EXTRACTS FROM THE LETTERS OF CHURCH-SCHOOL TEACHERS.
Thanksgiving was a busy day with us. My children had been doing some real missionary work previous to this occasion, and were naturally ready to participate in our proposed dinner with all the impulsive zeal of their years. They assembled in our schoolroom at nine o’clock, all laden with well-filled baskets and lunch boxes, which were deposited upon the owners’ desks. After carefully marking each one’s basket, the children were dismissed with instructions to return promptly at 12:45, accompanied by their invited guests. We were kindly granted the use of a very pleasant room (No. 17 in the College), and in this we spread the five tables used. Each table was decorated with evergreen, potted plants, cut flowers, and dainty paper napkins. There were covers for about fifty guests. As we opened basket after basket in the course of the table setting, we could but note the interest shown by the mothers in the preparation of the many dainty, yet healthful dishes, and as the children, each accompanied by a guest, marched into the dining-room, there seemed nothing wanting to complete the joy of the occasion. Each child of the school was seated beside his guest, and tendered those little services which do so much toward making a stranger “at home” in the midst of strange surroundings. The waiters were five of the older members of the school. The first course was soup, followed by a variety of cold foods, and so liberally had the parents provided for the tables, that, upon leaving, each guest was presented with a parcel of food to carry home. During the dinner hour we were favored with instrumental music, which added much to the pleasure of the occasion. The children are now looking forward with newly awakened interest to our Christmas program. The days are still warm and pleasant in Phoenix, so we thought it would be most pleasant to spend a day in the country. The children were encouraged to invite poor children or some one who would not otherwise have a pleasant day, to go with us. The parents and other members of the church entered heartily into the plan. Two large hay-racks, each drawn by four horses, besides other conveyances, carried our company to the Arizona Canal Falls. On our way we passed fields of alfalfa, young grain, and orange groves. Our party were treated to oranges. We spread tableclothes on the ground, and on them placed the dinner, to which all did ample justice. After dinner we drove to Camel-back Mountain—so named from its resemblance to a camel’s back. These mountains are treeless, steep, and rugged. They abound in cacti. Some of our number climbed the mountain, thus satisfying their desire to see what is on the other side. By this time the sun was fading from our sight, so after having spent a pleasant day with the wonderful works of God, we returned home with thankful hearts.