Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-11


West Presbyterian Church was
crowded TO its utmost capacity last
evening by an audience assembled TO
see and hear the interesting exercises
which celebrated Children's Day and
which consisted principally Of singing
and recitations.
The pulpit was set about with pots
OF nodding daisies aud palms the dec
orations around the church were cf
vines. and flags
Mest Church Orchestra, conducted
by Charles NJ. Banks, accompanied
the hymns sung by the choir and
Sunday school and played the march
while the scholars entered the church
and took the front pews reserved for
them.
The exercises opened with the hymn
Meath the Banner OF Gods Love, -
followed by prayer by the pastor, Rev.
Alexander Alison, Jr. Frank Shep-
herd, superintendent, led the respon-
sive reading from Isaiah. Miss Ethel
Field, little miss Of the Primary
Department recited very prettily, pre-
ceding the hymn, Sunshine, % sung
by the Primary Department.. An
amusing and charming little exercise
called The Toadstool, " was reoited
by 6 tiny girls dressed in white frocks
and carrying pink sunshades. The
hymn 'Children's Day, " was followed
by solo by Miss Allen.
When John Sparhawk Of Philadel-
phia' the speaker of the evening, was
introduced, Mr.. Shepherd said he had
addressed them once before, on the
occasion of the 32d anniversary cele-
bratlon in November, 1900. "Pur-
pose' was the subject Of his speech.
lie said that the purpose 10 help some
body every day Will strengthen all life ;
that no one is too weak or too poor to
serve his fellows in some way. "Keep
alive, he said; you're no good
deadi keep alive with a purpose in
your hearts. Life is not a bivouac,
but a march. lt is part Of the eternal
purpose that We all go about doing
good. " A selection by the choir and
orchestra followed.
Rev. Alexander Alison, Jr., pastor
ot the church for exactly one year,
spoke briefly concerning his first year
with the church, which, be said, had
been the happlest year of his life. He
said the school had been striving for a
membership of LOCO and an Offering Of
500. The financial aim had been real
ized, but not the membership. He
said that West would be clad to well
come some Of the 10000 children in
Wilmington who do not attend Sun
day y-schools. He also spoke of the
mission fund established Is years ago
for the maintenance of Sunday-schools
In isolated parts Of the country. The
a ntsr 4 a.. !
to this fund The intermezzo from
"Cavalleria Rustioanan was played
by the orchestra while the ushers
gathered the Offering, followed by the
hymn, Swell the Chorus. "
A beautiful exercise called "A Chain
Of Love, " was performed by about IA
children. A part of them were
Birds' and sang a little song called
"Chirp. The Flowers approached
from the rear Of the church; these
we're small maidens in white frocks.
bearing wreaths of crimson roses they
formed a half circle on the pulpit and
sang flower song, 1.-THE Daisy
Chain. Little girls In white 'frocks,
deoked with daisies, their hair tied
with yellow ribbons and bearing a
daisy chain, also approached from the
rear and sang daisy song in the rul-
pit. After an ensemble song, Beau
tiful Day, they marched from the
pulpit
The anthem, Praise the Lord, -
preceded the henediction, pronounced
by Rev. Alexander Alison, Jr,
The children. all of whom recited
distinctly and sang in beautiful ac-
cord, were trained by Miss Grace
Baird and Miss Helen Springer.
OBSERVANCE AT GRACE.
Children's Day was observed in an
| appropriate manner at Grace NJ. E.
/ Church, the exercises being held nj
1870 O'Clock ir the morning. The
primary school, in charge Of Mrs.
William Ii. Morris; tho Junior Ed.
worth League, in charge of Miss
Rachel Rowland, and the Junior Sun
day school, in charge Of Mrs. Clarence
Robb, took part, Miss Elda Idle direct
ing the music, A fine programme was
given by the school, accompanied by
the Sunday school orchestra. An in
teresting musical programme was also
given ct night.
FIRST rREsBYrERTAN.
In the First Presbyterian Church
the programme previously announced
was followed, and Rev. George r..
Mason, pastor-elect of the church,
made brief address. Similar services
were also held in Asbury NJ h., st.
Paul NJ. f., Bethany Baptist, baird
Memorial Mission East Lake IA. h. ,
First Nj. P, Hanover Presbyterian,
Madeley M. E., North Baptist, Wesley
NJ, E., and several other churches.
The nubenzer suit.
Argument will be completed in
Dover on lima 9th and Oafh a. -.