The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-12
FOR THE INDEPENDENT PRESS
The Celebration of the Sabbath Schools
at Republican Church, July 25.


MrsSrS. Editors We were of the for
tunatc number who attended this cccbra-
ton, and have been long and anxiouslv
looking for something in the papers in re-
gard to it. The proceedings were of an
interesting character, whether the numbers
present, the addresses delivered, the s,1mp-
tuou5 barbccucl dinner prepared, or the
subject matter itself Of the occasion, be
considered and in the absence of any ;hinc
from those who have the first right TO spea
on the subject through the press, we hope it
will not be thought olicious to say some
thing oursclf
The day-July 25-was a beautiful one;
and 1t was at season of the year when
every body--mcn. Of leisure or labor-who
had mind so to do, could go up to the
feast-for, indeed, feast it was, to the BODY
as we'll as to the soul and almost every
body in that entire section of the District
and the adjoing District of Edgcfcld, and
from many other parts, did 80 up, until the
assembly was increased into n multitude
such as VIC have seldom seen collected to-
gcthcr on any public occasion. A suitable
stand and seats had been prepared outside
of the church, and at about II o'clock the
services began by very appropriate sermon
preached by the Rev. Mr.. Zimmerman, who
was followed by DR.. Wicr of Mount Car
nell, and Thos Thomson, Esq, of ALbc-
vile, in addrcsscs--or rather scrmons-
upon subjects cmincntly appropriate to the
occasion. The Bible-thc Sunday School
tile latter as nursery Of piety-thc in
!lncncc of the teachings Of the former upon
tho moral and intellectual character of the
rising generation, were the themes from
which these gentlemen instructed and de-
lighted, for about Il half an hour each, the
very large, attentive and intelligent audi
cncc assembled. Dinner was then discus-
sed in very quiet and orderly way until
all out Of that vast multitude had been
scrvcd-which being done, the congregation
repaired TO the stand to listen to another
address from II. A. Jones, Esq, who as
cended the stand and was proceeding in the
train Of thought suggested by the fore
moons exercises, when, to the regret of him
self and the disappointment of those assem-
bled, shower of rain which then came m,
arrested his discourse.
Thus ended the exercises of the day. A
few reflections, and we close. First-aLout.
Sabbath Schools. These schools arc now
attracting considerable attention, and to the
credit of Our people be it said. In our vii
lagos, and in several sections of the coun-
try, large numbers of the children of all
denominations meet every Sabbath, at the
appointed places of worship, and go through
the regular exercises of the Sabbath school,
What must be the effect upon the future
character of the rising generation from this
sort OF training, there is, of course, no pre-
else telling; but that the effect will be whole
some in the highest degree, morally and
intellectually, there can be no sort of doubt
Go on, then, we would say to parents,
whether religious or not, and bring up your
children under the influences of Sabbath
schools. Bring them up "in tho nurture
and admonition Of the Lord"-"Train
them up in the way they should go, and when
they are old they will not depart from it,"
To do this, will be better for them-wilI be
better for yourselves. A child thus brought
up, never fails to be useful citizen and a
moral man.
A word as to the place where this ccle-
bration was had. Republican church is
situated in the extreme South East corner
of tho District, in the section of country
more familiarly known as aThc Range" or
"The Dark Corner" We are unable to say
whence these names, or how they ever
come to be applied to that section. But
whatever may have been their past sicnifi-
cation he wonld be most egrcgriously mis-.
taken, who would suppose now that the citi-
zens OF that section were dark, either NOR
ally or intellectually. They arc anything
but dark. On the contrary, it is a section
of light, taking for our standard of iudg
meht, the quiet, peaceable, orderly conduct
Of the large and intelligent audience Assem-
bIed there on the .25tb. That a people thus
engaged-promoting Sabbath schools, and
coming up in such inultitudcs with their
beautiful and most elegantly wrought ban
ners---.each having upon them appropriate
and significant deyices-all pointing to the
Bibfo-lthe Sabbath the I6stitnhoSs If tbo