The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-01
VIRGINIA NEWS.
LETTER FRom.RoAN0KE. !,

tawba Valley 4Crops. Fish Culture Red Sui
phur Springs Pastoral Call Accepted, &c.
Especial correspondence or the Dispatch.
Hol.IINs INSTITUTE, ROANOKE. Cod !.
:,s.....a r.ss july 81. 1871. II / -
There are few more delightful sectibfs of
country than this, and few more beautiful
places in tho mountains than ,Hollins Tnsti-
tule. located ut ~Botetourt Springs. There
are here now very pleasant company of
seventy. five or eighty. mostly ladies and
children, who seem delighted with the
management Of tho place and everything
about 1t. 81 - t'. "'' #. - -
Years ago these springs were a favorits
place of resort, and their waters In high re-
pute. But since they were converted into
u school for young ladies they are not OPEN
cd to the general public, but only during
the summer vaeation) to girls proposing to
attend the school. their friends. aud d few
other select families. Aud yet We have
visited no other watering place where the
guests are made more comfortable" 49,
The waters are very fine white SULPHUR,
chaly bcatc. and alum, and have proved OF,
most decided benefit both to the young
ladies' attending the school ana to the su m
mcr visitors. ........ +,
IlollinS Institute, under, the able and eff
ticcnt management of Prof. G. l.. Cooke
and his accomplished corps of assistants,
is certainly one Of the best institutions for
1.-THE education of girls on the continent.
The buildings are the handsomest and best
adapted TO their purpose OF those Of any
similar institution with which we are &C.
claintcd. The course Of instruction. in its
wide range and thoroughness is rarely
cmlalled, and we speak from the most am
| pie opportunity of Judging when we say
that in all of the elements of a first-class
ttpmale seminary IIollins Institute is with
out a superior, and has very few, ii any,
Iequais. s...-..,
Ifrom the " Ministers. DeacOns', and ). 5.
Institute" of the Valley Baptist AsSocia-
; ton, which has become an Institution III
this section. 1t is composed of the minis
tiers. deacons, and Sunday school slperin-
ltendents of the churches of the Valley AS.
lsociatjou. who meet the Thursday be-
fore every fifth Sunday to discuss various
questions in theology, embracingthe whole
. range of doctrine and practice among Bap-
l fist churches. These meetings have stead
lily grown in numbers and interest, and
Ehayc become Il power throughout this
twhoIe region, increasing the scriptural
knowledge and developing the activity Of
the churches.
II The present meeting was at Catawba
!, Church, in this county, and was in mauy
respects the most interesting one that has
been held. .-.... ..... H.,
The congregations were large all the
time, and seemed deeply interested in the
ESSAYS and discussions. .-,.
There was especial interest elected by Il
discussion of the question, 80 Is it right for
: Christians to 90 to law?" The cssayi>t
I(Deacon l.. r. Hardly took the ground that
it is not only wrong for Church members to
60 to law with each other, but that they
should neither institute nor defend il suit
with men of the world.
| Those who opposed the essay contended
that, while it is wrong for Christians to 90
to law with each other Except in friendly
lsuts to determine rights, and while all liti-
CATION should he discouraged Especially by
fulfilling the Scriptural Injunction, - Owe
no man anythng,") yet that eases might
arise in which Christians may properly sue
or be sued.
After Il full and spirited discussion, the
whole question was referred to commit
ftee, of which Major j. W. Johnston, the
deficient moderator of the body, was made
lchairmap, to report to the next session.
| Another subject which ELECTED very
lanimated discussion was an essay on the
lqucstion, sis the Church. the only tempe
france society which Christian may prop
lerly join!"
The essay took the position that while the
Church is the only society recognized in the
sScriptures, that just rs 4 church member
may properly unite with a missionary or
Ecolportaoe society, so he may also join
Temperance society. 1t argued that tempe
trance societies were needed to reach those
outside of the church, and even many
church members who tipplc, and are lot
disciplined.
Those who opposed the essay were all
decided in their condemnation of intem-
perancc, and in asserting that I'LL proper
efforts TO arrest it should be employed, but
commended that the Church is sufficient to
meet the evil.
After Il protracted discussion Casting un-
til liz o'clock on Saturday night the essay
was adopted, and the leader of the OPPOSE
ton ut once offered 4 resolution to the eff
feet that the association should withdraw
Fellowship from any churches that might
refuse to discipline members guilty of
f.! drunkenness.
This resolution was unanimously passed.
| Other ESSAYS elected warm discussion and
deep interest, but we will not trcSpaSs upon
Iyour Space TO give the details. a stranger
might think that these discussions were at
times little too warm, but there is rarely
much difference of opinion when the queS-
ton is brought to Il vote, and never any
after-ill feeling because of even the hardest
hits in debate. ,...
On Yesterday Sunday an immense con-
gregation assembled, and the services had
to be held out Of doors. Rev. j. VIM. Jones
preached in the morning and Rev. &. Gray
in the afternoon. At 8 O'Clock there was Il
Sunday-school mass-meeting, which .was
addressed by Rev. j. r. Harrison. Maj. j.
| W. Johnston, and Rev. l.. L. Fellows.
Prof. G. l.. Cooke made some very timely
remarks after the morning service. Oh, .
| We have never seen more attentive out
door congregation. -
which is about thirty miles long and from
one to two miles wide. 1t is one Of the
most fertile valleys we have ever seen. The
crops Of corn are splendid. Great atten-
ton seems to be paid to raising fine cattle,
and we have never seen trees more literally
loaded with apples.
Not far from the church is the Roanoke
| Red Sulphur Springs, which has extensive
| buildings, and is a very beautiful place. 1t
is not now regularly kept, but the cabins
are rented out to families who desire them,
aud there is quite gathering there from
| the county AMI elsewhere. ."4 -: T..
| We were shown where IN immense rock
recently started from its bed, on one of the
highest peaks of the mountains, and rushed
into the valley below, clearing wide road
as it crashed through even the largest trees.
| The citizens OF Cataw ba Valley seem to
anticipate the "Flsh Culture" COMMITTEE
| of the Legislature, and are arranging to
! stock their streams with trout and other
| fish. -. So ,.. :
The Valley Baptist Association meets at
Enon Church, near uOllins Institute, on
| the 10th Of next month. A large attend
ance is anticipated.
I I IF Nplsnn