The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-23
Pio-nio.


WILLOW TOWNSHIP, ORANGEBuRg Co.
May 18th, 1879.
Editor Orange4urg Democrat:
1t was my fortune on last Saturday
to attend Picnic at Bethel Church,
gotten up by a feY sisters of said
church. It was given to the Sunday
School now going on there. The
Sunday School at Willow Swamp, her
sister church was invited to partici.
pate, and I think from the number OF
vehicles coming from that direction,
that it was we'll represented. I ar
rived there about 10 A. NJ, and soon
after the pastor, who attends both
churches. He, I understood, was to
deliver an address to the schools.
BY II O'Clock the church was full to
overlooking, the appointed time for
the address. However, a few min
utes before that time, the Superin.
tendent rose and said he would be
glad if all scholars would repair to a
certain place about hundred yards
distant, for the purpose of forming,
preparatory for the march. And
right here, I will say by way of ex-
PLANTATION, that marching may be un-
common in some ncighborhoods, but
it is invariably part of the pro-
gramme in this. They were all ar
ranged by twos, and commenced the
march for the church, at the same
time portion of the best singers
generally march in front, the music
begins as they move off. And I tell
you, Bethel can boast of some splen-
did singers, and some that enjoy it
themselves and you know that any
thing that one can do, and likes it,
it is we'll done. I was impressed
with the music, and don't think
ever heard better. And, oh | what a
beautiful sight to see the long rows
of little ones moving on after each
other, singing at the top of their
voices, for their teachers had told
them they must all sing and sing lond,
and ! am certain every one tried to
do his best in that direction. The
church was reached, and the music
ceased. Next was to be dialogue,
spoken by four little boys and three
little girls. Subject, welcome to
their pastor. And at closing ask.
ing him to make them q speech.
They acted their different parts we'll,
though the crowd was so large ]
wasn't sufficiently near to hear all
Well, in reply to the little opes, the
pastor arose and addressed the Snn.
day Schools and all present with an
appropriate address. He made some
excuses that he was indisposed, and
not prepared as he should have been,
ETC., but ] think he did extremely
well. 1t is true, it wasn't long, but
very suitable.
Well, I suppose by this time, it was
1 o'clock, and one more march had
yet TO be made, and that was to the
table. After the conclusion of the
address, all the owners of baskets re-
paired to the table. 1t had beer
erected early in the morning under
the shade of some oak trees. Thithel
they went to fix up and arrange the
eatables thereon. It did not take
them long. and that last march was
taken. cannot do justice in q de-
scription Of the variety of good things
and plenty it seemed to me to feeG
twice the number of people assembled
They cry hard times around here, but
if you could have seen that table, yor
would have been ready to exclain
that the people have brought all the,
have, or else, have no right to com
plain of hard times. I do not near
to cast any reflection on what any
body has, or has not, but I say tha
if good workman had not been a
the helm while constructing that ta
bic, and built it strong, down to the
ground it would have gone. Mr.. T..
the builder, knew what was in stor.
for that table. ] don't think I car
get any farther than the table JUS
now, so I will only add, / am satis
fed every one did ample justice tt
the viands it contained. And in con
LII,