Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-06-23
Correspondence of the Spirit of the Age.

correspondence OF the Spirit OF the Age.
cIArToNAs SeAs9b- Temperance Society
Mr.. Ed 1t was my pleasure a few days
since, WHINE banding sometime with friends
in Johnston rSgnsy, to.1And the exaz1fna-
tionof the schoorat Clayton, and also a Tenn
perance Celebration and the meeting of the
County Educational Association. Clayton
(perhaps it is well KNOWN is a village located
on the N. c. R. R. at the place we are more
familiar with as Stalling's Station. Within
a year or two this little place has grown up
wonderfully, and there is established there a
school of the first order, which is, I believe,
mostly in the patronage of the Baptist de-
nomination, as its principal, Rev. VIM. B.
Jones, is a minister of that order.
l am incompetent to give an account of
this institution that will convey. a just idea
of its merits, and I shall not attempt the emu
meration of classes nor the variety of studies,
but will merely state, that | have attended on
former occasions many similar exercises in
schools of the same and higher grade, but
have never witnessed another that afforded
meso much satisfaction, and reflected 81 much
credit on the teachers and pupils, and gave
such evident delight to patrons and even I'M
interested spectators. The success and in
terest manifested speak well for the principal
as well as for the good sense and discrimina-
ton OF the patronS-and are remarkable, as
you will agree, when [ name the fact, that
Mr.. Jones was raised within a mile and a half
OF this place. This is a step in the right di-
rection for North Carolina; encourage home
Education!
The scholars were for the most part near
ly grown young men and ladies, with a good
ly number of smaller boys and girls. The
examination of classes, which was thorough
3 and impartial, was relieved by speaking,
; reading exercises and music. The music on
!, the Piano was very good, considering that
! Gas | was told) the pupils were nearly all
beginners. We observed some very small
r girls whosang very sweetly but what pleas
n ed us most in the music line, was the perfor
mances of the singing class-which number
ed about 20 of the largest scholars, who have
been taught daily and gratuitously by Mrs
4 Jones during their hours of recreation
Q They sung by note, carrying on all the parts
+ treble. alta, tenor, and bass. Vocal music il
. a feature in school teaching that is new il
this part of the country, except where it i
IN an extra charge, and then, is an accomplish
n ment that is not accessible for boys, and
or was gratifying to see in this institution a frs
step made towards cultivating the voices a
"Cll dc III Ill " UUJ1 sexes. Inc nun
Der of pupils in this school has been constant
ly increasing, and its sixth session will ope
q understand on 10th July, when | hop
the school will receive the ample patronae
it deserves. | am convinced from all | learI
ed in reference to the school and its teacher
that he spares no pains to make it one of th
he first institutions of the kind in the State,
y. which he is nobly seconded by his accon
I'll plished lady, who brings to her aid the e.
st ~perience of ten or twelve years teaching
re. this and other States.
lid On Friday the Independent temperance
lal ciety held a Celebration. This society w
he organized about a year and a half ago al
he numbers q learn 125 members, go or 100
en- whom were present on this occasion. T
rn- grafton was delivered by a young man fc
ye- merly a pupil of this institution, Mr.. Ra
at som Gulley. His style was smooth and I
&C. etic, his defamation easy and graceful, a.
full his earnestness of feeling and language ga
ion additional force to the subject. He did Gre
'ou it to himself and his society. The class tn
sang an ode composed for the occasion
Mrs. Jones. The society is constantly
rue ceiving fresh and unlocked for names to
ed, list. Success to Temperament
3D. On the afternoon of the same day, I
ow- Johnston County Educational ASSOCIATE