The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-07-12
SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION.
THE DAY.

! THE DAY.
On the Fourth of July, was witnesses
the first attempt at general celebration b,
the children belonging to the various Sab
bath Schools of St. Paul, ever made in th
city.
The day was delightful, and early in tn,
morning there might have been seen lads OF
horseback, dressed in white pants and shir
with blue scarf hanging over their shoul
fders, pp0aratory to acting as escorts to th'
young misses, who were congregating by
hundreds at the First Presby terian Church
THE PROCESSION.
| At halfpast nine the prJccssionwas form
ed in the order, and took up the line of march
as indicated in the programme previously
published, under the direction of Parker Paine
Esq, Marshal of the day.
The various schools were fully represented
each scholar wearing badge with an appro-
pirate motto, some on foot and others in car
riages. The girls were dressed in white
many of them with wreaths of flowers and
eyergreens upon their heads. Each school,
marching by itself, carried banners with the
name of the school and various inscriptions
upon them among which we noticed Gre
member thy Creator in the Days of thy
YOUTH" "Keep Holy the Sabbath" "Thy
Word is Lamp to my Feet" "Sunday
Scholastic Hope of the Church, the Pillar
Of the State" &c. The lads on horseback,
under the direction of Messrs. Hoffman and
Lindsey, each bore a small banner inscribed
"Young Minnesota-Soyereigns of 1852
The procession was nearly half mile in
length-many of our principal citizens with
their families falling into the rear of it in
their carriages.
AT THE GROVE.
Arrived at the Grove, the children were
seated in the various places assigned each
school, and the Marshal Of the day, after
comllimenting them upon their beautiful ap-
pearance and good behavior during tie
march, delivered them over to the Rev. A.
NJ. Torbet, the President of the Day, upon
whose announcement the order of exercises
was gone through with, as follows:
Singing of the "Jubilee," by select choir
Of young ladies and misses, led by Mr.
Couplin.
Prayer by Rev. NJ Black, of the 1st
Presby terian Church.
Reading Declaration Of Independence by
Rey a. NJ. Torbet.
Singing of National Air by all present.
An address was to have been delivered by
the Rev. Mr.. Neill, but, as will be seen by
the following interesting letter which was
read by Mr.. Levering at this time, he was
unable to attend
Sr. PAUL, July 4.
To tie Saa>7ay S,hooy Ctil7ran Of 81. Pail.
Young Friends Last week I had made
my arrangements to participate with you in
your pleasant celebration of to-day and to
become boy once more.
But this week not only has body my been
weak in consequence # a severe cold, but a
heavy grief weighs down my heart.
Within day or two the intelligence has
reached me of the departure Of my mothers
spirit to that happy land" of which one
of your songs doth speak, andtis consonant
with my feelings to avoid q large assembly on.
this national holiday
By her whose departure ! mourn, was
early sent to Sunday school, and next to
love of God she inculcated love of country.
AS this is the fourth day of July, [ will
mention an incident suggested by the men
ton Of my mother. When she was little
girl, like many of those who were in the pro-
cession to-day, she was one day in the pre-
sence of that great, good man, Washington.
Having taken her into his lap he patted her
upon the head and inquired her name. W hen
told that it was Martha, he expressed him
self with pleasure, for that, he said, was the
name of his wife, and then taking glass of
wine, as customary with the best gentlemen
of those days, he drank her health.
Next to TIE memory of the God-Man, who
said Suffer little children to come unto
me-" treasure his, who when a b would
not tell lie, and when man was not only
" first in war;" but first in peace"
Hoping thatnothing may mar the pleasure
of the day, and that influenced by the Spirit
you may become ornaments to the state, and
" burning and shining light" in the church,
Believe me
Your friend,
E. D. NELL.