Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1865-02-08

hoy who has given his bright hopes, his
high ambition, his manly strength and his
rich blood for his and our country, and now
only longs TO be at home to see his mother
once more before he dies The vices and
horrors OF Nashville are such as every war
engenders, but the rich christian graces
that bloom here are such as have hardly
ever been known in war time before.
While speaking Of the war cannot for
get one OF your former associates and one
of my most loved and valued friends, who
fell near Petersburg My hesrt is fnll of
tears whenever ] think of Capt. Dickey 9
untimely fate. His natare was so noble
and upright, SO clean, SO healthy, so unaf
fected, so manly, and Bithal, be had, in an
association continued through many years,
been SO good friend to me, that | deeply
mourn that he is so early lost to the world
and to me- When think of him and the
thousands of brave hearts that, like his,
have broken for their country's healing,
thank God for such rich natures, such gra-
cious memories, and for the immortality
that christian faith assures.
The many lessons which the war teaches,
if rightly pondered by teachers, may go in
TO common schools and give manlier tone
to the spirits Of the boys who are there
fashioning their manhoods' form. One of
these lessons, and by no means least impor-
tant, is the unspeakable worth of simple
trnthfulness-fdelity to conscience, to du-
ty-unswerving loyalty to right-faith in
the perfect justice of God.
But | must not write the essay which
have no time for, but must remember
that this is letter merely, means Of
speaking thousand miles away and rather
behind the time, and wishing to all Of you
teachers and the friends who are with you
at Belleville, Happy New Year, with all
the joys crowded into it that your hearts
can hold; with good friends and many of
them; with good books aud plenty of mo-
ney to buy them; with good scholars and
only just as many as there is room for, at
ter reserVing a space two feet square for
your superintendent; with healthy spirit
TO make yourselves sunny to associates and
to catch the sunshine of heaven, which is
love.
recall With much happiness my eIpe-
rlences in MifHin county, in institutes, con-
ventions, schoolrooms in the work of teach
ing, and in friendly intercourse with teach
ers and other friends. Very pleasant to
remember are the pictures of the Juniata,
of the Big and Little Valleys and the skies
that bend above them. | love to think of
the mountains with the lush life of Spring
or the burning glories of Autumn, over
which | watched the moon rise, felt the
sweet influence of the Pleiades and rever-
emily admired the bands of Orion.
need not say how exceedingly glad l
should be to attend your convention, to see
your welcome faces, to grasp your friendly
hands and to take part in the various ex-
ercises; but your own careful preparation,
the efforts of your Superintendent and Mr..
Douthell, will render your success COM
plete, on which congratulate you.
regret to stop, for while l write the
dear, familiar faces are before me, and
would gladly sun myself longer in the ge,
NAL presence; but neither your time nor
mine permits. Wishing you a most sue
cessful, profitable and happy meeting, and
cherlshing the kindest wishes for each of
you, | am and hope ever to remain
Your sincere friend,
A. SMITH.