The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-09-21

DEATH OF Miss SERENA C. WILLIAMS
The announcement of the death of Miss Sc
rena C. Williams, which occurred in Balti-
more on Saturday last, will carry sorrow to
many, many hearts in Staunton. To few,
indeed, had been vouchsafed so many natu-
raj endowments, and fewer still had cultiya-
ted them as size. Nature had been lavish,
and yet not one Of her gifts had been abused.
TO rare beauty Of person had been added a
fertility of intellect. a depth of character and
an amiabiity of disposition, which blended
into the pcrfectsymmctry of true womanhood
and stamped their possessor as one whom to
know was to respect, to esteem, to love-
She was one of those rare beings who by con-
tact with the world, elevate it; to whom
men instinctivcly look up, and seem to grow
brighter rs they gaze.
Here, where she was known and loved so
well. where her brilliant accomplishments
and noble qualities of heart had drawn
around her so many friends and admirers,
she will be missed, sadly missed, bat what
words can express the grief of that house,
hold she was wont to gladden. and brighten
in the hour Of JOY, and to sooth and solacc
meath aifliction' s touch There, in the home
circle, the true nobility of her nature was
more conspicuously revealed, and there, too,
those nameless graces which tell of affection,
tenderness, the culture OF the finer SENSIBLE
tiles, the deeper instincts OF the soul, found
daily, hourly expression. And, now, she
who was tie light of that household, the CEN
trail figure of that home circle, and around
whom its affections so warmly clustered, has
passed from the scenes of earth into that
''houso not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens" May mercifnl God temper this
affiicton to those who were near and dear
to her. a
AN APPEAL FOR CHARITY.-Th terrible
visitation, yellow fever, which has recently
afflicted the fair Southern city of Savannah,
has occasoned the greatest destitution
and distress. No one who has read the heart
rendering accounts Of want that come to lis
from that section, can fail to sympathize
deeply with those afflicted ones, and ito one,
We trust, will fail to respond. to the appeal
which has been directly addressed to the
citizens of StauntoE in the following letter,
received on Monday by DR.. r. S. Hamilton,
President of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION:
SAVANNAH Gu. Asso., Sept II, 1876.
Having hoped and trusted that that fearful and
pearance some two weeks SINCE would have been
overcome or dlssipated, and that there would be
no actual need for us to appeal to the charity and
city, we are now constrained to ASK help in CO.
operating with the Savannah Benevolent Asso-
ciation' in their mission of mercy. The fearful
amount Of suffering and want, consequent upon.
hard times, and now greatly aggravated by the
presence of this terrible epidemic, calls for our
largest charities. In view OF the foregoing facts,
the Savannah Christian Association make this ap-
peal to kindred associations in our own and adj
joining States, to come to the help of suffering
and plague-strickep city. Everything that aus
tains life, or promote the comfort of the suf-
care. is needed to relieve the pressing wants OF
our suffering poer There are fully two months,
through which we viii have to combat the fell de-
stroyer.
We feel assured we will not apr cal in vain, and
in proportion as the Lord has prOSpered and
blessed your communities, so do unto us in our
hour of sore distress. We pray you take prompt
your charities in behalf of suffering pc ople. We
invoke the blessings OF the All-Giyer upon you
and yours. G. N. SAUSSY,
President Savannah Christian Association.
The relief committee Of the Y. NJ. C. A. of
this city: Messrs. B. I. Bagby, J. Waters,
J. Il. Mcdowell, j. E. Guy, G.P Baker and
G. Euritt, will receive any contributions
which our citizens may feel disposed to ten
der, or any amount left with J. w. Todd
at his store Oh Augusta street. will be prop
erly applied. 1t is hoped that q seryiceable
contribution may be collected by Monday
evening, at which time it will be forwarded.
1t has been suggested, and it is very prob
able, that collections will be taken up in
the churches on Sabbath next, in the morn
ing hour. The ministers can at least call
attention to the steps taken by the Y. NJ. C.
A., and inform the congregation with whom
con tributions may be left