Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-02
Letter from Fairfax County.

Correspondence Of the alexandria Gazette
CENTREvILLE, FAIRFAX COUNTY. VA, Aug.
3l.-On Saturday last, the long wished tor
rain descended, refreshing and renewing q
large proportion of our vegetable world
With the Sabbath stiffness Of the succeeding
day, and it's delightful atmosphere, there
seemed a renewed spirituality among the
citizens, as was shown by the n number
vending their way, in different directions, to
various places Of worship. Three or four
different locations, within a circuit Of several
miles, were the scenes of protracted meet
ings, and Of successful labor among the
brethren, as numerous converts gave good
evidence.
A protracted meeting, held by the Rev. Mr..
Cross, and assisted by the Rsv. Mr.. Compton,
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
was numerously attended, at Sudley, seven
miles west of this village-the location being
within two miles Of the Warrenton turnpike;
and, besides its natural beauty, boasts Of one
or more Sulphur springs, said to be eminently
beneficial to invalids suffering from chronic
affection of the liver.
The scene presented on the occasion, as
described by an eyewitness, was Of conaldera-
ble interest. Tue church itself, a moderate
sized brick structure, g~uiltless OF paint,
crowns the brow Of q wooded ridge, gently
sloping towards the east, and within a stones
throw Of the graded track Of the Manassas
Gap Railroad. The smooth turf ia shaded
with numerous trees, straight and tall, 81 ring
upwards, apparently ambitions for the sun
light, and carrying their branches with them,
high W out of the shade. Now and then,
some tall and graceful rider, wheeling into llne
from the highway az be swept onward, halted
to bend down the twig of an aspiring sap'ing,
and left bis ~Bucephalus with his bride, dang.
ling in mid-air. 10 close proximity to the
champing s:eed, q yoke Of oxen--hornless-
would smuse themselves, whsnglng their
yoke, or rafting their chain, while Simbo
is silently discussing the proprlety OF fur.
nisbipg his sturdy team with a bunch OF
hay. Next are mules, quietly feeding from
the long cbair.seated wagon, with its COM
plement Of edibles, bountifuily prepared for
the occasion. But the sermon Is ended, and
as tue beautiful eucbantment Of the swee!
singers has died away among tho trees, the
good people emerge from the church, and
distribute themselves for the supply Of their
physical wants Dinuh-, in hoops and donb-
ces, are spreading tablc-linen, and unpacklng
d~ainties, beneath the shade Of the Old oak
trees. Cutfse, pitcher in hand, has struck a
Decline to the nearest srring, his coat skirts
streaming in the breeze; while the geese
waddle way rather hurriedly, the hen stops
her caekling, and walks of with her brood,
and the pigs, by sundry starts and squeals,
manifest their perception Of the kicks and
cuffs gratui.ously bestowed by certain little
darkies, the very personihoation OF juvenile
mischief. Such are the scenes of Il rural
Cburch-going in Virginia.
With the close of the afternoon services,
the exercises of the day are eoded, and the
throug disperse to their respective homes,
we'll pleased, aud, perhaps, greatly benefit
ted, By tho days jaunt. HATOR.