Thibodaux minerva., 1853-07-09
Fourth of JuIy-.-Sundav School, Etc.

Fourth of July---sunday School, Etc.
This ever apxiously looked for and memorable
day has come, and is now numbered with those
that have past. At quite an early hour on Mon
day morning last, the 4th inst, the heavens were
oercast with black and portentious clouds, and
the rain soon commenced descending in copiots
quantities until near the hour of noon, at which
time, faint prospects and ardent hopes of a
| "clear up" began to be manifested, and were
soon realized. Notwithstanding the unpropitious
appearance of things conducive to conviyiality,
pleasure, and patriotism, the day was ushered in
by the discharge of deep mouthed guns and small
arms, on the part of the adult population, and
Chinese frc-crackers on that of the juvenile,
and the general sentiment of all classes-not
even excepting the cherished objects of Mrs. Fl.
Beecher Stoves sympathy, the negroes-was
amor pat,4ce, and respect for the day that de-
clarcd Columbia to be free and independent.
From the general gloomy appearance of the
day, there was no concert Of action on the part
of our citizens with view to it's celebration
but, on the contrary all were left free to act as
best suited their peculiar views and tastes No
particular fraternity chose to signalize itself
by an exhibition or display of mock patriotism.
No. but in the midst of the seeming quiet-one
undisturbcd by the interposition of any unpleas-
ant eyent-the most profound respect was
shown towards that day; one which, above all
others, should long remain green in the remcm-
brance of all true Americans or lovers Of Liberty.
Each and all the merchants closed their stores
and places Of business, and we could not but
admire the patriotic feelings shown in this par
ticular by our European friends engaged in mer-
camille pursuits in this place. So
Unusual harmony appeared to have reigned
among all classes except few with whom it
is q characteristic habit to indulge, perhaps too
freely, at the &c Fount of Bacchus;" but this,
"Son," as we are, We are disposed to pardon,
although not at all necessary, in our estimation,
in rendering respect to our national Sabbath.
At about eleven o'clock Of the morning, the rain
had ceased the sky was cloudless, but the day
was warm, sultry and oppressive. Surrounding
appearances indicated continuance of propi-
tious weather during the remainder of the day.
This happy 'clear up gave to all who chose,
the opportunity of visiting the Methodist Epis-
eopal Church, where scenes of the most thrilling
interest were displayed by the Sabbath School
children of that church, under the supervision
Of its energetic, untiring, and pious pastor.
We were not present ut the church. on the oc-
casion above alluded to, but owe our knowledge
Of it to friend, to whose courtesy we are
much indebted for many interesting particulars,
some Of which, though we confess our inability
to do justice to the stb5ect We shall endeavor
to enumcrate in part only, as the tedium
would be too great and tie space that it would
require equally so, to give in detail the vari
Gus exercises. We shall only alludc to that in
which two charming and interesting young girls
took part, which was deeply interesting and to
the following effect: %
The theme, which was in form of a dialogue,
represented a Missionary's daughter in some far
off part of the semi-civilzed world in close con-
versation with young and untutorcd daughter
of the heather land. Both the young ladies,
Misses MCKEE and Gn1sAMoRE were most per-
feet in their parts and delivery. The former
assumed the character of the Missionarys
Daughter, and the latter, that of the Heather
Girl. They are represented as having acciden-
tally met, and the heathen girl asks questions
in reference to the missonary's daughter, where
she is from, and for what purpose she visits the
heathen country. All of which questions are
most satisfactorily answered. The heathen girl
then wishes to know who, and what is God;
whether he dwells alone, ETC., etc. In answer
to these questions, the language used by Miss
Mckee was not only becoming, but there was an
appropriateness in its delivery, ixedness in
attitude of person, apprising the audience of her
own consciousness Of superiority over the poor
heathen girl, while at the same time she mani
tests an inimitable familiarity associated with a
sufficient dignity to prevent an abuse of that fa-
miliarity. The dialogue closed by the heather
girl desiring to learn how to pray, whereupon,
she knelt with her spiritual benefactress and re-
peated the Lords Prayer after her, in detached
portions.
The Sabbath School exercises commenced at
II o'clock, A. NJ, and adjourned at half past
II, to meet again at o'clock in the afternoon.
The church was filed on both occasions by an
intelligent and admiring concourse of ladies and
gentlemen, many of whom were from distance
1t is the intention Of the Rev. Mr.. Harp to re-
assemble his school in few months, when he
hopes to have his scholars better prepared to
acquit themselves than they were on this, the
FIRST occasion. The scholars had only been in
process Of training for the exercises about two
weeks, and some of them were absent from
illness. The school numbers between sixty and
seventy scholars, and is but fifteen months since
It's first organization, during which time it has |
oeen under the supervision Of Rev. Mr. Harp;
,ut at present he has fifteen assistant teachers.
To this Sunday school there is attached library
# three hundred volumes A gentleman in the |
'icinity has most generously presented the school
With library case, and for the unpaid books it |
contains collection was made ON the occasion in
question, when a very liberal amount was OBJ |
aimed. Thanks are due Mr.. J. C. Ragan and |