The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-04-07
LOCAL MATTERS.

ID
y. eaock Yesterday morning. the frame building at
uo Nortneast corner of 18th and Franklin streets,
occupied by Mr. WIN. A. Bell as a grocery store,
nnu .ne small building in rear, occupied by Mr.. G..
usses a. granary, were discovered to be on fire.
s sua ,ne alarm given The Liberty boys, on see.
Ing tne danger to the neighborhood, which Is built
uP WIFE saaaA frame houses, haStened to the scene
, WEI .ner apparatus, and by almost superhuman
eAe,.ions, prevented the spread of the fiames and
nnaiiy extinguished them. but not until Mr. Bells
nouse was completely gutsed Mr.. Gates and Mr.
broadous were sleeping over Mr.. Bells store and
nao 10 escape in their night clothes, Mr. Gates
Ieasihg ABOUT SlO0 in bank notes in the room
which were destroyed Mr.. Bell had an Insurance
IN the Virginia Fire and Marine office of $1,000
whicn VIII nearly cover his losses Mr. Gates had
no insurance. His loss is about $500 The fire
was the work of an incendiary.
Fire in Henrico.-A few days since the kitchen
OF Mr. archibald Blair in Henrico, took fire from
SPARKS from the chimney, and was burned to the
ground The flames spread to the stable and corn
house and consumed both those buildings. Loss
$500. No''
Tall Julep.-Last Saturday morning we received
mammoth julep dressed with hailed Ice and deco
about the taest of its kind seen in these capes for
many years. The beverage came from the Co
lumbian bar room, and by imbibing it some of our
poor friends were made to feel as rich as Crosses
while under its effects.
The Theatre opens tonight with rich programme.
such as is rarely offered to q play going public
Miss Agnes Robertson, the fairy star whose rem.
tion as an actress is known throughout this conn.
try and Europe. is to appear in three amusino
pieces written for herself, in all of which she s
without rival; and Mr.. Jefferson, the popular ac-
tor rs TO perform parts peculiarly adapted to his
original style of acting These two great favortes
are to be supported by corps of ladies and gen
tlemen who have won the applause of pIay-poers
wherever they have appeared With such attrac.
tons, may not the new management reasonably
Ynpn larn and foohsa L. x,
not our play-goers prove by their patronage that
they appreciate the efforts being made to instruct
and amuse themf If the present season proves
successful, we feel assured that Messrs Kunkel g.
upon attraction in future, until the Richmond thea
tire becomes the most fashionable place of resort
in the Old Dominion.
The Sabbath School Coareat;on--F;fdau after.
noon.-The Convention met at p M, and con.
sidered briefly the duties of teachers The Report
OF the Committee OF Arrangements, embracing
plans and appointments was presented, discussed
and adopted. A proposition to hold grand mass
meeting on the Capital Square, Sunday afternoon
was objected to on the score of health of the chill
oren, and the uncertain weather of the season.
The subject of parental instruction involving the
question can Sabbath Schools be substituted for
parental instruction, was then taken ND and dis.
oussed. Mr.. Hoge said that if one or the other
was to be set aside, he should unquestionably say
let the Sabbath School go by the board The
other speakers concurred in this sentiment. Mr.
Watkins of Prince Edward, deplored tae indiffer
ence of many parents to what their children learn
at Sabbath Schools. Adjourned.
On Friday night, large audience assembled to
hear addresses. Rev. Mr.. Pendleton spoke in he
half of the American Sunday School Union-its
catholic basis, usefulness of its publications, mis-.
sonary operations in destitute parts of our coun.
try, &c.
He was followed by Rev. Mr.. Westhrool -bo
presented considerations to awake new zeal in the
cause of Sabbath Schools-such as the mental
activity of our juvenile population vast extent of
our country freedom, of our elective franchise,
preVaience OF a corrupt exciting literature, &c.
Rev. Mr. Bell next Spoke upon the divine com
mands and precepts OF our Saviour bearing upon
this subject.
Saturday Morning The Convention met at 10
O'Clock, ano after some further discussion of pa
ren.s hu hence, passed to the consideration OF In
fant Sabbath Schools
Dr. Howell expressed fear that the minds of
the yoang would be too much stimulated and over.
WORKED In such schools. He charged that those
VINO have control of such schools are too often
such rs have no children themselves
Mr.. D. B. Martin inquired whether DIR. Howelrs
oDIection was not rather aimed at infant schools
that assemble every day, than at those which meet
once week and for only an hour.
Mr. evans Illustrated by facts the usefulness of
infant schools, in laying early and permanently the
foxndations of Religious education.
rev Mr Street related an incident that occur
reo at NlaEara-several men lost their lives in
consequence of having gone to sleep in their boat
oelns preetpitated over the Falls-there was
tIme wh sn an infants voice might have awakened
them, N infants arm might have saved them-he
was II ! favor of taking the young while they were
yet n smooth water.
III, Cross considered the Infant Scool of vast
I'M portance to those who have no religious instruc
y on at home.
Rev. Mr.. Read said that the question of over
taxing children was left out of view, when the
dancing school was under consideration
Dr.. Burrows thought that High Ding Diddle
and the Cow jumping over the Moon" called fer as
great stretch of the young mind as the lessons
of the Infant School-he thought the story of Jc-
seph as good for children as -four and twenty
blackbirds made into pie" and other Mother
Goose melodies.
MIR. Kepier said children think early and much
upon religious subjects-his own children had of
ten profounded to him questions involving the
deepest subjects of Theology
The Convention next passed % the considera-
tons of Sabbath Scheei Faf the oral instruction of
servants.
DR.. q. w. Jones stated that he had school at
St. James of 230 scholars, and Bible Glass rang
!! ing from 80 to so adults.
Mr.. - stated that there Ii similar school
at Charlottesville, cohddcted by Professors Davis
! and Minor students for the Ministry at the Uni
versity.
/ A list was presented, containing the names of
| many leading citizens of Richmond, and giving
their consent to the oral ihstfucton of their SER
/ wants in Sshbate Schools
Dr.. Gaines of Hanover being in the chair was
called upon to give an account of his operations
| in the instruction of his servants. He made q
deeply interesting statement, showing that 1t had
been his practice for five years tn ssSemole all his
servants on Sabbath meEning and give them re
ligous instruction; at the same hour his lady as
semhaeS the little colored children in an infant
class, and the exercises are concluded by uniting
the two schools In one assembly for worship thus
bringing together bis whole plantation. He stated
the happy effects of his system, and declared his
| deep conviction that such course would, where
ever adopted by masters, exert a most beneficial
| influence upon the condition of both master and
slave and go far towards ailaying the excitemen,
prevailing in our country In this connection
Mr.. Murkland related several pleasing instances
| Of piety and fidelity among the black. In Bruins
wick county, Virginia, and stated the happy and
peaceful influence of his ten years labor amone
| them In the West indies
Mr.. James Thomas, Jr. felt a desp interest Ir
the subject as his life and Iabors in this behalf had
testificd-every master had right to instruct hi,
own servants If IL was done In his family but the
right under tho law TO assemble the servants 81
| others for this purpose was not so clear 90 hi.
| mind. five can have Sabbath Schools, said he
| let MS know It.
Rev. Mr. Moore had been satisfied by the iuyes
tgations and assertions of legal gentlemen of III.
highest respectahiiiy, that there was no objection
| to eral instruction In this way The subject Law