Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1866-08-08
Principal, in organizing and conducting
this school, 50 far from feeling any dis
position to cayil and find. fault, every ces-'

this school, so far from feeling any dis
position to cayil and find. fault, every cen.
; did mind must admit that his efforts, in
connection With those of his able corps Of
assistants, have been attended with a de-
gree of success which reflects credit upon
them Col Mcfarland was among the
first to agi,a,e the project of establishing
schools for Soldiers Orphans, and to him
belo ngs goodly share OF the credit of
establishing and maturing the Peunsyl-
vania system of Orphan Schools, In
this praiseworthy undertaking, however,
he has been confronted by difficulties
which would have discouraged man Of
less energy and perseverance,. 1t is the
fate of those occupying public positions
to encounter opposition, and Col. McFar.
land has not proved an exception to the
rule. Ills character has been :raduced
his motives impngned, his wishes thwart-
ed; but though assailed by treacherous
friends and skulking enemies, his course,
like tina. of the bird OF Jove, has ever
been, upward and onward and true to
the line Called to take charge Of the
McAlistersviile school when in its infau
cy-the system hardly ma,ured-,he
buildings unsui:ed to the purpose, and
the very idea to great extent unpopular,
by talents aud executive abilities, by the
strict attention he las ever paid to the
best interests Of those committed to his
charge, lie has brought light cut of dark
ness, order out Of confusion, and rendered
the institution blessing to the bereave
ed ones for whom it wa. intended, and a
credit to the State in which it is located
FIudiDg the new buildings now occu-
pied by the school iCadequaie to the prop
er accommodation of the pupils, Col =.
Mcfarland determined to erect a new
building. With tho prompJness and Gu
ergy characteristic Of the man, he at
once had the plans prepard and con-.
menced operations. Impressed with the
importance Of tAe undertaking, and de-
sirous that all should participate in the
pleasure which he felt ID thus having ii
in his power to enlarge the usefulness of
the school, he resolved to make the occa-
sion OF the laying the corners stone an
event long 20 be remembered. Gov. Cur
tin aud other distinguished gentlemen
were requested to give dignity 20 the oc-
casion by their presence. \ cordial in
vitaiion was extended to the citizens OF
the surrounding country to attend, and
every effort made to interest those who
might attend. The weather proved ia.
rorable, and early in the day the town
was filled with such concourse IS plainly
indicated the interest felt in the success
of the school, and of the ability with
which the Principal had comhat.el the
uniaVorabie impressions which had PIE
vailed at the inception Of the enterprise
The exercises commenced al half past two
the children singing a piece entitled The
Orphan Prayer" This song, touching and
plaintive in its character, was rendered with
an effect which brought tears to the eyes OF
many .all unused to the melting Mood"
Col. Mcfarland then favored the audience
with some remarks explanatory Of the objects
and intentions Of the schoo!-the propriety
and business Of the act of the Legislature in
establishing such inStitut; ons--the efforts of
GOV. Curtin in perfecting The system, and Of
the interest he took in its success. He spoke
of the change which had taken place in the
character OF the school since the war-of the
fact that many of his former pupils had gone
forth with him to light their countIy's battles,
and to sacrifice their lives if need be, a will
ing Offering at the altar OF Liberty. Then,
pointing to the Orphan hand before him,
made a noble appeal in their behalf, remind
ing his hearers that each child represented a
dead father--a father that had lost his life,
that they might enjoy the blessings of con-
s;itltional freedom.
The Rev. N. L. Shindel was then called up |
on for some remarks appropriate to the i'm
mediate act of laying the corner stone. The
Rev. gentleman begun by allud ng to the
antiquity Of the custom Of laying the corner.
stone on the erection of public buildings |
with religious ceIcmonies-the illusions TO it |
in the Scriptures, and the ideas connect
Il with the event lie stated that 'one cor /
ler stone was laid on one another, and that /
he same was done at each Of the four cor
iers of the building. The corner stones
we're therefore many but all Of them taken
collectively were spoken of as one. A single
tone, larger, stronger and more beautiful
han the others, was laid in one of the cor
lers, as the representative of all the rest,
nd of the whole foundation, and was emphat
cally termed the corner stone, the chief cor
Ter stone, the head Of the corner. By lay
ng corner stone, the person or persons