Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-06-04

To THE CITIZENS OF STAUNToN AND AUGUSTA
COUNTY:
The undersigned, the Committee on Building
for the Presbyterian Congregation of Staunton,
beg leave respectfully to state %
hat more than two years ago, the Congrega-
ton finding their existing Church edifce made
quate to the accommodation of theiractual num-
bers, much less for growth, and the hospitality
due to strangers, and the building itsefn serious
diapidation, resolved, with great unanmity to
erect new and1arger one. The enterprise was
at once entered upon, and has been prosecuted
with vlgor until ltls now so nearly complete as
to warrant the appointment of neat Sunday 9th
as the day for its public of solemn dedication to
the service of Almighty God. In consequence
of two, or.perhaps three flaws in parts of the
work IN It's progress, it is thought there may ex-
ist in the minds of some an honest doubt and APP
prehension as to the perfect security and stabil-
lty of the work. Two Of these were carefully
examined and pronounced upon by Col. Will
Hanson, the accomplished Professor of Archi-
lecture and Engineering in the Va. Mil. Insti-
tute. He did not behave any serious damage
had occurred but out of abundant caution pre-
scrlbed correctlves, upon the application of
which, he declared over his signature the entire
safety, stability and excellence of the work.
These were promptly supplied, and the commit
tee have the authority of many practical and
experienced mechanics, builders and others that
the walls and roof of this building are probably
not surpassed any where for strength and thor
ough workmanship. So that we are now able to
declare our own conscientious convictions not
merely, but the opinions of very competent and
disinterested judges, that the new church edifce
is in all points of strength and stability thor
oughly reliable. In point of architectural beau
ty of design and finish, it has received already
the hearty encomiums of large number of Wis
tors, both at home and from abroad.
Upon its construction has already been ex-
pended more than Twenty-six thousand ($26,Co
dollars. OF this large sum of money less than
one hundred and fifty dollars have been contrib
uted outside of our own congregation. We think
we may challenge the whole history of church
building in Virginia for parallel to this state
ment. We have not as yet solicited aid from be-
yond our own bounds. But we mean now to do
1t. We think there are good and sufficient rea-
sons even of business character, and without
appealing to those higher motives of christian
brotherhood and benefcence to which we might
with proprety and with confidence make our
appeal. Why, the citizens of Staunton in par
ticular. and measurably the people of Augusta
county, should contribute of their substance,
| material aid to this enterprise.
| Nearly the whole Of twenty-six thousand dol
| lars have been expended amongst you-the con-
| tributions of single one of your town congre-
| Cations and a considerable further sum has yet
! 10 be expended in like manner in the finishing
of and furnishing this new church. This mon
| ely, Of course, has entered and will enter and
permeate all the channels of trade and reach the
sources of production. The result of all will be
| the addition to your city of house of worship
| creditabe to the congregation, creditable to the
city itself and furnishing another attraction to
strangers visiting our beautiful Valley of Vir-
| ginia.
But a somewhat heavy debt rests on us, and
yet if our people shall have only caught little
of that public spirit and ardent zeal which SO
strikingly marked and characterized the chris
| tan association recently met in Staunton, we
feel confident that this whole debt can and easily
may be wiped out by the contributions of those
who have not yet been applied to.
At the dedication services, both morning and
afternoon of next Sabbath, opportunity will be
offered by printedsubscripton lists handed round
by the deacons Of receiving subscriptions All
proposed contributions Of any magnitude can be
| set down on these papers. Small sums las OF
five dollars and under) may as well be put into
| the boxes at the time
/ We presume that every one of our people,
even those who have hitherto taxed themselves
the most heavily, young and old, rich and poor
will feel like bringing in their hands some thank
offering, be it great small, to testify their graf
! itude to our Heavenly Father, for having suffer
ed and enabled us to bring our work SO near to
completion. All which is respectfully submitted
VIM FRAZIER,
DAVIS A KAYSER
JNO w abby,
/ Building Committee.