Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-04-05
Letter from 1t. Sidney.

AN IN - " ~ ~ -
| Letter from 1t. Sidney.
l
Regular Correspondence
MT. SIDNEY. April End. 1881.
The Pdrsonage.-The expediency Of remov-
ing the Methodist Parsonage for this circuit.
from New Hope to this place, has been for some
time past question with many. That 1t
should be done all of any judgment admit
This is not only more central location, but is
surrounded by better advantages and more
Iconveniences than any other point on the cir
cult Besides, having easy access to all points.
there is double daily mail affording rapid
and reliable communication with the outside
world. The surroundings here are fully
equal If not superior to the other. Whilst
1t is in a pleasant and delightful neigh
borhood 1t would be equally SO here. The Par
sonage, at its present situation is out by ITSELF
which necessarily makes 1t lonely and dreary
when any Of the family are absent. Here 1t
would nestle cozily IN our town protected and
defended by dwellings upon either side. We
think that the exercise of a little energy and
an Investigation of the matter would secure .
large and comfortable house, which would be
far more convenient and homelike than the
one now in use, for it is very small and liar
ranged. So far as the furniture in the Parson-
Il age Is concerned, we deem 1t but a tribe and q
poor reason for an excuse. We admit that the
membership here is not composed Of Croesuses,
nor is their liberality akin to that which marks
a millionaire; upon the other hand we know
that there are a few cynics there who wish to
control everybody and all things, but then
they can be easily quieted and we feel assured
that satisfactory arrangements could be made
and the Parsonage removed here. ,Ohere It should
be. We hope that in justice to the Pastor, as
his comfort and convenience should be pro-
vided for, that the proper steps will soon be
taken, which will decide what can and will be
done with the subject in question.
Sunday School.-A reorganization Of the Sun
day School at this place is contemplated. We
certainly hope that those who have the affair In
charge will take more interest in 30 important
| a work. than has been shown for the last sew
eral years; for the way it has been conducted
was sin in the sight Of God. q perfect mockery
| OF religion and detrimental to the salvation of
| the rising generation for whose benefit the
! school Is established. Instead of all the men,
| bers of the church working in unison and try
ing to improve the moral and religious char
acters OF the children and exert sufficient ef-
fort to build up the school, and impregnate it
| with hallowed influence which will make
lasting and convfcting, II not converting, i'm
pressions upon the hearts of all who attend
and the young minds placed under their in
struction. they actually refuse to have any.
thing to do with the school. and act as II they
were too good to teach the smaller classes
| Beholding the petulant contention and utter
Indifference of the professors Of religion, in
perfect amazement, and seeing that no appar-
ent interest is taken in their behalf or for their
/ f,,tv, nvf IxA~r
uninstructed and uncared for by their parents,
they soon cease to attend and the school d.
minishes in number. and becomes loathsome
drag throughout the term. Instead of the
teachers requiring that each pupil shall men,
orlze the portion of the lesson designated and
| explaining the intricate mysteries connected
| Herewith, they leave 1t discretionary with the
child, whether he studies or not, and thus hap.
haZardly the school is carried on unattractive
and unimproving to any one. The first and
prime duty is with the parents to see that their
children attend school and observe perfect de-
| corum while in the sanctuary; and when they
go from church to answer all the questions con-
| ceived and propounded by them regarding the
lessons, and endeavor to train and fit them for
high and noble christian life. II you do thus,
your. children will bless you in years to come,
long after you are dead and forgotten by 9TH
ers, and they will hand your name down to
posterity as pure and untarnished as you leave
it. The second requirement for a good and
successful school is. that the superintendent
and teachers take interest-we repeat it, take
interest-1n the progress of the classes and de-
velopment of the young minds placed in their
| care, and use every effort to induce the chill
dren to like to go to school and study the les
| sons assigned, for unless they do that the.
| school will come to naught and the children
| be stepped in Indifference SO deep that religion
will appear to them grand human farce, and
the evils of iniquity crown their youthful
heads. How many bitter pang has rent the
| aged fathers heart, how many have been the
| briny, scalding tears shed by a devoted mother
over their darling boy, as he ridiculed their be-
lief, and with scorning reproachful look tax es
his place In the seat with the scoffer, and seek
ing dissipation to drown his remorse Of con-
| science goes down to q pauper's grave, all be-
cause they did not give him the proper in
struction in his youthful days. and point
him to life eternal This Is no fancy sketch,
but truth which, in all its startling reality
is seen upon almost every turn, for one is daily
thrown with such bloated, repulsive monde
scripts. Oh. that your past neglect would rise
| up in all its black hideousness and prompt you
| to greater diligence in the future. The duty
| devolving upon you is a ponderous one. The
impressions you make will either elevate or
degrade them in time, bless or damn them in
eternity. You will be held responsible for your
| acts and the lives of your children, and re-
member that early Impressions are the most
lasting, be they for good or evil.
| Cturch.-Now that we are to have Lutheran
Parsonage in this place, we trust that every eff
fort will be used to secure a church of that de-
nomination here. 1t would not only enhance
| the advantages of our town, but strengthen
| that church and increase the congregations at
the Methodist church, besides elevating the
tone Of moral and religious influences over the
younger portion Of the present generation. We
suggest that Mr.. Campbell, President OF the
Synod, give this subject his attention. and, up
| on our part. we assure him the earnest coop
Grafton and hearty concurrence Of our citizens.
Purchase of Land.-we notice that one Of
| Of our former citizens, Mr.. ]. II. Shumake, has
bought the old Fishburn farm, near Verona,
containing 1877 acres for $t7.40 per acre.
Personals.-Rev. A. C. Gearhart. Of Luray.
Va, has accepted the passionate at the Salem
church. miles west Of this place.
We regret to learn that Mr.. G. A. Weller, the
promising son Of our popular pastor. now at
New Orleans. is suffering from q severe pros
tration. caused by q relapse while attacked
with the measles.
Rev. Rob't H. G. Keran, of the old Missouri
Conference. accompanied by his sister, Miss
| Ida F. Keran. spent several days In visiting
| relatives and friends here. By request, Mr..
Keran preached in the Methodist church on
| last Sunday morning and evening. The ser-
| mons were able and entertaining. and are
| highly spoken of by all who heard them. Want
| of time precludes a comment upon the tram
script of notes taken.
Miss Matte NJ Davis of Harrfsonhurc In
visiting friends here, the guest of Miss Annie
e. Rickard.
Miss Maggie NJ. Bell. daughter of our popu-I
| lar physician, DIR. VIM. Bell, now attending the
Augusta Female Seminary of your City. arriv-
| ed here this morning on a short visit home.
Funny SQuibs.-From casual observation we
think that orange blossoms will soon ha In de-