Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1854-01-05
THE "PEAKS OF OTTER"

These peaks rise from the Blue Ridge o
Virginia, to the height of 1850 feet, near the
gap where the James River penetrates tha
Ridge and not far from the Natural Bridge
The "sharp-top peak" which is most visl-
ted, consists Of huge naked granite rocks.
When you have planted your feet on the
tepmost rock, the very cap-stone of this
vast natural pyramid, you are overwhelmed
with wonder aud delight at ,Ee almost il
lImitable extent OF The view which the eye
vainly endeavors TO take in, as it gazes ear
nes.ly towards the east, over country
gradually sloping to the Atlantic, for dis
,ance of $50 miles. You can scarcely be-
lieve that the horizon that bounds your
view is not the '.deep blue sea" ITSELF This
whole vast area of country seems like one
level plain; or variegaled as it is by field
and forest, it looks like large splendid CAL
pc, opened before you. If your turn your
face to the north, the west, or the south,
you have spread ou. in every direction as
far as the power Of vision extends one acide
acildcrness of mountains. The peaks stand
upon the extreme eastern boundary Of this
mountain region, like "granite senlinels'
stationed sEsts fnr protection and defence
The late eccentric John Randolph, hav-
ing spent the night on the speak," that he
might see The sun rise, was SO overwhelmed
with the wondrous beauty and glory Of the
scene, as the sun rose suddenly in view
lha! he could not behold il; but sunk down
on his knees, and covered his face, declar-
ing that "there was too much Of the Divine
power and glory there for sinful eyes to
look upon" Indeed you connot but feel
while standing on lha. lofty pinnacle Of
rock, tha, you are 'curlained round by
Godn
Blu, that SUNNI. has peculiar interest to
me. On summers day in 1851, there stood
on that rock young infdel lawyer. He
was the son, the only son of doing, de-
vou,ly pious mother, and she widow. who
resided in an adjoining county, in the town
Our young friend was on a vs, to
Christian family living in the vicinity, and
belonging 10 a congregation bearing the
name of The peaks. A revival Of religion
was at that lime in progress there, and the
interest was widespread and deep. From
wiir.G iIG etU0u. Ire Couid aiiost &-c tIIc To-
cai.y Of the old Westinghouse" in which
his friends were then worshIpping God, and
where many souls were earnestly seeking
salvation. He knew that courtesy required
he should attend the meeting: and also tha,
it would be gratifying to his fond mother to
hear from his own mouth an account Of it.
He therefore resolved to attend. He had
fell secure IN his Infidel opinions but now
the though, arose, "Perhaps the worshippcrs
al the 'mee,ing' are right in their faith and
if so am arrong" And with sincere
desire TO know The truth, he then and
there bowed down upon the rock ard gave
himself up to the divine guidance, and sol
emnly covensn,ed with God TO follow the
light he nigh. mercfully vouchsafe 10 him.
lle attended the meeting, and kept tha, COW
enaut and In few days was found among
The rejoicing young converts.
lie still lives, and is now the happy father
of believing children, ruling elder in the
Presbyterian Church, and professor in one
of the most popular literary institutions Of
Virginia. The granite summit of the peak
stands there in all its solemn grandeur as
his bethez, his " pillar of memorial" the al
ter of his covenant. May his love and JOY
remain when these mountains shall "melI
like wax before the flame" "-.4mer. .Messen-
ger.