The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-07-16
SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION.
PIKEviLLE, July 5, 1852.

hcieht iocal lnteTest u De worthy OI TecOru,
avail myself of your kind request and note
them down for the qualification of such Of
your readers as take pleasure in whatever
tends to improve the mind OF purify the heart,
and trust that in this little communication
! l shall not be considered as trespassing upon
space which, some might think, ought more
appropriately to be devoted to politics. The
Fourth-the cver-glorious and memorable
Fourth of July-the seventy-sixth anniversa-
ry Of American independence, has just gone
by, and, while the cities, towns, and villages
of the whole broad Union, have each, in their
own way, celebrated the return of "ireedom's
natal day." we Of "the happy valley" have for
once Joined in commcmorating it-not with
''nartial pomp" or "gay parade" but in 4 man.
ner worthy of the day and those noble patri.
OTIS who have made it immortal. We have
in our town and vicinity number of Sab
bath Schoos-latey established, it is true,
but in flourishing condition the largest and
most interesting of which is located ut Smyr-
nj, Il Church belonging to the Christian order,
about five miles above this place. The fe-
male teachers belonging to the above School,
and, believe, the lady members of that
Church generally, actuatcd by high and holy
motives, ard anxious to secure the co-opera-
tion Of the parents in their great work ty
stimulating laudablc rivalry among the chill
dren, resolved to havca sort Of Sunday School
Convention on Saturday, the Sd, the 1th fall
ing on Sunday. They had committee APP
pointed and suitable arrangements made for
celebrating the day by speeches, and pic mic
dinner for the children and spectators. The
schools in TIE different neighborhoods around
we're invited and attended in numbers. Seats
were provided in n grove near the Church,
and all being comfortably seated, the order Of
the day was read by Mr.. .B, BiIingsIy, after
which n patriotic song, and prayer by Rev.
] II. Acuf. Dr.. James d. Templcton was
then introduced and delivered u beautiful
Grafton on American Independence. lie was
followed by Col. Thos N. Frazier, in sound
and able address, appealing to the commune
ty to foster and sustain Sabbath as well as
other good Schools, as one of the chief sup
porters of civil liberty. He spoke with ami
nation of the "tmcs that tried mems SOULS"
and conjured every good citizcn-no matter
| of what party-to unite in sustaining educa-
tion as the surest means of perpctuating the
blessed inheritance bequcathcd us by tho
4 mi nf fhosn fip,os I h,yn T
would say more of both speeches. Suffice
it that they were appropriate and well receiv-
ed. Rev. J. d. Billingsly then followed in
IN address to the Sabbath School children,
and am sure they will long rembembcr his
kind and earnest appeal to bestr themselves
| while young, in order TO fill with honor to
| themselves and credit to their country the
places now occupied by their fathers. IIe
also spoke to the ladies, cheering them on in
their good work, and drawing Il beautiful
picture of its results in the future. After
the speeches the children formed procession
in double file, the girls in front, and marched,
followed in good order by ythecrowd,o another
part Of the grove, where all joined in doing
honor to the good things there prepared. OF
these there was enough and to spare, and after
partaking sumptuously, the crowd quietly dis
rersed, seemingly pleased with all the world
and especially themselves. The ladics-God
grant that their noble example may be fol-
lowed by all in our .valley-dcscrve great
credit for the manner in which every thing
was carried on, for they were the originators
Of the celebration, and we'll did they carry
out their plan Of arrangements. They have
in this laid the foundation of solid improve
ment. They have begun at the beginning.
They have put into operation = lever whose
power will increase with time, for the promo.
tion of education, virtue and happiness, and
eternity alone will show its results and bring
them their reward. have hope now that
our county, so long behind the age, will
arouse from its lethargy ard profit by the
noble example given us by the ladies. Edu-
cation and Internal Improvements go hand in
hand, and by educating our children, and
making roads giving us communication with
the rest of the world, our valley will soon
become the garden spot Of East Tennessee.
/ SEOUACIIIE.
Sorr SoAr-Kingsicy tells very good