Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-06-05

COMMENCEMENT SERMON OF THE AUGUSTA
FEMALE SEMINARY.-On last Sunday evening
the annual com mencement sermon of the eau.
gusta Female Seminary was preached in the
First Presbyterian Church to large audience
by Rev. f. P. Mutually, the lately installed Pas
tor of the Presbyterian Church of Lexington
Va.
The sermon was an able one, the theme ap.
propriate to the occasion, and the manner of its
presentation eloquent earnest, and impressive
The theme was the value and advantages O.
knowledge, but more particularly the precious
ness of the knowledge of Christ. The text
which furnished the basis of this admirable
sermon was the language of st. Paul as given in
the Sth verse of the Bird chapter Of Philippians
Yea. doubtless, and count all things but
loss for the eXcellency of the knowledge o.
Christ Jesus my Lord.'
The number of schools in the country and the
care which parents take to have their children
ledge as is acquired in the schools is generally
appreciated, but, alas, many stop with the
knowledge Of earthly things, and neglect that
higher and more important knowledge which
reveals God. The mind which can weigh the
heavenly bodies and comprehend the laws
which govern their revolutions in their orbits
and can paint.with the sunbeam, and subject
to practical uses the subtle agencies of nature
and make the lightnings of the skies messengers
communication from continent to continent
is immortal.
knowledge and life so together not only in
this world, but in the future world. There is NO
knowledge which imparts pleasure in this
world, which does not exist to a higher degree
in the world to come.
The most Wit lily Importance Of all knowledge
| is that of Christ in comparison with which all
| other knowledge should be counted as worth
less. All things are created by Him and for
Him-He is the Creator and preserver Of all
things. and all is for His glory. The beauty, the
power, and the wisdom Of Christ are for all who
get proper knowledge of Him.
The effect OF this knowledge is to confer peace
hope, and joy, and it transforms the possessors
Of it into the likeness of God. In closing he
made solemn appeal to the pupils ofthe school
to acquire a true knowledge of Christ. and men,
| toned case, illustrating the influence they
| might exert, which fell under his own observa-
| ton, in which a female pupil who had become
to know Christ whilst a: school, saved by her
influence, her father, a man of wealth. intelli-
gence, and high social position, from the doom
| Of the gambler and drunkard to which he was
Fastening, till checked and arrested and saved
| by her intercession. Though she has gone to
another world, the saving influence she exert
ed is still eflicaccus, and the father will be able
| torejoin her in u land Of bliss when the silver
cord shall be loosened and his spirit shall take
its flight from its earthly prison
| THE CHURCHES LAST SABBATu.-In the First
Presbyterian church, the sermons, morning and
evening, were preached by Rev F. P. Mutually,
| n n fIaI ..fn lad Dnc
terrain church Of Lexington. In the morning,
he gave in a graphic manner the interesting,
dramatic story of Queen Esther, and deduced
| the important lessons it involved.
In the evening, he preached the commence
ment sermon of"Augusta Female Seminary
the subject being the value of knowledge, and
more especially the knowledge of Christ-and
the text being portion of the Sth verse of the
| Bird chapter of Philippians:
| "Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency Of the knowledge OF
Christ Jesus my Lord.'
| The June Offering In the morning amounted
to the handsome sum of 81 500, one thousand
dollars ofwhch will be applied towards the
payment of the debt on the church and the
balance to current expenses. This is not only n
large, but liberal, congregation and always
| responds handsomely to demands upon it. One
member contributed the liberal sum Of $500.
| In the Episcopal, Methodist, Second Presby
terrain, and Lutheran Churches the regular SER
vices were held by their respective Pastors. In
the Baptist Church. no services were held, the
Pastor, Rev. DR.. Manly being absent in attend
ance upon the Baptist General Association at
Danville.
| Communion service will be held in the Luth-
| eran Church next Sunday.
| The Second Presbyterian Church will be de-
dictated next sabbath, The dedieatory sermon
will be preached by Rev. F. p. Mutually, D. D.
| There will be services in that church Wednes-
day, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights of
this week.
| PROPERTY SALEs.-The Mozart Institute ,
building of this city, which cost, it is ssid S3S,
600, was sold at public sale on last Tuesday by
E. NJ. Cushing. Aaotioneer. at only SlO,750-the
purchaser being Mr.. D. j. Hartsook, of Rich
ton Insurance Co.
On Thursday, the mansion house tract of Maj.
J. M. McCue, near Mt. Scion, containing l3l
acres, was sold at public auction by E. NJ. Cush-
ing. Auctioneer. for Meade f. White, Jas. Bum
gardner Jr., and Judge ]. Fl. McCue, Comm'rs
for $SS per acre, to James II. and Preston Todd
az acres were sold for Fl. W. ShefTey, Trustee
at S5l per acre, to Jas q. Neal, of Philadelphia
% acres at 500. to Jas E. Neal. and a mountain
tract of 800 acres to same at 81 ,205.
On Thursday, w. A. Cushing, Auctioneer, for
A. H. Fultz Ex'or., sold the tract of land, con
tanning 235 acres of which David Hupman died
seized, on the Churchville road, miles from
Staunton. It was sold in two parcels. one o.
which containing 1929 acres, was sold to David
Hupman at S25 per acre, and the other, contain
ing 1929 acres to w. L. Hupman at SIG per acre
On Friday, in front of the Courthouse, E. M
Cushing, Auctioneer, sold for Elder and White
Com'rs. a tract of mountain land near Craigs-
vile, containing 6i4 acres, for $40, to Jno. T.
Shields.
At the same timo and PLACE the Ga1ae auc.
tioneer, SOLD for Vim. A. Anderson and Geo. NJ
Cochran. Jr Com rs, the tract Of land on Mid
die, River known as the Sterritt Farm contain
ing 1859 acres, to Fielding Whtmore at SIS pei
acre.
E. M. Cushing, auctioneer. sold on last Sat
urday, for S. Traverse Phillips, trustee, a lo1
on Green street, 32X129 feet, to Mr.. A. X. Phil.
lips, of Fredericksburg for sl25.
Also, lot on the extension Of EfeaaFill
street. to sanla purchaser, for S2sV.
EXCURSION TO WASHINGTON FROM STAUN-