Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-10
RrrDAr READING,

JANIS WADDzLL, OF VIR0ISLk.-Bishop Meade
in Of his interesting sketches Of the old EpiscO
pal Churches in Virginia describes thepresent desc
lation Of the field Of labor Of Mr.. Wirts famous
blind preacher:
"The county Of Lancaster was the scene Of the
early labOrs Of the Rev. Mr.. Waddell, the blind
Presbyterian preacher who is feeliugly described
by Mr.. Writ in the British Spy. At time when
disafection toward the Established Church was
spreading through Virginia, and great numbers were
leaving it, Mr. Haddell by his talents, zeal, and
piey, gathered two congregations in this county
One Of the churches was near the courthouse
The graveyard in its ruins is the only relic of the
establishment Of that denomination IN Lancaster
county. About fifty years since the church shared
the fate with those Of the establishment, which
have now passed away. The two acres Of land on
which it stood, and beneath which are the remains
Of numerous adhereuts to that denomination, has
ever been regarded as sacred. grove Of oaks,
sycamOres pines other trees, shaded the hil0eks
andsome tomb stones which were spread over the
face of the earth, which carpeted with covering
of green grass Il was Iamtold favorite resort to
the people Of the village aud country around-tO
the young as a play grOundtO the old as scene Of
contemplation. l recently visited the spot, but
found il no longer for the young or old the
gay or the grave. Nearly every tree was gone,
having been within year or two cut down and con-
verted into eOrd-WOod and sold TO the steamboat.
Nothing is to be seen but stumps and piles Of dead
branches, which hide not only the hill0ck graves,
but thefeW tomb stones which were once to be seen
Young cedars everywhere putting forth their
shoots and in a few years it will be with this spot
as with many like it in YiFgnia-it must be 50 hid
den from the view that it will be difficult for any
ecclesiastical antiquarian discover the spot where
Mr.. Waddel once proclaimed the Gospel Of Christ.
RUmor says that in the absence Of any member Of
the church near at hand, application made to
some Presbyterian minister at distance, and leave
granted, to do something to this interesting spot,
which has resulted in such utter desolation.
The PSALMS OF DAvID.-Amongst all compost
tions these alone deserve the name Of sacred lyrics
These alone contain poetry that meets the spirit
ual nature in oil its moods and all its wants. which
strengthens virtue with glorious celebrations, gives
angelic eoqUence to prayer, and almost rises to the
seraphs joy in praise. In distress and fear they
breathe the low sad murmUr Of complaint in peni
tence, they groan with the agony of the troubled
soul They have gentle music for the peace af
faith; in alteration they ascend TO the glory Of
ton, and the majesty of God. For assemble or
for solitude for all that gaddens and all that grieves,
for our heaviness and despair, for redemption,
we find in these divine harmonies the loud or the
low expression. Great has been their power in the
world They resOunded amidst the courts Of the ia
bernacle; they fOatei through the lofty and solemn
spaces Of the temple They were sung with glory
in the halls Of Zion; they sung with sorrow by
the streams of Babel. And when Israel had passed
aWays the hafp OF DaFlu was sun AWAKENED IN the
church Of Christ In all the eras and ages Of that
church, from the hymn which first whispered
in an upper chamber, until its anthems filed the
earth the inspiration Of the royal prophet has en-
raptured its devotions and ennobledits rituals.
And thatit has been, not alone, in the august ca
thedra or the rustic chapel ChOrused by the winds
Of Heaven they have swelled through Gods own
temple Of sky and stars; they have relied over
the broad desert Of ASIA in the mathis and vespers
Of ten thousand hermits They have run through
the deep valleys of the Alps in the sObbing voices
of the forlorn Waldenses; through the sleeps and
caves of Scottish highlands in the rude chantiHgs
Wids of primitive America in the heroic hallsujahs
Of the early pilgrims.