Litchfield enquirer., 1859-08-25

SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL, NEW MILFORD.
 The Sunday School Festival, embracing the schools of the Episcopal, Congregational, and Methodist Churches, in connection with those invited from other parts of the town, came off on Thursday the 11th of August, under the direction of Chief Mar shal, Wm. J. Starr.
 The day was exceedingly fine, and all were earn est in the celebration The procession arranged on the east side of the village street, taining about six hundred teachers and children. The entire procession was headed by the New Mil ford Brass Band, which afforded pleasing music for the occasion. The streets were lined with many spectators, each expressing their joy and satsfac tion on beholding so lovely scene. After passing down East street, thence across to West street. and up, the whole procession moved forward to the grove selected for the Festival, lying about half mile north of the village, ard short distance west from Mr. Benedict Hoyt's. Banners for each school, bearing appropriate notices, exhibiting the fine taste and skill of the ladies that planned and made them, waved silently and gently in the morning breeze. day of more universal satisfacti on to all has not visited New Milford for many long year.
 The first exercise on arriving at the grove was prayer by the Rev. MT. Murdoch, after which was sung the beautiful anniversary song, "We hail this day so full of joy" &c., by the teachers and child ren, under the direction of c. Todd.
 After singing, an address was delivered by the Rev. Mir S.ebbins, subjcct-'The Hope of the Church," followed with music by the Band, and singing by the Glee Club.
 It now being nearly o'clock, the president Col Henry Merwin, announced the time for taking re frcshm ents. The tables were overloaded with ar exceedingly great variety of biscuits, cakes, nuts candies, &c., &c.,, all good edibles for such an occa sion.
 Dinner over, the afternoon exercises commenced with singing by the teachers and children beauti full Sabbath School hymn, ''1he ProdigaPs Re turn ;'' after which brief and characteristic ad dress was delivered by the Rev. Mir. Murdoch. Mu SIC from the Brass Band then esounded through tn, grove, and when the echoes had died away an op portunity was afforded for voluntary speakers among whom were the Rev. Mr. Strong of New Preston, Rev. Mr. Cone of Sherman, A. Hine, ant the president of the day.
 After the addresses the teachers and children sang eiic Soou olu ny uH, we fe AiarcnlnS to The prom ised land''
 Next in order on programme, address by the Rev. MT. Acly, who expressed great satisfaction al seeing so large assemblage of teachers and scho ars of the Sunday Schools, far outnumbering his pectations, Music by the Band and singing by the Glee Club followed the address.
 Closing remarks by A. N Baldwin, Esq of North vile, happily and strikngly illustrating to the children the way to avoid some of the great evils that doth so easily beset mankind, especially the youth of our land Last piece sung by teachers and scholars was, "We're homewald bound," after which the band struck up the familiar tune, " Home, sweet Home," when the audience had the opportunity to disperse.
 So great and so complete celebration May it od ha 6s h ana tn G 5 town, and may the 1lth day of August, 1859, be an era from which we may date an increased attend ance both in the Sabbath School and the day school, in which the children may be prepared for useful ness in future stations of life while here below and especially by proper study of the Holy Scriptures may they grow wise unto salvation, and reap eter- nal joys.