The American Missionary. Volume 42, No. 07, July, 1888

OUR YOUNG FOLKS

CHILDREN'S DAY AT TALLADEGA

MRS. H.S. DEFOREST

A glorious sun ushered in the 29th of April, when for the first time Children's Day was observed by the College Church. Deft fingers had adorned the white walls, the chandeliers and the rostrum, with living green, and from pulpit and organ glowed and burned the roses which blossomed in rare profusion for this happy day. Early, from every quarter, flocked the children, many with faces "black, but comely," and all in attire neat and clean. Seats reserved for their use were speedily filled, and as their voices rose in songs of praise, canary and mocking bird from swinging cages swelled the glad sound. An ascription of praise to God by the choir opened the exercises, the pastor following with appropriate Scripture and prayer, and a word as to the object of the decorations and special service—not for a picnic or celebration, but that the children might ever remember this day with solemn and peculiar interest as their very own.

After the chanting by the choir, soft and slow, of "Suffer the little children to come unto me," twenty children were presented by their parents for baptism, two of the youngest belonging to officers of the College. Parents brought two, and even three, little ones, that the man of God might place upon their foreheads the seal of their consecration, and in solemn and tender words they were reminded of the meaning and obligation of the rite.

A second exercise of unusual interest was the presentation of a Bible to each of the baptized children of the church between the ages of seven and twelve. To sixteen children, the day was thus made memorable, the giving being prefaced with fitting remarks, and the hope being expressed that during the year the new Bible might be read entirely through. One recipient on reaching home immediately fell to work, and on being remonstrated with for using his eyes too steadily, said, "This is too good a Bible to stop reading." Doubtless all were appreciated in like manner, and will be sacredly treasured.

Short and pertinent addresses, suitable to childhood, were made by chosen speakers, hymns familiar and appropriate were sung, and the benediction, pronounced by a Baptist brother, closed a service unique and unusual.

A grandmother to twenty-three children, of whom three were presented for baptism, said to the writer, "Oh! I am so happy. We never had anything like this before, and the children and parents, too, are obleeged to remember it."

RECEIPTS FOR MAY, 1888

H.W. HUBBARD, Treasurer,

56 Reade St., N.Y