The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-16
AT THE REFORM SCHOOL.
speciaI Easter Services Held at the
InStItutiOn.

The BOYS in the District Reform School
observed Easter yesterday afternoon. 1t
WAS a festival without parallel in the
city. For weeks the youngsters had been
looking forward TO it. At ) O'Clock yester-
day afternoon they filed into the chapel
Fresh linen collars, newly polished shoes,
and roundabouts and trousers from which
the last speck of dust had been brushed.
told of the pains to which they had gone in
making themselves presentable.
Col. C. A. Shallenberger, the superin-
.endent. who sees 10 it that Easter and
Christmas are always celebrated had in
vited Rev Dr. George o. Little and Assist
ant Postmaster General W. S. Shallenber-
ger to address the lads. DR.. Little, who
for twenty-five years was in charge Of
Assemblys Presbyterian Church. now holds
the chair Of pastoral theology in Howard
University Besides the two speakers of
the day, perhaps forty other friends who
are interested in the school were present,
and they took most OF the room available
In the chapel.
Colonel Shallenberger, the superintend-
ent. presided. To the music OF piano and
cornet the boys at o'clock filed into the
room. two abreast, in squads under the
eyes of the teachers. They ranged in size
all the way from little fellows Of six or
seven, still in short trousers, up to bigger
lads OF sixteen or seventeen who will
soon be dismissed from their terms OF de-
tention. A triie over one hundred were
coIored The others. numbering about
seventy-fve. were white boys. They live
In different dormitories and occupied differ
ent sides of the room. but all wore the
same uniform-a dark blue roundab bout
coming down to the hips. with small brass
buttons, light blue trousers, and indigo
forage caps. Some of the youngsters up
stairs were sick with measles They cried
lugubrously at being unable to attend the
services. Easter is one OF the biggest
days in the whole year with them. To
miss It is almost like missing Christmas.
Sitting there in long rows, the boys, con-
victed OF every misdemeanor known TO ju-
venile offenders Joined in the service. with
an earnestness that was fascinating. The
crowd Of strangers attracted only passing
attention. When the readings and the re-
sponses commenced. the boys interest was
riveted alternately on the leader and on
their books. They gave their responses in
the same disciplined. systematic way in
which they marched, and in the HYMNS
they Joined with all the power Of their
sturdy young voices.
After Colonel ShallenheTgeT had finished
tie opening exercises made up OF invoCa-
tons. responsive readings, and hymns
Rev. DR.. Little was introduced. He spoke
about Easter. the gladdest day in all the
year for Christians. He told how ii meant
the resurrection OF Christ and symbolizsd
the resurrection of the body. The flow
ers and the music and the dress, which
characterized our observance OF Easter"
he said, all typity the happiness that
Christians feel on the day when the Lord
conquered death and the grave His ad-
dress was simple explanation OF the car
dinai principles OF Easter observance. The
boys listened TO it with wonderfully close
attention.
There was some more music. and then
Mr.. Shallenberger, Second Assistant Post
master General, made a short talk. He
told the boys of the constant strife that is
entailed in fighting against sin, and he
eXhorted them to continue in well doing
AT the close Of Mr.. Shallenberger's talk
Miss Mary Walk sang an Easter carol in
pleasing style. and the exercises closed
with a song by the boys
The room was decorated with Easter
lilies, while on the walls there were bright
colored Biblical pictures and engrossed
texts, and big posters. containing the
Apostles creed and other simple religious
exercises. Donald Macleod acted as plan
ist and ". H. Thomas was cornetist
Among the visitors were Captain Brian.
fee; Samuel W. Curriden and William NJ.