Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-04-26
Letter nom 1t. Sidney.
Regular Correspondence

Letter from 1t. Sidney
Irregular Correspondence.
MT. SIDNEY, April BIRD. 1881.
MEssRs. EDITORS I'VE learn that a few re.
ligiously disinterested and outside parties are
INDUCING in frenzical expressions regarding
our suggesting the advisability of having the
Parsonage removed here. Regardless Of theil
cackling, in the eyes of all intelligent people
this town is the more suitable location for the
Parsonage, and that, in their opinion, there wal
not a single sentence in cur former article upon
that subject at which any one. viewing 1t In the
proper light, could have taken offence, as the
words were suggestive and the tone persuasive
We thank the many persons who have. in
our absence. defended our course, and the many
others who have 80 readily told us that we can
well afford to treat all that has been said about
us with silent contempt, which proves that oul
character is too pure and uns ullied to be tar
nished by anything that may be written about
us; our position too high and well known to
need a vindication at our hands.
For the benefit of all such abnormals and
'once for all, we shall appropriate the present
occasion to defining our position in references
to newspaper controversies.
AS correspondent, we deem it our duty tc
write upon such topics rs will tend TO build ur
and improve our town, by suggesting, not die
tating. how those ends can best be accom-.
plished, and its religious and commercial in.
terests enhanced. We shall write as though we
were but casual observer, ignoring the fact that
our welfare is alike linked with that of our citi-
zens. At all times, we shall treat every one
with due courtesy, couch our opinions in plain
words and expressive sentences, let them "hit
whom they may.
We shall not be deferred from this course
nor the furtherance Of those aims. no matter
what petty, superficial, obscure, and impudent
scribblers may say about uf, for we do not in.
tend that our utterances shall be governed by
distorted minds and muddled brains, whose
only satisfaction and delight is in the down.
fall and ruin of all that is honorable, valuable.
noble, and true. They may writhe in anger
and give vent to their glittering PHYSIOLOGY
and hurl their leaden thoughts at US, but un-
moved and unsecured we shall pursue the even
tenor Of our way, needless of their mass Of YER
biage, unmindful Of their existence. So far as
we are concerned. we do not care what any one
may say about us; for Of the truth we are not
ashamed. and a lie Its own executioner. We
have neither the time. nor disposition, to notice
the little articles that have been, and perhaps
may yet be, written about us, for 1t does not
require man Of very fine acumen to discern
that they are, as general thing, but the viru-
lent outcropping of some passionate, envious,
petulant pedant, whose high-sounding phrases
have about az much substance in them as their
authors buzzing head-as nOnsenical as they
are disgusting, even too silly to be ridiculous
We feel that our course will be admired and
commended by all intelligent and right-mind-
ed persons and for the vigorous wranglings of
the other class we do not care.
Truth crushed to earth will rise again,
The eternal years of God are hers;
But Error wounded writhes in pain,
And dies amid his worshippers."
ReiQious.-The pulpit of the Methodist church
here was occupied on last Sunday evening, at
O'Clock, by Rev. Alexander Sprunt, Pastor of
the Augusta church. Subject: 'Confessing
Christ" Text: st. Matthew, 10th chapter, 32nd
and SSrd vesrses.
The sermon was very fine one, giving in a
clear and concise manner the great necessity Of
confessing Christ at all times.
The principal feature of the discourse was to
show how easy a thing it is to confess Christ
around the death-bed, when all is still and the
soul is about to take its eternal flight to the
unknown; or In fellowship when you are in
company with your co-believer, but the great
trial is when you are mingled with the worldly,
surrounded by the scoffers of religion and
all that is sacred in the midst Of Satan's fol-
lowers, amid the clang of voices and the howls
of the wicked, as they revel in all the iniquity
akin to fiendish natures if you are called upon,
or If it is your duty to do so, calmly kneel in
their presence, and ask God to protect you and
convert the sinner npon whose brow is written
the scowl Of defiance, whose face is contorted
<,f I,rfv-
liantly flash with the hope of revenge. If you
are but sincere in your petitions, God will ac-
knowledge, take care of, and bless you, for
Christ has said that, whatsoever. therefore.
shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven"
We hope that Mr.. Sprunt will preach for us
as often as he can leave his work, and we give
him a cordial invitation to do SO at any time
convenient to him, assuring him that the en-
tire membership here will be glad to attend
any appointment he may make.
The pulpit was also filled at night by Rev.
Geo. W. Rubbish. young man of promising
ability and usefulness. who has but very re-
Gently adopted as his work Of life the calling
of his Savior. Mr.. Rubbish was born and raised
near this place, and bids fair to be credit to
onr community, a shining light among the
followers of Jesus, and instr umental in bring
ing souls to Christ. He breaches well for one
SO young and inexperienced, evincing jealous
spirit and untiring labor in the advancementof
religion, and in fulfilling the mandates Of his
Master.
The Sunday School at this place was re-organ-
lied last Sunday by the cleo ton Of the follow
ing officers: ]. P. Shumake, Superintendent;
w. F. Weller, Assistant Superintendent; j. W.
Watson, Secretary; ]. W. Ross, Librarian.
We do not wish 10 appear In the role of an
egotist but we desire to call the attention of the
officers and teachers of the school to our article
upon this subject, which appeared In the issue
of the 9Th inst.
That article was not written In haste, but af-
ter long and careful watching of the workings
of the school, You have been told how you
have done your work, and now candidly we
tell you that unless you change your course,
the marasmus of indifference will consume
the last vestige of your school, and you are and
will be held accountable to God for the way in
which you have and will conduct the school in
the future. Officers, teachers, parents, scholars,
give that article a careful perusal, act upon
some. If not all. of the suggestions contained
therein. and may heaven help you to conduct
the school 1t should be- that at least 1t will
rebound to the honor and glory of God, by
the salvation and ultimate redemption of the
precious souls for which Jesus died to save.
Personals.-Misses Sallie and Jennie Bell
formerly Of this place, but now at Fairfield
Va, were few days since visiting friends here.
Mr.. BENZ. Long, of Harrisonburg, accompa-
MED by his son Newton. Of the Register Office,
spent last Sunday in town.
Land.-Mr. j. W. Shumake having, orccrtain
reasons, declined to comply with the terms of
the sale Of the Fishburn land, the purchase of
which we noted in our last letter, has bought
the Dinkle property near hare, containing
about 6s acres, for 81 $50. We are glad to have
Mr.. s. with us again, for he is good citizen.
and an industrious gentleman.
Fdcts-We notice that extracts from "Anto-
ny's Grafton over Csesar's Body" furnished the
subject matter for q piece of splendid oompcs
sition U, published q few weeks ago, but
alas for the little marks called quotation