The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-03-08

Considering her inexpcrience in the free
school system, Missouri Is ahead Of most
States In schools. have been In as good
schools and attended as interesting school
meetings here as anywhere. This may be
because the interest Is lately awakened.
Like new converts In religious Life the
zeal Is greater, from whatever motive 1t
may spring this takes nothing from the
superior character OF their schools.
So probably Of their religion, they are
more jealous but not so strict in discipline
Us tho older organizations Of the East.
And some of the customs among the
orthodox here would shock their old time
brethren OF the East And their worship
may ascend as far as that arising from the
window stained edifces Of Fourth street.
Until lately there has not been single
Church Of the strictest branch Of that
strict body, the United Presbyterians, in
tho State. +.. ..
never shall forget the singing Of that
grand old hymn commencing, "Come
thou tount Of every blessing" by tho Ply
mouth Church Of Brooklyn. From q
thousand or moro voices came the
inspiring tones, accompanied by the
great organ, approaching rs near sub
| Unity aS the human voice could attain,
and almost bursting ones emotions into q
discOrd Of utterance. The next time lhear
this hymn Is from little group gathered
around great stove In a Hard Shell Baptist
Church. The building, shell indeed
dismantled by the war or thOughtless
boys, and an inefficient building in the
first place. In the sermon preceding, the
pastor had exhorted the "brcthCring" as
10 the duty OF FLEEING 70 the mountains Of
HepSterdam, where tho lion roareth not,
and tho whangdoodlc mourncth for her
frst.born." Do not know rs l give the
exact worils-but certainly havC the
sentiment, which seemed 10 me 10 be
mixed little. This parsonage (thc Hard
Shell preacher) / had heard Of, but never
expected to see him in or out Of the flesh.
They, indeed, had roaring and mourn
ing time. Shoutings Of Amen, and calls to
sinners. Evidently imagining, the King
dom Of Heaven was TO be taken by storm.
The corner In which l sat, some appreci.
ativc spirit had marked us "thc devils
corner" This may be the reason ! filled
to be drawn into the circle, But | Ger
tainly enjoyed all, and felt that was
benefitted-0nly sorry that my human
brother should lower himself by his en-
thusiasm in becoming Christian brother.
Yet l was improved, If their singing
was not as correct as that Of tho Plymouth
Church, it certainly made up In strength
as flr as their vocal powers were capable.
witnessed, To me, q new phase Of re-
ligion-always interesting. The sur
rounding associations and memory crowd
ell into my mind many and confused ideas
and emotions. The evening was beauti-
full, though cool, and the stars twinkling
through In many places the sashless win
dows, seemed 10 say that all nature was
smiling outside-ior nature smiles, even
around u Hard Shell Baptist Church.
Their devotions and music may go Us far
before the great Giver, Of all good, as the
quiet bre0things from tho sect in which !
was raised. II so, religion Is harder
shell than nm inclined to crack. But to
return to earth. Fashion moves her train
wherever the pride and taste Of our Cau'
cassian race invite; and l have seen the
greCian bend ornamenting o carleton skirt,
and Chiguon that would do honor to
Filh Avenue lady, in q clapboard cover
ed cabin out West This second story
which the ladies' have adopted 10 their
heads, they call tho "court room" here.
Cannot say why, unless 1t be from SINH
larity In size 10 some Of our Western
court rooms. Yet there Is another mean
ing to the word court, which comes iorci-
bly, to ones mind when speaking Of ladies.
This mayhAve something 10 do with the
story. All these may have given place TO
other fashions, since my start from the
East I shall soon be able to determine,
although had expected to venture into
Arkansas before returning
Yours, BROKER.