The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1881-04-23
NUMBER 81.

two. l must say / was not at all edited
by their appearance, most of which are
dilapidated looking structures or very
unimposing buildings. The only excep-
tion is the Episcopal church, which is
presided over by Mr.. J. J. Clemens, a
very Jealous, earnest worker, and great
ly beloved by his people. / wish you
could see Christ church, Aunt Chat. It
is indeed lovely, and one of the most
chHrchly churches (does that sound para
doxicalf / ever saw. 1t is built of
brick, with beautiful receding chancel
and exquisite stained glass and memorial
windows. But the chief charm of it to
me is the ivy-English aud American
that twines its peaceful tendrils over it's
walls in richest luxuriance and climbs
away up to the very summit of The tower.
At the right of the church is beautiful
lawn, with a fountain playing in the
centre and graveled walks leading to
the rectory. must not omit to mention
the chorister choir. ! never imagined
that boys could be trained so we'll. You
will he surprised, Aunt Chat, as I was,
to know that they sing much of the diff
ficu]t music that is SO finely rendered in
Trinity" New Orleans. Some Bishop
speaks of the Heavenly influence of these
serless voices, and feel as if l could not
appreciate q paid qnartette choir half as
much again, after hearing these boys
sing, in their sweet, self-unconsc;ous
way, not for praise or remuneration, but
for lone, simple hearted and sincere.
OF course there is sort of rivalry
among the different churches, and after
the lenten season began, and there was
such visible manifestation OF earnest
ness among the members of Chris, church
and regular attendance at the daily SER
vices, some other denominations were
impclled perforce to revive their droop-
ing energies. The Methodist minister is
indefatigable in his efforts to accomplish,
u great work, and it is the opinion of
many that he has succeeded very fairly
in infusing life into dry bones, for Shearn
church was sleeping the sleep, not Of the
inst, when he accepted that charge. He,
with the combined assistance Of several
other ministerial "brothers," undertook
to get up IL "revival" in Lent, and most
earnest and perscvering were their ef-
forts to achieve the desired end. Has
the age for religious excitement passed
awayi or why was it that the people so
stoically refused to be reyivedf" If
numbers mean force, surely these half
dozen parsons ought to have succeeded
in producing an enthusiasm; but they
finally gave up in despair, having made
but one conversion! A funny story was
told of a pious old elder. Returning
home one ght from meeting" lie found
at his home u poor pedestrian traveller
seeking lodging for the night. The re-
qne,t was granted in dreamy manner,
and the old elder whose overwrought
feelings had not yet become smbdued,
sat himself before the fire and began
groaning dislnally. The stranger lis
tened in alarm for some minutes and
finally ventured to inquire the cause Of
his distress and strange indisposition.
Not receiving response he put his qnes-
tion again in still greater alarm. No reg
ply but gloun! The elder Mt last, to
repeated inquiries and offers Of assistance
moaned ont something about "Methodist
revival" whereupon the atfrighted guest
arose to his feet and rapidly made his
exit. In due haste lie rushed to neigh
bor's lonse and pleaded for admittancc.
The good man opened the door to him,
kindly inqniring the cause of his alarm.
"Oh, sir, / was Mt Mr.. - house, and
1. - 4, II. I,n
calls the Methodist, and know it must
be catching, SO came here to ask yon
to let me spend the night. l can't go
is taking on tlrcadfully, and Pm afraid
l might catch it too" When the good
| elder heard Of the agitation he had un-
consciously produced, he very correctly
thought that, for the poor man not to
have heard of tho Methodist revival was
to "aryue himself unknown"
A literary society has recently been
organized here, and it has added Won
derfnlly to the charm and improvement
Of the place. 1t was Il subject of con-
siderable merriment when the question
| of naming the club was discussed. Some
wanted it styled "The Literati," but the
| arrogance and sclf-conceit implied in so
pretentious title was almost too much
| for the modcsty of Il few retiring MEM
| bers As is seldom the case, the minority
rnled, and the more fitting appellation
of "The Aspirants" was chosen. The
society meets once a week, at the diff
ferent homes of it's members, and read,
| play on the piano, sing, discuss, debate,
read and write essays, critiese and de-
| claim in fact, do almost every thing bnt
dance. The Terpsichorean art is sternly
prohibited. Our "Aspirants" will never
permit anght but the cultivation Of the
brain power, bnt find it most difficult
task to exclude etfectlially the dancing
element. In time it will be suppressed,
no doubt, as the taste becomes more dis
cipliped and cultured.
Will not our friends on the coast form
| a club similar to thlsa In the country,
especially, where there is such Il free,
regular routine Of duties, and society
claims do not absorb the time, utterly,
there might be an immense amount Of
real enjoyment and benefit derived from
an organization of this kind, and literary
taste cultivated and improved.
/ can not close this letter without
speaking of the profusion of exquisite
wild flowers to lie found in Texas. M
ture has certainly been very lavish here
and i'll every direction note new beau
ties.
The Houstonans have lately con
strncted Il very fine Lyceum Hall, an'
here many beautiful entertainments arr
given from time to time. ! would lik'
to tell you Of some of them but my lette
would he too long, SO / sign myself il
haste and before weary you,
MYRA.