The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-04
Mites FOR MISSIONARIES
Children's Day Observed in the
Protestant Congregations.
Exercises ut the Vermont Avenue
Christian Church A Timely Ser
Gus Response 10 an Appeal for
Contributions to the GGcrinS.

mon by Rev. +. ID. Powcr-s;ener-
GUS Response IN an Appeal for
Contributions TO the Offering,
The first Sunday of Jupe. set apart by
the Protestant Churches of America for
the celebration of "Children's Day was
generally observed yesterday with appro-
pirate services. In many of the churches
ceremonies of unique character were held,
including addresses, hymns. and recita-
lions by the children.
The twenty-fifth anniversary Of the
movement to raise funds for missionary
purposes from the "Children's Day" con-
tributions Of the little ones made the
occasion of special moment. and in remem-
brance of the jubilee an increased Gffer-
ing was requested. A quarter of mil
lion dollars is the fund that the children
have been asked 10 contribute, and this
amount has been apportioned off among
the various churches. At the Vermont
Avenue Christian Church unusual Ire-
parations were made for the OBJ
servance of the day. Promptly at
IL o'clock the children from the Wash
ington Orphan Asylum filed into the gal
lery. which had been reserved for them,
and at the same time the various classes
of the Sunday School Of the church took
their places in the centre pews down.
stairs.
l. S. Van Arsdale, the superintendent Of
the Vermont Avenue Christian Church
Sunday School. had charge OF the eXer-
cises. which were as follows:
Singing. 1.-THE Light of the World"
Reading of the Scriptures.
Prayer by Rev f. ID. Power. the pastor.
Singing. .....................R Ring the JOY Bells
Address of Greeting. Miss Edna wells
Recitation. 'Childrens Day" Louise MeDermott
Singing the World Is Coming
Recitation. Forward the Macedonia Phalanx''
Song. The Little Builders
Infant class. in charge OF Miss Adah White.
Solo. In Go When You Want Me to Co
Miss Pearl Sceley.
Recitation Cry of the Nations"
By fourteen little girls.
Singing ........................"T the Rescue
Recitation. by four boys. Giving and Living
AdfTes'App'ai ,n lSh n Wsnn Offering 'y
Solo, Come Unto Me-. Mrs. Seeley
Song. The Pilgrims of the Night"
Children of Washington Orphan Asylum.
Sermon. Rev. +. ID. Power.
Reception of Converts.
The Lcrd's Supper.
One of the most pleasing features of the
programme was the recitation entitled
The Cry of the Nations Seven little
girls had been chosen from the interms-
date classes to represent Japan, CHINA,
Turkey, India, Africa, Scandinavia. and
the Islands of the Sea. and seven others
to represent the Christian nations of the
world. Each of the races of he1thendom
made its appeal through the representa-
tive, which was responded to by enc OF
the civilized nations through its repre-
sentative who presented a Bible as indi-
eating the help which was rendered in
answer to the appeal.
In making the appeal for the missionary
offering Andrew Wilson explained that
this was the jubilee year of the move
ment started twenty-five years ago in
the Church Of the Disciples of Christ. The
first years Offering. he said. was $3.50.
Last year. through the children, in con-
nection with children's day, about $4,000
was raised. This year. he informed the
congregation, the Church wished to make
a special jubilee offering of 100000. He
said it had been figured out that the share
Oh tUe NtTHlOul Avenue Suuudy SGnOOl
would be 500. and he asked that the
amount might be given then and there.
The Offering was taken and at the close
of the service it was announced that $50. 80
had been contributed. The balance was
paid in by individuals after the close Of
the exercises.
The sermon, which was brief. was
founded on these words: Come unto me
all we that labor and are heavy laden and
| will give you rest."-Matt xi:2S.
Asking the Sunday school to repeat the
text with him Mr.. Power said in part:
This is the biggest of texts. There are |
many passages in the Bible which we |
tightly prize. but this is the best of them |
III. 1t is easier TO come than TO go. In |
'itation and the prospect of something |
o enjoy acts as an incentive to ones |
oming. while his going may be regretful |
t leaving what he has enjoyed. 1t is |
asier to lead than to drive. Some of us
ound that out on the farms in our young
r days. The COWS and horses could be |
nticed with fodder where they could not
e forced with whips. / remember how
asy it was TO get the animals to follow
lie when ! had a basket full of the nub-
ms Of corn.
1T is proyerb that you can lead a
ig. but cannot drive him. Well, people
re like pigs. and can be invited and in
uced TO come where they would never go
their own accord. Children will follow
arents who kindly lead them. but they
o not like to be driven The Saviour
lands and beckons US. saying TO US. come,
ut he never drives even the weakest OF
is creatures into his kingdom.
This text says come. and other voices
lso say come. The excursion invites
gainst the wishes of father or mother.
lluremcnts on the street and in the ways
evil beckon the little ones. The saloon
ends out many invitations. and the world
full of the voices which say come. The
ext says come 10 me- and there are 9TH
rs who extend the same bidding. Satan
avs come TO me- a thousand tempta-
ions say the same. and it is all important
0 know whence the invitation comes and
fhither We are bid 10 come But when
esus says come unto me- We need have no
ear. He was born little child and
nows the griefs Of childhood. Az man
2 carried our inflrmities and he row in
ties us to enter into close relation with
i'm. To enter into the kings hall or 10
1t at his banquet is net enough We must
ONE TO the king and feel the pressure
I his hand in blessing on our heads.
hrist has led the children for 1900 years
nd In all that time not one has zone
stray. On the contrary he has I'd many
rom danger into safety. Other leaders
axe their followers to death. Napoleon
ID thousands of Frenchmen TO death at
be cannon's mouth and in the SHOWS of a
russian winter. King Alcohol leads his
aptives to destruction. and many tempta-
ions lead away from home. happiness,
nd hope. Christ never led anybody wrong.
gu can follow him safely.