Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-05-13

to the gorgeous drapcry eiih which the pulpit
was festooned-tbe American hag-tbe dear old
emblem Of our oountry's glory aud pow,r, aud
explained the reason whv that noble hammer had
been thus intertwined NJ Quad the sacred desk az
a fit aud proper ornament to the festivities then
going on. The Church had early and decidedly
taken ground in favor Of Liberty and Union, and
against secession and treason. Loyalty was
fixed fact 10 the mind Of every sincere christian
member Of the congregation; 1t was not deemed
advisable therefore TO present the national en-
sign at that particular time as further proof Of
the devotion Of the Church to the cause of human
right and good government Il needed no fuch
endorsement but it was placed there to impress
upon the children Of the School the holy charao-
ter Of the principles which it typi6es, and the
inestimable value Of the glorious privileges for
the perpetuity Of which so many fathers, sons,
brothers and husbands, are now struggling aud
dying on the field Of battle.
TOUCHING INCIDENTS.
During Mr.. Dickerson's address beautiful
bouquet-amid the fragrant flowers Of which a
sum of money bad been iugeniousy concealed
was sent up to him, as a complimentary acknow-
Judgement Of the uniform kindness he has ever
eyinced towards the children, and of his deep
interest in their temporal happiness and spiritual
welfare. The Reverend gentleman accepted the
gift in few words Of touching tenderness, aud
invoked Gods blessing upon the dear little
children who had thus remembered him in their
moments ofjoy. Having concluded his remarks,
he proceeded TO distribute the several premiums,
consisting of useful books, to the children after
reading their names which by the by, embraced
nearly the entire School, 30 great had been the
proficiency in their studies, during the past
year. The infant scholars were each presented
with small book and illustrated card, as o re-
ward for prompt attendance at School, and as a
means Of encouragement to further progress in
the future.
While the distribution was going on, q bouquet
Of pure white flowers tied with black Grape was
sent up by the classmates Of the late Joshua
Gould, as a testimony Of the love and affection
in which his memory was cherished by them
II was received by the Pastor. who in most
feeling manner alluded TO the virtues aud death
of that departed child of promise. There was
also sent up beautiful bouquet for absent Ada
Dckerson, the Pastors daughter, who, from a
severe and painful attliction had been prevented
from participating with her classmates on the
joyous anniversary occasion. 1t bore the motto,
"Pdtisnt in Sufsrm9." 1t too was accepted by
the Pastor in accents Of subdued emotion. One
Of the classes sent up a Dove with the olive
branch 10 its beak k,-the emblem Of Peace, very
pretty aud appropriate device, especially at the
present time May the day OF Peace be hastOned,
and the time speedily come when the "sWord
shall be turned into the plowshare aud the spear
into the pruning hook" when our now troubled
land shall rest from its work Of blood, aud the
whole nation once more acknowledge, respect
and defend the Star Spangled Banuer as the
emblem of universal Liberty and an inseparable
Union,
CLOSING SCENE
AT the close of these interesting exercises, @
neat Photographic Album was presented to Mr..
f. G. Messenger, by the scholars as a mark of
their nf I'm nf Mr
ger as their musical instructor. The pIeseuta.
tion was so complete a surprise, that it baiiied
every attempt of the ready-witted recipient to
respond and he was obliged to be content with
the simple 81 Mdnk you as he accepted with
overcome feelings the unexpected gift. The
Album is to contain the carte de pish of the
Pastor and the Teachers of the school. After
this the benediction closed the services, and the
large audience lett the scene highly gratifsd
with the Intellectual character Of the entertain
ment
THE DEooRATloNs
The Pulpit and platform presented a spectacle
Of beauty rarely excelled on an occasion of this
kind SO early in the spring-time Nature had
provided the flowers with profuse hand, and
the busy fingers of the lady teachers aud friends
Of the school, tastefully twined them into
wreaths, bouquets aud designs Of many hues, and
spread them about the altar, until a scene of
floral grandeur opened to view that brought to
mind the words of the song
80 the transporting, rapturous sight"
Over oil this, about the pillars Of the Pulpit
hung the national dag, with every star and every
stripe looking out, as it were, upon the gorgeous
array below, the centre and hope Of which was
the Bible as it lag upon the preachers desk.
Never before since the formation of our national
Union did that grand ensign of American liberty
have 80 deep meaning and hold 80 large a place
IN the popular heart as it does now, when trai-
tors are striving to strike it down, and destroy,
in their mad ambition for power, the last hope
Of christian progress and civilization in the
world. But while our Gag shall be unfurled in
cause so holy as to invite its glorious folds to
mingle their lustre with The golden rays of Truth,
Justice and Right as they beam forth from the
open Bible, we may thank God and take courage
as we hnrl the cohorts Of crime and treason back
from its sacred presence, to pollute no longer
with foul and murderous hands the spotless
purity Of the one, sustained and upheld as it is
by the holy teachings and inspiration of the
other. With the Bible in our hands aud its re-
ligion in our hearts, will go forth to do battle
for the old flag still, until the return of that
peace which shall secure to us and our pos
terity forever the inestimable blessing Of a re-
ligion pure and uudehled, and God fearing
nation united, happy, free, prosperous.