Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-02-15
Local Correspondence.
JANEsyILLE. Feb. 9th.

GAINESVILLE, Feb. 9th, 1871.
Mr.. EDIToR:-I have been looking
around and have found rather a pleasant
village here, in the south corner township
of your county. A village which is rapidly
grow ing in population, wealth. intelligence,
and, believe, in morality and religion.
But what l wish to speak about particu
larly is the religious aspect of the place and
people This place has boasted its Tavern
and Store" for many years-things deemed
essential to the life of every country vii
lage-and also its school house, or what may
be called an apology for one, which like
many others in this region, has nothing of
which the School Boards can boast save
want of adaptation and inconvenience
This place has not been entirely without
the preaching of the Gospel, although there
has been no church building here till this
winter. The Beulah Presbyterian church
has erected neat and comfortable church
building and has it finished, furnished and
in use. The cost of this building has mainly
been betrayed by the congregation of Beu-
lah and the inhabitants of GAINESVILLE and
vicinity. They also gratefully acknowl
Tyrone and Fruit HILL On yesterday it was
our privilege to attend communion service
in said church, which was filled with an in
telligent and attentive audience.
1t was refreshing to see Christians of diff
ferent denominations-M Methodists, Bap.
lists, and Lutherans-united with the mem
bers of this church in commemorating the
dying love of our common Lord and Savior.
After these services were over, an appeal
was made 10 the congregation, and the debt
on the church building was cancelled, when
the building was given to the Lord, in a
solemn dedlcatory prayer The Methodist
brethren have erected and enclosed neat
church building, near TO the Presbyterian,
and expect to finish it in the Spring
l cannot close this without speaking OF
the enterprise AMI liberality of the citizens
of this place, prom inent among whom
might name Mr.. j. f., the gentlemanly and
accomplished business manager of the firm
of z. & A F., to whose liberality and en-
terprise the town owes most of its present
prosperity, aud also DR.. L. and Mr.. F., to
whose energy and liberality the Presbyte-
rians are greatly indebted for their neat
house of worship, and also Mr.. s., and
others, TO whom the Methodists owe their
prospects of fine church building, at an
| early day.
| cannot help contrasting the condition OF
this place now with what | saw here ten
years ago. Then lone horse village,
with rum hole-a perfect sink of iniquity.
where the senses were shocked by the bloated
and reeling drunkard-the blasphemous
oaths and obscene jests and songs, which,
with the dance, might be heard far into the
night, and even into the hours of the Sab
bs tn morning.
do not mean that this is ali done away,
| but the change is remarkable, and the future
| prospect encouraging.
I have written more than | intended
when commencing, but you will please ex.
cuse the length, and if you think it would
interest your readers, | may write you again
from this place, or from some other Point
| in your county.
Yours truly, OBSERVER.
Write again.-ED.