Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-31
For the Spectator
Suggestion in Reference to Bible Societies.

MCDOWELL, March 2l, 1868.
MEssRs. EDITORS Having noticed in the
Staunton papers of this week an account OF the
organization of your County Bible Society, and
in the Central Presbyterian an account OF the
Wythe County Bible Society in addition, pro-
pose to give you short history of the High
land County Bible Society to be regarded in the
character of suggestion, and though the source
and locality of the operations may be regarded
in Augusta somewhat after the fashion that
Paul says his appearance and speech were, yet
the suggestion may be OF service there or else
where.
In 1857, Mr.. John Sitlington, of Highland,
conceived the idea of procuring through the
agency of the commissioner OF the revenue the
names of persons destitute of the Bible. MIR.
Chew, the commissioner, feared the question
might by possibility give offence to some Mr..
Stlington then suggested that where there was
a probability of destitution a Bible could be ask
ed for to enable the commissioner to qualify the
individual to his schedule, and in that way the
desired information could be obtained without
suspicion. By this means, the names OF the
destitute were obtained, and the plan was en-
tirely satisfactory, Mr.. Chew furnishing list
of the destitute to the officers of the society
During the past winter, MIR. Sitlington enter
tanned the idea there then existed Bible destitu
ton within the county, and conferred with the
Rev. Stephen Smith, and the Rev. w. L. Price,
and the Rev. w. j. Price with our commission
er, Mr. O.. Wilson, and the plan of operation
is as follows:
Mr.. Wilson, in his book of registry and list
ing subjects liable to taxation, has added col
umn and headed it with bible, and when he
assesses an individual, after having obtained the
information required in his official capacity, he
then unoficially enquiries for Bible, the num-
ber and description of the Bibles and Testa-
ments, and in this way correct list OF the des-
titution, and the number and size of the Bibles
and Testaments in the county are obtained, and
the Individual destitution having been ascertain
ed the object desired is accomplished, and the
supplying of the destitute rendered compara-
lively easy by means and agencies within the
reach of almost all county organizations. This
plan, we believe, requires less labor, less money,
and the destitute more perfectly supplied than
is almost ever accomplished by any other
method. HIGHLAND.
Don't stay long, husband!'' said a young
bride tendery in my presence one evening, as
her husband was preparing to go out. The
| words themselves were insignificant but the
| look of melting tenderness with which they were
accompanied spoke volumes. lttOld the whole
| vast depth of woman love-of her grief when
the light of his smile the source of all her joy,
beamed not brightly upon her. :
Don't stay long, husband 7 and fancied
[ saw the loving, gentle wife, sitting alone, anx-
iously counting the moments OF her husbands
absence, every few moments running to the
door to see if he was not in sight, and finding
that he was not, thought | could hear her
exclaiming in disappointed tones, mot yet. y
Don't stay long, husband y and /! again
thought [ could see the young wife rocking ner.
vously in her great arm chair, weeping as tho,
her heart would break, as her thoughtless lord
and master prolonged his stay to Wearlsome
length of time. az,
''Oh, you that have wives to say-"dont
stay long, when you go forth, think OF them hen?
kindly when you are mingling in the busy hive
of life, and try just little to make their homes
and hearts happy, for they are gems too seldom
replaced. You cannot find amid the pleasures
of the world, the peace and joy that quiet
home, blessed with such woman's presence,
will afford.
s'Don't stay long, husbandl',, and the young
wife's look. seemed to say-for here in your own
sweet home is loving heart whose music is
hushed when you are absent-here is a soft
breast to lay your weary head upon, and her
pure lips unsoiled by sin, that will pay you kis-
ses for coming back so soon.