Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-07-15
For The Oxford Demoeral.
Sabbath School Celebration ut Sweden

ell. together with many citizens no, conect-
ed with these schools. assembled near the
resiisnec Of John IIamlin, Esq.. In Sweden
to the number of 700 or 500. on the morn
ing Of the ionrth inst. Tables having been
previously prepared. they we're soon covered
with the necessaries and Injuries OF life.
from the we'll stored larders Of the partici-
,,,,rs In the festivities Of the occasion. AZ
ten clock A. NJ. the concourse 81 people
were called TO order by the Marshal Of the
dny. Hon. T.. W. Woodbury., who annonnc-
ed the order Of exercises. and proceeded To
form the schools in sections, assisted by the
several Snperin,endents and Benjamin Il.
Dresser, E.q., M aids. Having completed
the arrangement, they proceeded To march
,o the housc Of John Ilnmlin. preceded by
the Bras. Band from Harrison, where the
orator Of the occasion. and the ministers
present, pinned tie procession, and were es-
cortcd to the grounds prepared Tor the celc-
brauon. Seats Rad been prepared Tor about
COO people. which were soon all occupied
and numbers we're obliged TO stand. Dur
ing the seating Of the people, the band dis
courscd sweet music IRON tho platform
after which the choir, led by $. A. u. Far
rinc,on OF Lowell. sung hymn OF welcome.
The Marshal then very appropriately refer
red to the established usage Of celebrating
thi. day, and remarked. that IL was with
feeling. Of joy and thankiulness, mingled
with dark forrbodings. that he appeared
upon the platform this day. When he look
ed upon ~ many cheerful faces, and Joyous
countenance.. he could bot be Joyiul. when
he looked backward through the eighty
three years in which we had been an indie.
pendent nation. and viewed the good hand
of our God, which had ever been with, and
about US, and had raised Us from little one
Of about three million souls. TO a great and
mighty nation Of more than twenty-five mil.
lion people. be must be less than man. 1t he
did not have a heart filled with love and
gratitude 20 our common Father, tJr all
these blessings. But when be looked Tor
ward TO the future, and viewed the destiny
Of our nation, through the light Of ancient
history. aud Divine revelation; remember
ING that at this moment. while We are ccle-
bratins the eighty.third anniversary OF our
nations Independence, we have more than
four millions Of bondmen, trod down by the
iron heel OF oppression, within these United
States more than the whole number OF
soul. within the colonies when they declar.
Ell themselves independent IRON the mother
country he could but have fearful fore
bodings for the future OF our beloved coun.
try. After paying beautiful tribute OF
respect TO the Fathers OF the Republlc, he
in very feeling manner referred 10 the mo-
ton Of Benz. Franklin in the Continental
Congress. while the motion To adopt the
Declaration OF independence was under dis
cus.ion. tina, prayer he offered for the Di.
vine Guidance and direction and In imita-
ton Of their example, rs well as our own
convictions Of the appropriations and ne
cesslty Of ever acknowledging our Deepen
dence upon Him who rules the destinies OF
nations as we'll as of individuals, be intro
duccd the Rev. Mr.. Gerry who offered
prayer. We then listened To music by the
baud and song by the choir. The Rev j.
f. Have Of Bridgton then gaze an address
Of an hour in length, replete with interest.
lie said the day belonged to liberty and
asked It Il should be celebrated only by
ringing OF bells. firing Of cannon, eating and
drinking; and replied that IL was for no
such purpose that our fathers BLEED and died;
il was that We nigh, enjoy liberty and
transmit il 90 our children and they again
TO theirs. The day was not to be given Up
to the canting demagogue, or the political
urIlrhnl. aNot lUaN VIC aiV w ibH"AN I'''
ties for humanity requires Us to act politi.
cally, and christianity demands It Of Us, 50
long a. the Declaration OF Independence
j, SAID to be bundle OF glir,ering senerali
ties" Palaed be- the hand, and mute the
tongue that is not consonant with liberty.
We meet to speak Of the cause OF Sabbath
Schools to-day, not as scctarians, but rs
christians. lie then proceeded to show the
acquisitions Of a good school. First. good
superintendent was Indispensable. man
active. apt 10 teach, who ruled his own
house we'll, devoted christian. Second,
faithful teachers those who were interested
in the work and would prepare themselves
10 discharge its duties. Third. attentive
and constant scholars. lie enforced the du.
ty upon every profcse.d christian, especial.
ly. Of attending the Sabbath School, and
urged all, whether professors OF religion or
not, to attend upon this interesting and IN
structive Institution. Finally, the hope,
not only Of the church, but Of the country.
in no small degree depended upon the IN
culcaton Of the doctrines Of the Bible. n I'd
their practical development. But | can give
your readers hut faint idea Of this intes
csiing and instructive discourse in this brief
synopsis. After the close Of the address
about dozen little gIrl., under the leader.
ship of Miss Julia Gerry of Lowell, enter.
tanned us by singing several select pieces.
closing with the Lords Prayer-one OF tie
most interesting and touching incidents OF
the occasion. The audience were then dis
missed to gather around the tables. and sup
ply the wants Of the outer man. The d..