school where
they knew they would find Santa
Claus and carry him a doll for Mary.
Miss Santa Tau was admirably i'm
~personated by Miss Irine Peterson.
The last scene represented the entire
company from Santa Claus land on the
stage when old Santa was told of his
mistake, the extra produced and pre-
scented TO Mary by Jack Frost.
Especially notable musical features
we've by a quartette composed Of Mrs
Blomme. Mrs. Woody, Mr.. Woody and
Mr.. WiHiford.
Miss Nellie Platt rendered quite
sweetly a solo entitled "Christmas
Again Returning"
Little Miss Mary White rendered az
a recitation Suppose" in a manner
which elected many deserved compli.
mentS.
After the awarding Of the much de
served doll to Mary and also a huge
present for her mother as per the mote
which she had written, Santa Claus
with the assistance of the elves, fairies
and others, together with Superintend
ent George E. Leftwich, began tn
work of distributing presents to thu
Sunday school children, taking a pres
ent for each Of them from the Christ
mas tree dolls in many instances) ant
adding to each a neat box OF confec
tons.
Much credit for the success of tn
cantata is due to Mrs. Oscar Byerl,
and Miss Hester Struthers, who direct
ed the reheasals and planned the enter
tainment.
ST JAMES SUNDAY SCHOOL EN-
TERTAINMENT.
The children Of ST. James Sunda,
school enjoyed a beautiful entertain
ment last night in the parish house.
large Christmas tree was prepared b.
the teacher and all the children wit
gifts to be placed upon it to be given t
the children of the Chapel Of the Goo
Shepherd. The tree, with all it's pres
ents, will be carried to the Chapel O
the Good Shepherd Friday night an
presented to the members Of tina
school.
After the decorations on the Christ
mas tree were completed, DIR. Strange
in a few we'll chosen and efectiv
words, told the children why it shout
be uch a great pleasure for them t
give as we'll as for those to whom tn
presents are intended, to gladly re
ceive.
The teachers engaged a band to fur
nish the music at the parish house las
night and all kinds of games were mel
rily played. The evening was one c
rare enjoyment.