The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-11-16

lYsom ibs Clarsndsn Prsss.3sss s''sr z
,u,pAx SCHOOL .onLE d sAr'.os ar
n1ANNlhGs. - =.
-',--s..' - :.
A arest D.y forshs Isttfs fSiks;;f
.@t.. . .,:ces;a;">s,
When the morning sdaNned pboae euss,'
the sk;es, overcast with DARK, heavy
clouds, were bid, ,4fsusyouf gaze. .Thefs
was every appearances ,R xpiD 90 the
day advanced, hoseSefa the clouds be-
gan to disappear, aud old Sol came cut
10 all bis brightness, aiming, gladness
into the hearts Of old and young. At
on early hour in tho morning the little
boys and girls dressed very neatly and
tastily, with theirSlittlesfaces illumina.
ted with joy 10 anticipation Of the plea.
sures Of the day, could be seen prone
nadiug the streets; aud they, continued
to gather in Wagons, carriages and bug
giee. "from near and from far,'' until
about 10 o'clock. Tho children, teaoh-
era and superintendents gathered at the
Presbyterian Church: Al 103 O'Clock,
the Chairman Of the Committee OF Ar
reugements, Captain r \ A. chandler,
gave notice that tho procession would
now be formed. The children were
brought ont and placed 10 postum, the
girls 10 one column dopble file. smallest
10 front, the buys the same 1way; the
two colun,na parallel with eash: other.
Mr.. A. A. Gilbhrt, having, arrived iu
town was now sent for. Mr.. Gilbert,
Rev. Jus. Mcdowell, Rev. s. j. Hill, Rev.
D. w. Cuttino ah2 Rev j. Il. Campbell
were placed ip position between the
columns near the head. The flag bear.
er in the centre. Everything being
now in readiness, the columus. we're or
dercd to move. 'fhe ages Of the SMALL
est buys aud girls that headed the col
umns, ranged, we would suppose, from Z
to 10 years; aud the .decenoy aud order
with which even these dear little chill
dren conducted 'themseiyee, and the nc
curacy with which they marched in line.
was certainly astonishing to US Az the
head Of the. PROCESSION turned Into tho
street lcading up. to the Methodist
Church, where the first speeches were,to to
be delivered, oter two hundred children
aud whole mass meeting Of grown
talks, who accompanied the children in
their march, struck up that beautiful
song" Marching along." We do not
think that there conld have been one
person who witnessed this grand and
imposing scene but must have n1w felt,
if never before, the great value and i'm.
portance Of the Sunday School, and we
hope and trust that it wilt be the means
OF nrousing the parents and friends of
the rising generation to greatly incrcas.
cd zeal and energy in this most impor-
tart work now so much neglected
Arriving ut the Church, the procession
halted mud the speakers marched in and
took their seats. 1t was previously
Thought that two thirds of the middle
pews would be sufficient for the children.
bur ~ they marched in and to"k their
seats, it was soon ascertnined that nut
only the middle pews would be required,
but nearly one row of the side pews
would be occupied By them, a. they con
tinuea to come. Every available seat
on the lower Auor was occupied and q
large number sought the gallery.
The exercises opened by singing the
Sunday School anniversary hymn, after
which Rev. Jas. Mcdowell read the 23rd
Psalu., aud offered eloquent aud most
feeling prayer in behalf OF al! the dear
children aud the Sunday School cause
generally. AT the close Of the prayer,
that beautiful song, "Ileaven is my
Home," was sung by the children. Rev.
S. j. Hill now introduced A. A. Gilbert,
Esq, of Sumter. AL eyes turned on
MIR. Gilbert, the smallest children gave
him their atteHtion. Ho spoke about
three quarters of IN hour and during
the whole time not whisper was heard
from even the smallest save 10 answer
some questions which he propounded
His remarks were so plain that, the.
youngest minds could easily comprehend.
and yet so. torcible that the oldes, heads
could no. help but feel their weight aud
Importance. These :, truths, stamped
upon these young hearts, will never be
erased. The children OF Manning a6d
vicinity will often meet and talk abou,
"the little house that Sammie Black
we'll lives in" Mr.. Gilbert will be long
remembered by these children. He, con-
clu9ed his remarks by a feeling and
touching appeal to- parents and friends
in behalf Of this noble cause.
The next hymn was that universal
favorite, 1.-The beautiful River" efter
which Rev::S. j. Hill introduced Rev.
D. w. Cuttino. Ho occupied about one
hour. AS many good things, solid
truths for yodpg folks and old folks. as
could have been we'll crowded into that
space Of time, were put 10 by aIr. Out.
tino op this occasion. The undivided
attention given him by the children
proved that they understood and ',ap-
precidted9 9wha, he was telling them He
also concluded his remarks with an
eloqpept appeal 10 behalf of tho Sunday
School auso
That swess Sunday School song.
"Shnl j VIC meet. in Heaven above" was
now appropriate y sung. AS the chii-
dren we're singing this hymn so sweetly,
our eyes gisnokd ovsf the vast assembly ;
here was the, babe upon the wother's
breast, here we're little children of ten
ner years; here we're young men and
women just verging into maphood and
wUmanhOod and here too. we're n nm