The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-21
How an English Clergyman Reformed the
Morals Of a Community,

Moncure d. Conway, writing from Lon.
don to the Cincinnati Commercial, says:
There has just come to my knowledge
an instance of the moral effect which NAV
be produced by making the Sunday attrac-
tive to the minds and tastes of the poor,
which may interest some of your philan-
thropists. A clergymen of the Church of
England, the Rev. Frederick Silver, was
appointed twenty-five years ago to par
ish in Shropshire, called Norton-in- Hales.
This parish was noted for drunkenness,
Iawlessness, and every species of vice which
is harvested from general ignorance. b..
Being man of some means, as well as
Of good sense, he determined to make
bold stroke to compete with the gin-shops
for the interest of the roughs on Sundays.
Sunday, he perceived, was the very worst
day in the week, Satan always finding
plenty of mischief for the idle hands of the
Nortonisns on that day. Some suggested
prayer-meetings, and others ritualistic en-
tertainments. But the rector conceived
another idea. For many weeks there
were seen going up to his door large and
peculiar boxes and cases, which greatly ex-
cited the curiosity Of his neighbors.
Then he purchased the largest suit of
rooms be could get in the town. After the
curious cases had been coming for month
or two, 10! the people of Norton-in-H ales
were one morning astonished by the APP
pearaEce of play cards on every wall, and
on the trees far away in the country, an
nouncing that Mr.. Silver has made up q
museum, and that it would be open to the
public throughout the following Sunday Of
ternoon! The dissenting parsons groaned;
the deacons were dumb the roughs rub
bed their eyes. On Sunday they first
crowded to hear the Rev. Frederick Silver
preach. AY u EEast
He inodestly related how he had recog-
nized, as he believed, the chief need of the
town, and why he had resolved to collect a
museum. In the afternoon they crowded
to the museum. They saw there over one
hundred capital paintings, among them
works by Carlo Dolce, Del Piombo, Gu
racci, Westall, Hogarth, N. Poussin, Wou-
vermans, Gainsborough, Landseer. They
saw model of the Alhambra in Spain !;
| specimens Of cocoons at work, and the 500
colors silk can take; fine model Of
an elephant, taken from q palace in
Delhi during the mutiny; cases of
English coins from William the Con-
| queror to Queen Victoria; antique
| watches and jewelry case Of remarkas
BILE autographs of great men; noble or
astrological collection, including thirty
two fine Australian specimens !; whole
room filed with the costumes, boots and
shoes, nets, implements, weapons, &c., of
New Zealand, Madagascar, North America,
Africa, China and India. They saw Crom.
| wells sword, But must not try to give
you Mr.. Silyer's catalogue, which implied
that the good man devoted his whsle means
to his project, and no doubt levied contribu-
| tons upon important sources. Well, this
thing has gone on for fifteen years; the
result is that there is no seat in Mr.. Silver's
church unoccupied, but his museum has
revolutionized the community in Norton-in-
Hales. ! saw, not long ago, Shropshire
paper which declares that the rector found
that parish $50 lawless that its name had
obtained notoriety, and that it is now
one of the happest communities in Eng
land" The cottages are SO large and SO
handsome that travellers ask, "Where do
has risen, a new medical dispensary, and a
library. 49, 81
The rector's church had to be rebuilt to
hold the large crowd, and during the work
he was in the habit of aiding it with his
own hands. This is the way Sabbath.
breaking has demoralized the Nortonians
who are SO infatuated that they recently
held a festival in honor Of their rector
whom they declared by resolutions, "the
leader in every good work which could
promote he,iutellectual and moral charac
ter Of the people. Y IL all rectors were
4 Ike SILVER, we should hear little talk o
Disestablishment. 49, vs. Is -
Il g. = 40 -