Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-01-12

SHENANDOAH Co. VA.
Jan. 9th 1881,

| pose 10 express my own VIEWS III 'n,
own way. They may not harmonic
with moders methods and modern ideas.
hut still have my oSn way Of thinking
and my own way Of expressing my
thoughts. Shenandoah is making pro
gress, materially aud, | hope, morally.
The number Of churches has greatly in.
creased in few years and the number
of ministers is much larger than when
l was boy. In those daysa Wood
stock preacher was known at Strashurg.
at New market, in the Fort and alona
the mountain. He may not have
preached as well as The ministers OF
this day. but lie certainly preached 10
more people and tkey were always
glad TO welcome lis coming. But times
change aud We change with them. The
modern mode may be an improvement
and am not gong to 6ud fault with lie
ouly want to make some obserYa-
lions on another important subject.
was pleased to find The preachers so
besrtily..tnllsled in the cause oil MISSIONS
| have head eloquent appeals from the
pulpits Of ibis county in behalf Of miss
ions. The people. am informed con-
tribute as literally 10 that cause, as to
any other. Societies of ladies are
formed to raise money TO have the gos-
pei preached to their own sex in China
Societies of little girls are active in rails
ing fluids to have the gospel preach d
in Mexico. Sunday Schools unite IN
common effort 10 enable the mission
aries to carry the gospel to heather
lands. These are commendable dulles
aud | rejplce to see the interest mani
tested IN them. There certainly ha'
been great improvement 10 this mission
" rk since l MAS boy.
When was boy the churches were
not so fine, the pews were not carpetted
aud cushioned, the people, instead oil
choirs. worshipped God by Singing
candles furnished light, such it was, aud
there Vas not so much machinery, but
the preachers were earnest and the peo-
ole attentive. There was QUE field whit b
received the attention of the preachers
There Nas no money 10 it, but they
preached earnestly and their hearers
reioieed at their coming. That held
was the county poor's house. These
poor people who were sent to this i'll
slitutios, not for crime but because
;hey were unfortunate and many OF
them. when the winter OF old age came,
were not only not able TO supply them
selves with tie deicacies so much
needed at that period Of life, but they
were even destitute OF the necessities.
1. was a struggle with them, but there
vas no help. aud they became paupers.
As lar as social enjoyment here was
coucerned, hops had fed. but the
hearts Of this poor people were relieved
of The heavy pressure of sadness. when
The old minister came around and as
sured them. that for hem Christ nd
died. and directed their thoughts to tnat
home where there Is no want. no sad
ness. but all are at home in their Father
house. The old psOacher was richly
compensated as he saw the tears ct j,
flowing over many Of the borrowed
cheeks OF his hearers, and heir eyes
sparkling With a light that told OF im'
mortality.
But Mr.. Editor, the times have
changed. inquired few days ago Of
gentleman whose duties frequently
call him 10 the Shenandoah county
almshouse, when there had been preach
iny Tor he benefit OF the poor. His re-
ply wat: They u-ed TO preach there, l
/ an informed, but l don't think there
mas been any for, al least, four year,.
Is not this a shame In the county Of
Shenandoah With al Increased number
Of ministers there is not one who has
manifested Willingness 10 carry the
Gospel to these poor people and 10 ad
minister 10 them the consultations OF
religion. How many Of these minis
lers would find members Of their ONn
churcnes 10 our county aims house!
We hardly think it necessary for our
county authorities TO make an approprl~
alton to secure the services Of preacher
fer these people, but if they are TO be
neglected in The future as they have
been 10 the past, application will be
made to the Board Of Supervisors Tor
an appropriation for the purpose. What
comment it will be upon the lberalitJ
of The churches Of our count!
Would il not be we'll for our ladies
whose hearts swell with sympathy fol
the poor heather, TO think OF the poor
women aud tie little orphans at Our
alms house? Christmas gifts were freely
bestow owed upon those who did not need
them, but were any sent 10 cheer The
hearts Of those poor people who did
need them? Have priests and people
forgotten the aords Of the master: The
poor We have always with yOu." In
asmuch as ye have done it unto one oil
the least oil these my brethren, ye have
done it unto me ?"
If You see proper to publish these
views, you may again hear from an
OLD FoGY.