Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-09-13
LETTER FROM NASHVILLE.
NAauv1I1E- TpNM. Sent- 8. la91,

NASHVILLE, TENN, Sept. 8, 1881.
Mr. Editor Before tho regular work of
the session begins, have some leisure mos
meuts, a few OF which l will take up IN
writing you q short letter.
In q ride over one thousand miles and
through five or six States, L saw along the
whole route tho distressing effects of the
drought, that seems to be wide spread. The
land in many places had a white, dry appear
ance, and the vegetation upon it was parched
until the folds looked as they usually do in
the latter part of October. The corn in some
places had not a tut of green, hut was
thoroughly dried out. Upon the first day of
September We had here a fine rain, and since
then another. [ hope the people in Jefer-
son have been so blessed.
A word or two concerning the country will
suffice for the time. Garry a mau from your
county to middle Tennessee, aud be would
not know but that he was still in his own
county, except, perhaps. out from Nashville
some distance. he would not see the improve
ments that he would in Jefferson. This is
indeed a fne country tho land limestone,
the climate very healthy, the winters much
milder than ours. while the summers arc very
little warmer. Of course after having passed
through Pennsylvania, the contrast was quite
striking so far as the appearance of farms is
concerned; In Tennessee, at least the part
over which [ travelled, the woods are over
grown, the houses Indifferent, the barns
worse than Indifferent. while the fences are
neglected, and most of the land at rest. In
the other, as you all know, everything looks
neat and has no appearance of neglect
There are reasons Why this is so here, tie
late war being tho chief. To those who are
thinking of. going West. and who think there
is nothing this side of the West, I would
say-before buying land or taking any stems
towards it, consult those who eau tell Won all
about the cheap and good land of the middle
portion of this state.
Vanderbilt opened this year with fair
promises for a successful session, though the
drought that prevailed %throughout the South
has injured US some. The students Of the~
ology have occasion for great Joy over the
circumstances that now surround them hero.
They have a most beautiful hall, called Per-
ley Hall, upon the grounds, with cvery
modern accommodation attached. They have
their lecture rooms, chapel. library, Y. n
U. A. room. public parlor, all in their build
ing, while their own rooms arc very pleasant
Everything in the Hall is conducted in az
orderly, systematic manner, under the gni>
dance of Rev. j. R. Piummer, who. with
his family, lives here. Upon every Friday
u'SHt Ine professors. with their families, lott
the "theologs" at our chapel, in a social prayer
meeting. AS these meetings are conducted
by such men as DR.. Z. o Summers and Dr.
j. j.. G. Granbery, you know they arc in,
teresting.
The theological department here has its
enemies, but then there is certainly much
done to assist young men in procuring a fine
education Tor their work in life. DIR. Sum
merS the other daV said : the times demand
an cducsted ministry God and the church
require it," and every thinking man must
see that this is even so. | en- not an aueul
tor our departments Of Vanderbilt, hut will
say that if any of our Jefferson boys think
of studying for the ministry, they will find
rare advantages and small costs at our Uni.
versity.
AS I write. the music from the different
pianos at the professors houses is heard
through my open window, making this place
almost a little raradise. K