Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-07-13
SABBATH SCHOOL cELERRATEoSl
AT SaEPHERDSTowN.


vas dispensed with. and. As we think. mtre
rational plan adopted. Scarcely had the sun
pided the Eastern hills, ere the town was aronted
~ he merry peas Of the "Chufch going beif.'
By g o'clock, crowds Of neatly dressed childfsn.
with smiling and happy faces, were seen weld
inc their way, with rapid pace, towards their fe-s
soeciive school rooms At o'clock, they WIRE
formed in general Procession. al The eastern e1-
ltremily OF GerDan street, 10 The immediate VI
lcinily OF Tie German Reformed and Lnthefan
ichufches. Here The scene became truly l4ie-
resting Each School was marshalled nHdefiiIs4
lown sunefiniendeais and Teachers. and desiSpa-
ftsd by reat and appropriate banners. Ia ffent
was, The Chief Matshal. Immediately Succeeded
by the Reverend Clergy and Reader Of the Ilec-
Ilara4fon Of Independence. Next came. abe
shepheftaown Band, giving life and animation
10 ihe whole scene BY the ihFiliing and spirit.
Stirring strains Of their music. The first Schpo,
being The oldestiIwas that belonging to the Ger
imam Reformed Church. Connected with ths
\ School were two banners--the design Of the kfsi
was church sietple, surrounded with trees 10
1 tbs back ground female figure IS looking d9wn
Ion chila-in her hand she holds scroll 9Th
This inscription. 'tRenember thy Creator in%he
days Of thy youth.'f The child has book. fnd
is looking up inip Tie face Of the teacher as 10
The act Or asking question. The "a bore upon
It's. front ihe representation Of Sunday Scdool
Room The scholars are engaged i9s the e<eI-
lcises OF the SCHOOL, On The reverse Sf this aan-
lner was an angelic figure with . scroll, be5fing
for its inscription, OF such is the Kingdoia Of
SHesven."
Nerl. came ihe Episcopal and Presbyterian
Schools, preceded by a large and appropriate
banner. The design il dove, bearing ia her
mouth scroll. with the motto, "He only Is 9
freeman, whom The Truth makes free" lmme.
d5ately 3enealh this is table or which is large
bible thrown omen.
After this, came the Sabbath School belonging
TO the Methodist Episcopal Church AZ The bead
OF this was -botne a. neat banner. having on one
side the representation of a large bible OPENED
IarSt Luke's Gospel, VIII chapter, and slcr-
cled by the motto, THY light Is my lite.'r On
The o,her, is'a Sunday Schnol sfeuP standing 40
, front ola plain Church edfce.
Immediatelyl succeeding this; was the Lathe
ran School. Accompanying il~were three ban.
ners The first, was large wreath adorned
with flowers and carried 10 front Of blble class
On one side was the Inscription, Search Ibs
Scriptures :" On he reverse Study The bible
I The second, was hue representation Of the Sa.
vicur on ths Mount He is presented in stand
. ing posture resting on pastoral crook In iht
back ground is an angel handing down scroi
on which is inscribed "The Gospeln Abovs
aud below Isl that 6neand appropriate i5scrip
! Ilon, 'sHow beautiful upon the mountains arr
!. the fee, Of him that bHngeth good lGings.n Thi
banner dis played much taste both 10 its design
and execution. The third, was large wreaii
! adorned with hoTers, bearing the simple motto
, Equality an6 Union" The banners were al
neatly decorated by the LADIES with well selected
: natural flowets. Next came the citizens ant
. strangers bringing up lhe rear. Ia this orde
they moved through the town in the direction Q
: lSwearngen's grove, retreat fsvorsbly known
: Tor many years. The scene here was OF The mos
sublime and imposing character. The grow,
: had been fitted ur in an inviting maEneri dis
: lpayng the admirable taste and public split o
The ladies' who are never behind hand in matter
: @@isSs1f MS Qf various kind
, liar ito those usually used AT baibacues. &c &
: as q prevent any disorder among the Children
G over these we're thrown several arches whicl
: were besuiifdlly adorned with flowers, exc
greens. &c Conycnieni seats had been nroside5
and arranged in an eligible par: Of lie trov
/ around the Speakers stand. This latter was a!
4 lso adorned with an arch ornamenled.
v Nature hasldone much for this spot Situate,
E On an elevated bank ef The Potomac, itcom
4 nands perhaps as fine a view OF this river a
/ can be had All ANY other point. Above for NOR
than two miles there is presented an unfafile,
and ehrystal Surface --lhence fetching 4 swee.
, land in something resembling a:pennsula, ant
/ silently urging ON its widening way, al last /
seems 10 be lost among The hills and mountain.
below. The whole is sufficiently relieved b,
high lapds, cultivated fields, groves, &c on boll
, sides Of The river.
spot thus endowed hy nature and orna
menIed By art, could not be devoid Of Interest
under any circumstances, especially associated
-esil is with lhc earliest "Reminiscences or The
country. II Is said that The FIRST preaching evei
, done BY one dfiae churches already menaoned
"A in this section, was in this grove morN Thar
half century ago. II formerly belonged IL
one Of them who in the dark period Of OH Re!
Evolutionary struggle, vas found suhjrcling hinl
|; self 10 the Tiepfs Of the camp and thedaoEAfs oi
The battle Geld, in defence Of the rights Gilman.
Such circumstances as these must ever haflov
ia ia the remembrance Of those who visit H. ~.
But now there was an interest," connected with il
not usually fell. The avenues leadtuE 10 il wer
lhronged with spectators, and crowded with Chill.
dfen. In few moments The LATER, 10 the.num.
Der Of 500 and upR ards, we're comfonablg seat,
ed, and IN the almost o.deJ awaiting the farlheS
proceedings pf the day. II is supposed than
there we're neatly 1000 persons on the ground.
The writer Of this imperfect sketch has selhof;
Experienced sensations similar 10 those whick
Thrilled his bosom on that occasion Tie sound
Of martial music schning through the Spreading
branches Of majestic oaks already rendered te-
Enerabe by age, and re-echeed BY the nsxhbor;
ing hills aud yallies The remembrance ef he cir
cumslaRces which have attached lasting iateresi
40 the Fourth qf July and The smiling connienans
lees Of the chiIdfen, presenting To lively lmagi,
nation our ccunHy's rainbow oG promise pro;
dueed a strangely Pleasing yet melancholy ef.
feet beyond the power OF description. :.
| As soon as thescrowd became sufirientlt com
posed, ferveni prayer was offered up ia behalf
Of Sabbath Schools, and Of our common eoun-
try, BY The ReF. hr. PlolDer of ~ Methods, E:
Church. Asler which, the Declaration Il Inde-
lpendence wasleGectivel5 read by Harris Towner}
Esq. The Rev.AJ. NJ ReiIey inen gave a short
address on the utility % Sabbath schsais. He
was succeededSby The Rev. air. PIolnes. v no de-
sean.ed eioquenlly onthe character of1rne libef=
", showing fofcihly '.that he only is 4 freeman.
whom The truth makes free y The Rev. Mr.
Andfews Of The Episcopal Church followed wiik
an appropriate address, 10 which he presented
some importahi statistics showing The utility d
Sabbath Schools Re spoke Of The scene as
truly interesting, iaad oitw a ferciole contrast
with what had arrested his tueniionl IN other
Lands, showing clearly The beneficial snaaeuee Of
The Gospel,
The distribu,iua Of Refreshments followed,
aud the exercises al The ground elossa with J.
shor, address 10 The children, b. the Rey Mr..
Piotner. The Procession was sgain famed )