The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1870-05-13
DAY oF FASTING AND PRAYEE-AD-
DRESS OF CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.

R1cuxoNp, Mays 4.--To-day the
churches were filled and the city pre-
sented a Sabbath appearance. All the
churches were crowded.
In the United States Circuit Court
to-day the Chief Justice of the United
states, at the meeting Of the court. III
respouse TO the resolutions OF the Rich
MAID bar regarding the late calamity,
said .sHumal. emotions are but poor
lv expressed by words. When the first
vague rumor OF the terrible event in
this oity, which has been so fitly named
the great calamity, went through the
land, a few days ago, all hearts ielt
shack like that of 4 sudden and awful
ncrsoual bereavement. Then. as the
tiJings came more distinctly over the
wires and the fearful disaster took
shane and form in the minds OF the
people, it seemed for a time to Cypress
all hearts like night mare. The pulse
OF life throbbed heavily, and human Ut
terance failt under the crushing SEN
salon of sorrow which peryaded the
land Soon the currents OF feeling De-
gan TO flow. and now for many days
| heartfelt expressions ofcOndolence anu
substantial manifestations of sympathy
have been flowing towards Kichmohd
like a great tide, No right-minded and
true hearted man can hel feetlng TINS
vast development ut unafieciing good
will, so strikingly devoid OF everything
like sectional or party feeling, rs one
OF those CLEAN. OF radiance wllicn III
Gods good providence so oiten brigh-
ten the Lai kest clouds of human GRIEF.
When two days since, We toek our seats
upon this bench, our eyes and hearts
alike missed familiar faces from the
bar Let IFS thank God that those
whose voices were oftenest heard mere
vet survive, May the Great Ply s!cian
comfort their sorrowuig ho,iseholdfanu
1--WE them speedy and complete restor-
alton. But there we've other members
of the bar who will never again join in
honorable contentious. One has gone
in the ripened iul.ness of honored
years; another with the distinctions OF
of his profession clustering thckly up
on him, having already won those
heights Of public estimation from which
the ascent to the highest seemed easy
and sure; another younger yet mature
treading with firm steps the upward
paths OF usefulness and honor. How
terribly does such a calamity as this
rebuke our vain expectations How
impressivcly does it admonlsh every
one OF us To look beyond the shadows
} of time to the realities of eternity! IL
is said that among those dying ant
crushed III der that mass OF RUNS there
we're some who could yet exchanges
lew faint words in that fearfulspiace
None of them VIII eh have been rescued
have impressed me SO much Us that o
enc mangled and broken ifterer VII.
still found strength to exclaim: "Ol
grave. where is thy victory? Oh deatl
where is thy sting! !" What triumph
was that ? What testimony TO TN
incompa able worth OF the Christian
faith So in tho very depth OF TIM
awful distress and anguish. opel
springs of human sympathy and foin
tains Of the sublinest heavenly com
fort. Let us take these lessons to ou
:. hearts.
"This Is day of humiliation ant
prayer. The churches will be fille'
with worshippers. Let us carry int
them not merely the burden of sorrow
but also the consultations oil faith, eve
remembering that all Is God. if it
but wave his hands the rains collect
! the winds blow shriil. aud leud. unit
with smile OF light on sea aud land
'Lo. h. looks back from the departing
Clouds. His will be DONE