Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-20
The sunday school FESTIVAL.

favorable auspices The event had been long
anticipated, and the Teachers in the several Sun
day Schools, ably and most generously assisted
by the ladies and gentlemen of tho different con-
gregaticns, and by the ladies and gentlemen Of
the vicinity and surrounding country, had made
extensive preparations to render it in all respects
grand and joyous occasion for the young folks.
They were entirely successful.
At IL o'clock A. NJ. the Teachers and Scholars
assembled en- masse at the Methodist Church, and
marched thence, in procession, charmingly
fresh, beautiful and well-arrauged to the Baptist
Church, where an overwhelming congregation of
their relatives and friends awaited them. The
services were opened with the singing of ono or
two hymns, followed by fervent and earnest
prayer, from the Rev. L. R. GwALrSEY, pastor
of the Church, for the success of the schools and
the spiritual welfare of the young pupils. And
this was followed in turn by short and exceeding
ly interesting and well-conceived addresses from
ATrRED j. NORRIS, Esq, W. W. ADAMS, ESQ.,,
Rev. Mr.. HERMos and Rev. Mr.. GwALTNEY. The
services were varied and gladdened throughout
by Sunday School hymns and choruses, beauti-
fully sung, aud with great spirit and precision,
by the whole body of pupils; the nccompani-
monts being gracefully played by the Obliging
and accomplished lady who conducts the music
in the Baptist Church.
After the bsnediction was pronounced by Rev.
Mr.. GwALrSEY, the charming procession was
again formed, and pupils and congregation ad-
journed to the grove of the Male Academy, where
q handsome feast-an extremely handsome feast
had been prepared for all There was m end
lessly long table for big people; aud another,
only foot and half from tho ground, for the
little creatures who looked like angels-and are
angels yet awhile.
But the pleasantest occasions must have an
end And after much eating, and drinking, and
and chatting, and flirting, and
enjoyment generally, with nothing to mar tho
sunshine of the occasion, the Sunday School
Festival of 1868 came to an end. We hope the
thing will become aregular annual observance; it
is pious, pure and beautiful. And we hope we
may oil meet together year hence. in tho
same spirit of brotherly love and neighborly
kindness:
Knowing that our readers will be gratifed to
peruse the chaste and edifying address of our
friend below named, We take great pleasure in
publishing it entire.
SUNDAY SCHOOL ADDRESS OF A. J. Norris, ESQ.
1t has been the custom of mankind in all hon.
orable pursuits, from the earliest ages Of Society,
to occasionally celebrate their progress with mu-
;ic, with song aud jovial feast. In pursuance of
this time -honored custom, and in pursuance of
the divine injunction which requires us to assem-
BILE ourselves together to pay our devotion to the
great King of Kings; VIC have come into the sa-
cred Temple to celebrate the ar rniversary of our
Village Sabbath Schools. We are not here to eel
ebrate an occasion of martial glory, nor to crown
the conqueror's brow with victorious wreaths. We
are not here to invest with the robes of office
some high public functionary, whose distinguished
services and public deeds entitle him to the high
est yeneration that man is permitted to bestow
upon man. These, with US, are things of the past.
Our banner trails in the dust. Our warriors have
shea;hed their swords. The voices Of our states
the heroic valor of our slaughtered dead. A
foreign soldicry treads upon our soil, and tho nod
of tyrant makes our laws. Wearo strangers in
our own country, and instead of celebrating day
of national glory, at time thot witnesses our
deep humiliation, and the grievous and enormous
wraags that have been hoaped upon US by an ua-
generous foe, it would we'll become US, like the
captive Israclitcs to hang harps upon the will
lows and weep.
But notwithstanding we arc roiceless and pow
less in the councils Of the nation, VIC are yet able
to do much to amelioratc our condition as Il peo-
ple, and 10 aid in the recovery of that highest
privilege of a freeman, the right Of being gov
erned by his peers. Driven as VIC are from the
pl4ce and the voice to which we are justly enti-
tied in the government of our country, and COM
PEELED as We are to forego our wouted celebrations
when the theme of our orators was our liberty
and prosperity,-no occasion could better COM
mand our time or deserve our attention than that
which has brought Us here to-day. 1t is manifest
that have not failed to appreciate its pleasures
or its importance; and the interest manifested by
our people, i, credtable alike to their social and
moral reputation. In this beautiful and charm
ing month Of Nay, when nature is robed in living
green, decorated with innumerable fragrant fow-
crs and enlivened by the music Of the sweet song
.ters of the forest, period more than away other
sugguestvo of the primitive era when our first par
euts enjoyed the fclcities of their Eden Home,
al have stopped from their busy avOcation' and
Come here to do honor to tho cause by their pres
,nce their plaudts, and their cordial celebration
Of the Anniversary Day.
Nor are tho pleasures of this era Of youthful
delight confined to the people of cur quiet little
village. Thousands Of happy voices are uniting
them selvc. together during this pleasant month
of May. Thousands of happy hearts nrc leaping
With joy and gladneSs engendtred by the events
Of this festive period.
The Sunday School army is everywhere ringing
out its anthems,-iu the mids: of the nagni6cence
Of the city, the cheerful mediocrity of the village,
and the plain simplicity of rural life; and its sam
,une little songsters nre echOing and re echoing
their warblings at every cheerful frcsido in the
and. Let us then not be disheartened nor dis
by the things that nre untoward, but
tran port ourselves back to the days of our child
hood, and participate in the pleasures of the Sun
lay School band.
That the Sabbath School has ever been most
powerful instrument in the moral training Of the
young, is question that has been fully demon
'trated and established by tho achievements of the
past. It's merits have been oft repeated, and are
Is familiar as household words. It is cause
hat no ono CT roproach. It is cause that all
must commend. It has the two-fold purpose of
raining ur the youth in such manner that they
may be fitted to discharge the high and RESPONSE
4. Al. al nd