Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-03
Letter from Mt. Sidney.
Regular Correspondence

Letter from Mt. Sidney.
Irregular Correspondence
MT. SIDNEY, April 30th, 1881.
MEssRs. EDIT oRs Whilst Local Option"
meetings are being held at different places, in
order, if possible, to eradicate the usage and
contingent curses of rum from their midst, we,
unlike many, are favored people in this par
ticular, for there is not a dram-shop in our
town or immediate community, and it is as
free from the pernicious influences of liquor and
the demora1izlng and degrading vices which
follow in the path of intemperance as is the
city of bliss itself. We sympathize with any
people who are cursed with liquor-dens and
surrounded by dissipated mongrels, for there
was once time in the history of this place
when such novels were the most frequented
places not by many of our citizens, but most
ly by outside parties and strangers, who would
come here to feed an Unsuitable appetite. i'm.
bibe and revel until they were fit subjects for
an inebriate asylum; period when the BRAIN
consuming beverages, vended by Satan's
agents, caused vice and violence to stalk unob-
structed, and crime to laugh and reel In Its
drunkenness of blood; when ladies, unaccom-
panied by a gentleman. could not pass those
| haunts without being grossly insulted by their
polluted and wreaking inmates. Our town re-
| verberated with blood-curding oaths, and the
| shrieks of drunken delight, they echoed
| against the walls of those subterranean dens
| equaled the chorusss of hell themselves. But a
| better era dawned upon this seemingly benight-
| ed place; the banner of temperance unfurled its
protecting folds, and the hand of Providence
marked and blessed the course of the cause
and the ceaseless efforts OF those engaged in the
| noble work of reform alton Step by step it has
| moved onward, until its standard, torn, but
| flying" floats out prouder to-day than ever be-
| fore, for it overshadows town peacefully at
rest with the terrible rum-scourge-a place
\ composed of as religious, refined, charitable
hospitabe, and industrious people as there is
within our illustrious State. In place of the
delirious rawlings of the drunkard, the sounds
which greet ones ears are those of the clink
ing hammers, which remind US of our happy
| lot, and that od-time customs are receding and
are fast giving place TO tile more modern i'm
provements, under the spirit of enterprise
which is now prevailing.
| To open bar oom here now would be fore
| doom ed and fore damned failure, for our citi-
zens would not tolerate its presence in our town
for the space OF twentyfour hours; we have
had enough of bitter experience in such affairs
and do not relish more.
| No rational man who has ever been subjected
| to the disadvantages of intemperance would
wish or suffer to see the industrial pursuits OF
our beautiful and coy town bligI ted and
scathed as with burning pestilence, or the re-
| ligious influence and moral suasion, under
which the present generation is being reared,
| thwarted and supplanted by the ruinous and
| damnable business of whiskey dealers. Nay
| verify, those vocatons have had their day
| in this place, and the temperance cause will
4
with its blessings.
| Sundny Sch0oI.-Last Sunday, before divine
worship, the time allotted for the Sunday
School was consumed in an address by Mr.
Weller upon the vital Importance of starting
the school on proper basis. SO that at the
close of it they can look back upon the years
work with the satisfaction that some good at
least had been accomplished. A Teachers
meeting was also organized, to meet every
Sunday evening at O'Clock for the consid-
Grafton of, the exchanging of views regard
| ing and comments upon the next lesson con-
| tanned in the International System. It is
hoped and desired that interest will be taken,
and full attendance will be had at each
meeting .-------- . Is
Personol-Prof j. N. Brennaman, of New
| Market, Va, spent last Sunday in town. Also
Mr.. Algie Reese. the courteous clerk in the
Drug store of Messrs. u. W. May & Co., of your
| city.
! Kailroad.-It is currently reported that an
extra through express train will be put on the
| Valley road after the LIST of May. which will
give us a direct daily line to Baltimore.
Dots-The cheerful voices of the happy song
sters and the bright foliage of the budding
trees make one feel contented after the long
depressing gloom Of Winter
| Now for q rebaSh notifies -narade
| every evening after shutdown. When you TAX
down the stove-pipe, remember, blessed are
the meek" New bell at the co1ored church
/ Little notes-buggy rides-pleasant walks.
Croquet is being pIacticed. Tiny April show
ers. Fans, straw hats, white vests, light pants,
and linen busters are in use. Ice. Spring fever is
raging. Replant your flowers. Bulletin boards
are prominent. Let's go fishing? Oysters are
out of date. Ice-cream and soda water. Pic
MICS and excursions. Invitations and COM
mencements. Slippers aad barefoot. Thunder
and lightning. Curbstone politicians are scarce.
Lemonade and refreshing drinks. Buy your
coal now Make your garden. Corn is being
planted. Awful hot. Locals, like angels
i visits, are few and far between. P. A. r.
MAY 2ND.
PISA warm, bright, sunshiny day, and the
balmy air, induced quite a number to attend
church yesterday.
Communion services were held at the Au-
gusta church. The Pastot Rev. Alex Sprunt,
was assisted by Rev. Mr.. Murray, of Bethel
church. Mr.. Murray young minister, but
already remarkable for his profundity of ar
; gument, briliaucy of thought, and perfection
) of diction. His sermons were very fine; great
ly enjoyed and highly spoken Of by all who
heard them.
After services the following persons were adj
mitted to full membership. Miss Priscilla
Miller, ]. A. Kerr, and w. II. Richard.
Rev. J. NJ Grandin, Sunday School Tract
Agent of the Baltimore Conference, and our
Pastor in 1874, is announced to preach in this
place on next Sunday morning at II O'Clock.
Mr.. Grandin as man of fine intellect has but
few equals, and to which he has added scholarly
attachments and years Of varied experience.
| P. A. r,