The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-04

| To uue aO0Ve-tQcllClO0cd mlIeS, 90 IllleS Vi
| this road are already finished and being
worked. Yours very truly, L. t. NJ.
SABBATH SCHOOLS interest mani
tested in the cause Of Sabbath Schools in
this city and county, may be stimulated by
reading the following beautiful and eloquent
tribute to the usefulness from one of the
greatest of American minds. The letter
was published in the Presbyterian Weekly,
furnished by Mr.. Alexander Carter, of the
Third National Bank of Baltimore. 1t was
originally addressed to Rev. Mr.. Peace, of
the Five Points Sunday School, New York,
and dated at Mansfield, June Is, 1852.
81 have received your very able and in
teresting annual report of the condition of
the New York Sabbath School Association,
and read it with great pleasure and instruc-
ton. 1t is gratifying, very gratifying, to
learn that in city where vice and immoral
ity run riot with IMMUNITY, few humble
Christians have devoted their time and en-
ergies to the cause OF region, and fervent-
ly pray that your iabors may be crowned
with success. N
The Sabbath School is one of the great
institutions of the day. 1t leads our youth
in the path of truth and morality, and
makes them good men and useful citizens.
As school of religious instruction it is of
inestimable value. AS civil institution,
it is priceless. 1t has done more to pre-
serve our liberties than grave statesmen and
armed soldiers. Let it, then, be fostered
and preserved until the end of time.
once defended man charged with the
awful crime of murder. At the conclusion
of the trial asked him what could have in
duced him to stain his hands with the blood
OF fellow being. Turning his blood-shot
eyes full upon me. he replied: "Mr. Web
ster. in my youth spent the holy Sabbath
in evil amusements, instead of frequenting
the house Of prayer and praise"
Could we go back to the early years of all
hardened criminals, believe, yes, firmly
believe, that their subsequent crimes might
then be traced back to the neglect of youth
full religious instruction.
Many years ago I spent Sabbath with
Thomas Jefferson at his residence in Viz
ginia. 1t was in the month of June, and
the weather was delightful. While en-
gagged in discussed the beauties of the Bible,
the sound of bell broke upon our ears
Turning to the sage of Monticello, L re-
marked: 'How sweetly, how very sweet
l., a., that Go hho ~, holl
The distinguished statesman for mo-
ment seemed lost in thought, and then re-
piled "Yes, my dear Webster yes it melts
the heart, it Gains our passions, and makes
us boys again."
Here l observed that man was an animal
formed for religious worship; and That,
Notwithstanding the sophistry OF Epicurus
Lucretius, and Voltaire, the Scriptures
stood upon rock as firm, as unmovable,
as truth itself; that man, in his purer, loft
Ter breathing turned the mental eyes to-
wards immortality and that the poet only
echoed the general sentiment of our nature
in saying: FA
The soul. secure in her existence, smiles
AT lQ6 QfaWu OdHSers anu uelitS us poluI' W
Mr.. jefferson fully concurred in this opin-
ion, and observed that the tendency of the
American mind was in different direction,
and thai the Sunday school The did not use
our more correct word, Sabbath presents
the only legitimate means. under the Con"
stitution, of avoiding the rock on which the
French Public was wrecked.
s'Burke,'' said he, ''never uttered more
important truth that when he exclaimed
that religious education was the cheap de-
fence of nations. Raikes has done more for
our country than the present generation
will acknowledge. Perhaps when I am
cold he will obtain his reward. l hope so,
l earnestly hope so. am considered, Mr..
Webster, to have little religion; have al
ways said, and always will say, that the
studious perusal of the sacred volume will
the distinguished Raikes-he was clarum ct
venerable nomen.'
Itcok the liberty of saying that l found
more pleasure in Hebrew poetry than in the
ucsG VI 0iOCSO anu AsOuAo3 oA'eso
the sharp upon the willows by Babylon
had charms for me beyond any thing in the
numbers of the blind man or Smyrna. then
turned to Jeremiah, there was fine folio of
the Scriptures before me of 1855 and read
aloud some of those sublime passages that
used to delight me ON my fathers knee.
But fear, my dear friend, 1 shall tire
you with my prolix account of what was
pleasant Sabbath spent in the company Of
one who has filled a very large space in our
political and literary annals.
Thanking you for your report, and hearth
~ eoncurring with you in the truth in your
quotation, that Righteousness exalteth a
nation, but sin is reproach to any peo-
ple,'' remain, with high regard, your
friend,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA.-On
May 9TH a special edition of the Washington
Republic will be first issued, for circulation
in the Virginias, which will contain all the
latest political, social and other news of Vir-
ginia and West Virginia. In each issue will
be given carefully prepared article upon
the mineral or agricultural resources OF
these States. This article will be published
:. ol,; of tEa