Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-09-22


Eprs. who has them in hand. Let none fail
to regard this notice, as weS!expect all to be
puuctual. A word, We hope, is sufficient
Laying of Corner Stone-Rioh display.
On Thursday last, in company with num-
Ter of others from this place, we visited SheI-
herdstown, to witness the imposing ceremonies
incident to laying the corner stone. of the
church to be erected for the accommodation
of the congregation connected with the NJ. E.
Church South 1t will be. recollected that
about one year ago, this congregation was
uniustly aud unceremoniously elected from its
accustomed house of worship, BY plant judge,
who has ever shown a willingness to uphold
the miuions of the party with which he IS
connected, and the edifice and parsonage
turned over to the radical party, represented
by few londmouthed professors, who held
an uncertain connection with the Methodist
society. This edict of the unjust judge was
speedily executed. and the real, genuiue
Methodist congregation thrown upon its own
resources, aud forced of necessity, to secure
a house of their own. Regardless of the
robbery they had sustained, and zeaIous in
the cause they had espouSed with humble
sincerity, few brave spirits undertook the
work. went befure the people with their cairns
for sympathy, touched the chord that ever
responds to the appeal of the injured and
oppressed raised sufficient sum to justify a
commencement, purchased an eligible site for
a church, and on Thursday. laid the corner
stone of structure which is to be imme
diately reared and dedicated to the service of
Almighty God, So much for the zeal Of the
Shephcrdstown Methodsts-and now to the
work of Thursday, which we can only hastily
and briefly refer to.
The day, though cool and bracing, was just
such an one. as the work in hand seemed to
require-and the people gave coun:enance TO
the laudatlc purposes which prompted the
Methodist society. by attending the ceremonies
in large uumbere. The various orders were
we'll represented, aud the procession one of
the largest we have seen far years. Free Ma
sous. Odd Fellows. Red Men, Sons Daughters,
aud Friends of Temperance, joined in to swell
the train and to the strains of inspiring music,
marched through the principal streets to the
Presbyterian church. Here the services
were Of a most interesting character and for
the most part, ELECTED the profoundest attcm
ton Scriptural lessons were read 10y Rev.
G.. w. ANDREWS. singing by the choir. and
prayer by Rev. d. II. BITTLE these opened
the way for the address of the Rev. s. s. Ros-
ZELL so well known throughout this Valley.
We will rot attempt lengthy notice of this
addrcss-likc the man, il was bold searching
and truthful. striking the nail in the sure
place and driving it home with effect and
power. intellectually it was ctfrI worthy
OF even Rn>zclH-sparklng with thoughts as
right as the polished stone, Astounding in
imagery as bold aud grand as sublimity rr>e:f.
and rcpletc with satire cutting two
edged instrument. And yet, it was dis
course i'll which Christ, the great master aud
excmplar, was recognized as the corners Stone,
the foundation, upon which must rest the
piIars't that support the grand structure Of
christianity Without Him, the Bible, IN
the estimation Of the eloquent speaker, Was
no more than any other Bouk-He impaired
to the word, its Spirit and power. Referring to
the church whose corner stone was this day to
be laid, he said that sooner than see it de.enc
rate into political club room, he would invoke
the lightnings of heaven to kipde a fame to
its timbers and scatter its bricks in the dust
He reviewed the circumstances connected
with the division Of the Baltimore Conference,
aud proved conclusivcly that that branch of
it which now holds association with the NJ. +.
Church South, stood upon the same platform
occupied by the whole conference only few
years ago.
At the conclusion of DIR. Roszell's address,
Rev. DR. Poisa, publisher of the Baltimore
Episcopal lMth"Ji~f. entertained the congre
CATION in what is ordinarily termed the beg
cling Speech" but the Dr's. style was so bland
and attractive that few present felt that he
was making appeal to their pockets. The
amount subscribed and contributed. as we
learn WIS between 81 and $500. The services
at the church having thus concluded. the
procession was reformed and marched to the
site of the new church, where the corner
stone was adjusted with due ceremonies.
The lady members of the congregation had
prepared delightful dinner at Moulder's
Hall, where large number Of persons salts
fed the cravings of the appetite, and con-
siderable sum was realized to be expended in
behalf of the new structure.
ES' De Soto when he visited the shores of
America, soughr long and arduously for the