The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-04-24
VOL. IX.---N0. 44S.
SINGING ON DANCING BRANCH.

SINGING ON DANCING BRANCH.
Some time since was solicited by an old
acquaintance to attend Singing in Monroe
county, at the "Mcspadden School House."
on Dancing Branch, where my solicitor in
formed me a regular monthly Singing was
kept up by the well disciplined and enter
prising people of that neighborhood and vi.
onity. On Saturday last it was either part
of my fortune or misfortune to be there. The
evening was somewhat unpleasant, because
of the clustering winds and flying clouds that
ioated 10 the elements above. But on my
arrival found many of the youths of both
sexes assembled. The house was crowded
with the young the gay and the beautiful, all
of whom were equally cheerful as harmless
birds assembled to sing IN the gentle zephyrs
of summers morn. Being spectator only.
and destitute of musical faculties and conse.
quently on.participant in the exercises Of
the day. had nothing to do but to look on
and listen, which | did with more delight
than a thousand tongues could tell in hun
dred years. Mr.. Magill, worthy gentleman.
conducted the singing Every thing was car
ried on with decency and in order. None Of
the inproprieties so common on such occa-
sions were there to be seen. All behaved as
if aware that others were criticising on their
department. 1t is not good thing to sx.
aggerate Or to heap encomiums on improper
objects, no, should we eulogise where eulogy
is undue. for praise makes proud its object;
yet venture to say few neighborhoods can
now be found N all our country able TO meas
ure arms with BANGING Branch in the way OF
vocal music, thing so useful in every coun-
try. and almost essential to our happiness.
Now, wish to notice here that the Nc
Spadden neighborhpod, or Dancing Branch
as it is usually called, Is neighborhood noted
for the excellency Of Its morals the harmony
OF its societies and the quietude of it's people
"a neighborhood Of which It is often said
none can be found to excel it, in Tennessee
or any Of her sister States. If this be so, the
reasonable conclusion drawn from the premi-
ses is, there must be reason why it is so,
since effect and cause are inseparably con-
nected and one cannot exist without the
other. It is, therefore, good thing that we
should notice effects, and If they are found
to be good learn their causes and make them
known to all the world as fast as means may
offer us opportunity. Now know it would
be vain for one like me to undertake to revo-
utionize a world like this, and therefore do
not intend to do it. Yet, it is not vain that
should speak truth, and tell what think
to be the reason of the difference between
that neighborhood, in moral point, and
many Others Of equal advantages and why IL
is that they are happy and meet their friends
with cheerful countenances, while others are
out of humor, down cast and perplexed.--
The reason think is quite obvious to every
one of ordinary observation. The people
there give attention to every thing that has
tendency to improve the mind or refine the
morals. They attend with promptness to ss-
cred singings, sabbath schools, prayer meet.
ings, DC, all of which are almost indispensa-
BILE to the happiness, prosperity, welfare and
safety of people They think it no hard
task to do the will of their master. They
go to church-they listen to the language Of
wisdom. and hear the voice of warning, and
this lie the reason Of the difference.
AN OBSERVER.
Ifc N;ou ro 4or;I eIb 1877