The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-06-22
Junior Department Closing Exercises
Zion Educational Institutions
An Evening Long to be Remembered
&C. B. W.

The Pageant representing the history and de-
velopment of Zion, given in Shiloh Tabernacle
on Friday Evening, June T. by the Junior De-
partment Of Zion Educational Institutions, was
simply wonderful - wonderful in conception
and wonderful in execution.
| Nothing so elaborate has ever before been
seen in Zion City in connection with any school
exercises. The greater portion OF 1,OOO chill
dren took part, and yet every detail was pre-
sented so wildly, simply and beautifully that
! the audience caught the meaning instantly.
although the program lasted from Z 80 p. m.
until nearly midnight, very few people left and
not once did the interest lag.
The program throughout breathed the spirit
Of Zion. It was simply vast rehearsal Of those
things which the children had learned from
their babyhood = things born and bred into
them, and which are part of their very being.
Practically every part Of the program was
original having been composed and arranged
especially for the occasion by the various
teachers and others
The training shown by the pupils even the
smallest children, was remarkable. From be-
ginning to end, not break marred the exer-
cises Everything progressed with pleasing
exactness and rapidity.
Nothing could have exceeded the vim and
boundless enthusiasm with which the children
threw themselves into every part. The hearty
singing seemed like foretaste Of heaven.
! Very few people can form the slightest con-
ception Of the immense amount of detail work
required in planning and carrying out pro-
gram of this kind AS the General Overseer re-
marked, Enough paraphernalia was assem-
bled for the occasion to fill freight car" 1t
could not have been done without organization
The boys and girls collected and prepared
vast amount of the material, and helped large
ly in perfecting the arrangements under the
direction of their teachers.
In honor Of National Flag Day, the interior
of the Tabernacle was fittingly decorated with
American flags.
The theme Of the program was as follows:
! Zion in Prophecy.
/ The conception of Zion
! The Establishment Of Zion City
The Departments Of Zion.
The Destiny Of Zion
After the Invocation, the children marched
IN, keeping perfect step to the music of the
piano. Headed by the Kindergarten tots, the
eight grades Of the Junior Department, one af-
ter another ascended the platform from either
side in single file and took their places in the
choir and side galleries.
Vice President Darms read nine verses of the
One Hundred and Nineteenth Psalm:
how love Thy law! 1t is my meditation all
the day.
Thou through Thy commandments hast made
| me wiser than mine enemies: for they with
me-
have more understanding than all my teachers:
| for Thy testimonies my meditation.
l understand more than the ancients, because I
| keep Thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way,
| that l might keep Thy Word
I have not departed from Thy judgments: for
| Thou hast taught
| How sweet are Thy words unto my taste yea,
sweeter than honey to my mouth
Through Thy precepts get understanding: there
| fore hate every false way.
| Thy Word is lamp unto my feet and light
| unto my path.
| After prayer by the Vice President, the en-
tire school joined heartily in singing Gamer
| ica''