The Newtown bee., 1903-01-02

PRESENTS.
Well, this heading puts it all togeth
er. 1t was all things taken in toto, as
they say, that made the Christ mas pro
gram OF the Congregational Sunday
school splendid success. 1t was not
any one part: it was all parts just as
one blossom does not make summer
or one warbler spring. OF course
Mrs Leonard S. Smith, who gave reci-
tations for the children, was good.
We expected she would be, and that
is why we had her come. OF 1courSe
the singing of the carols was spirited
and hearty. 1t could hardly help be-
ing so with such catchy tunes. Some
one has said that he did not believe
it was right. to let the devil have all
the fine music. Well, he got cheated
out of some of his property this year,
anyway, for these Christmas carols
were just of the sort the children like
to sing. You do not have to work to
get the children to sing them: they
Just sing themselves.
Where shall we begin, for The BEES
columns have much to say about what
other Sunday schools did that enjoyed
their festivals as we'll as we? Let us
begin with the audience. 1t was a
good. large one. We often wonder
what those old galleries are left there
for, Just to gather dust and remind US
of what poor architects our grandfath-
erS were it seems sometimes: but here
is a use for which they have been left,
to hold the overflow at Christmas en-
tertainments. South Britain sent
over delegation and Hawleyville was
represented in the throng. 1t was
amusing to stand at the door as the
people went out and think of the diff
ferent sections from which the people
came. Jesus was right when he told
us that the entrance into the Kingdom
of Heaven was through the doorway OF
childhood. A. P. Smith, superinten-
dent of the school. happily started the
exercises by introducing telegram
from Santa Clau', da ted from the Rev
CYRUS w. Francis church in Brook
field Center, wishing all the children a
Merry Christmas and saying that he
was soon to be with them in NeWtOWn.
Mr. Smith quoted from Lyman Abbott
the thought that what was wanted to-
day was not creed, but the desire to
lead the helpful ministering. life, Rev
Mr. Barker pleasantly introduced Mrs
Leonard S. Smith of Bethel; and bel
entertainment of the children was
simply charming. Her manner is sc
natural. You go right along with her
for the time you are the no-mistake boy
who is remarkably good "jest fore
Christmas" or the Mrs BrownlOw who
cannot explain why her invited guests
do not come. or the Caleb who thought
that a wife could be had just for the
asking who would make his bread, sew
on his buttons and be his drudge. Wher
| it was suggested that Mrs Smith hac
some encOres tucked away that might
be brought to light if called for, the call
| ing was made unmiStakable with the
applause. The selections were all 81
good and all so fitting that the wonde
was with some where they all cam
from. or course they came from thu
repertoire of one who has studied tn
what as we'll as the how in seeking hoy
to entertain an audience. The chill
dren were all asked to vote "Aye" a
the close of the exercises it by tina
word they would express that they ha
enjoyed the recitatiOnS of the evening
One or two midgets could hardly kee
back their "Aye" until Mr. Barker ha
finished his count of l, 2, 3: but whe
aftel the 4 the "Aye" did come, it wa
mighty shout whose reverberation
must still be ringing in Mrs Smith
ears.
Il In the course Of the program Rev NJ
} Barker told enough of the history c
children of 1sreal to show how it wa
that the thought of Il worlds Deliver
er had reached the far Eastern lane
He took the children into the life of
heather girl in India to illustrate b
contrast how Christ has blessed tn
life Of the children in Christian Amer
lea. How glad we all ought to be tina
Christ came into the world throug
the gateway of childhood, and not a
He might have done, as full-grOw
. man or in Heavenly splendor attende
by the legions OF the sky!
! Santa Claus was well impcrsonate
by George r. Wilson)the little folk
need not read this part). II SAINT
Claus with his many years OF happ
labor and many leagues of travel
now very old man, then, if Mr. Wi
sons impersonation is correct, the Wig
or of his youth is not slackened nor hi
natural force abated. All the toddlel
received presents from the green tree
and if with their armful some of thei
sweets would get out of the Christina
box, perhaps it was only a fit expires
sion of their oyerflowing gladness
May the happy thoughts of Christina
and the kind wishes then spoken no
pass away until the whole earth.echoe
with the notes of the first Christina
carol and until Jesus rules in tn