Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-11
A visit TO Fairfax.

\,
ever felt closely identified with the Interest,"
of "Old Fairfax" take peculiar pleasure il
everything pertaining to her religious, mora
or social advancement. | was, therefore
gratfed at seeing recently complimentary
description of your beautiful village in the
Baltimore Sun, and also at the tlattering &C
count given of delightful social entertain
ment lately enjoyed 10 your pleasant little
community. But with still greater pleasure
have since learned that one of your neigh
/ boring villages has been cultivatlng spirit
of religious improvement, and that the little
I Church in the village Of Dranesville is being
repaired and handsomely fitted M, and will,
before the coming Of the the rapidly approach
ing New Year, be ready for Dedication. This
Church has long stood monument of re
proach to the otherwise industrious aud we'll
meaning inhabitants OF its vicinity. Occupy
ing as il does most beautiful and elevated
situation, have often wondered atits dilapi-
dated and neglected condition.
\ few months since, whilst visiting many
scenes connected with earlier associations, |
fingered upon this sunny spot to view the
beautiful and familiar objects that had often
attracted my attention and admiration; their
luyelness seemed 10 have frightened, and as
the gliding rays of an autumnal settings sun
shone smilngly upon the landscape | tho't
it would favorably compare with many places
of far greater nOtor;ety. Oh IN the. west as
far as the eye can reach, the Blue-RIdge
stretches itself in one continued range Its
deep dark hue plainly bespeaklng how appro-
priately it had been named. Away in the
North, the more modest but not less beauti
full Sugar-L1af raises its gracefully curved
summit While at the base OF the hill | OC-
cupied rested the village of magnificent ez-
tension" its pleasant and comfortable He
tells temptngIy inviting the weary traveller
to rest. Many farm-houses, groves and
brooks dot the surrounding hills and vallies,
giving pleasing variety to the scene.
Not far distant saw the warm, curling
smoke come ci-clng up from the warm
hearth-stone of a happy dwelling, that bad
once been my own loved home. Ia vain l
searched for the venerable poplar whose
towering head, as a landmark, had always
pointed out the place where, since my recol-
lection, the rumblng walls of an old Con-
tinental Church had stood. But the Church
and the poplar had both fallen to decay and
left the silent, solemn graveyard In It's lOnel-
ness. Night coming on the crowd
assembled for worship, and as | mingled
with old friends and received their KIDD and
cordial greetings, missed many bright faces
and happy smiles that were wont 70 meet
me there in other days; some had passed
away from EARTH and were quietly sleeping
with the unforgotten dead; some had changed
and become as strangers, whilst others were
seeking happier homes in far-otf lands.
On entering the Church, found that the
interior coutrasted strangely with the beautl-
ful decorations with which nature had 20
layishly endowed the outer scene. Its dark,
dingy walls, din lights, and rough seats, car
ried us back to primitive ages, when the
school-hOuse aud barn were converted into
worShipiug Temples We cordially cOngra.-
ulate the good people Of that place and vlcin-
ity upon the improvement making, and think
that many thanks are due from them to their
energetic and efficient ministers whose efforts,
combined with their own, have effected 50
much for their comfort and convenience
Eloquent appeals will doubtless be listened
to 10 future with much greater interest and
effect We lazy modern-people require ease
to make us contented, and pleasant seats are
required to ensure attentive hearers.-FGT-
tIr NeEs