Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-06-28
Letter from 1t. Sidney.
Irregular Correspondence.

Letter from 1t. Sidney.
Irregular Correspondence
MT. SIDNEY. June 18th. 1881.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-At last, after long years
of inaction, dormant interest has asserted III
presence, and the chains Of apathy, even more
lastipg than those which bound Prometheus to
Mount Caucasus, have been broken. and the
Sunday school workers here awakened to q
sense of their duty.
A committee Of four was appointed on last
Sunday to 60 to see all the children who do not
60 to school and endeavor to persuade them to
attend. In considering this important step. 1t
appears to us that had the proper Interest been
manifested heretofore. the school started upon
the right basis, that the children would have
readily seen the benefits to be derived from at
tending q we'll conducted school, end would
have gone unsolicited; or had 1t been made a
brilliant light from the first, such steps would
nosO be unnecessary. And instead of having to
beg worldly -engrossed parents for their chill
dren, the church would be crowded with relig-
ious Sunday-school scholars. anxious to learn
the life of Jesus and be instructed in the way
to heaven. The shoulders of those upon whom
rest the responsibility Of relisiously training
bear, and. If mortals are accountable. we think
that for a willful neglect of their duty crush-
ing doom is pending over their unhallowed
most assuredly confront them at last and meet
any act of reform or desire to mitigate past
negligence. What better evidence of indiffer-
ence is needed, what stronger proof Of careless
ness Is wanted, than for q man to admit that
he has erred. We do not, Of course, attribute
this important act to anything we have
ever written upon this subject, for even had
some word Of ours taken effect and pro-
duced the desired result, there is not one
but who is so thoroughly stepped in preju-
dice that he would not acknowledge it-rather
preferring to let enviousness and malice over
rule stern justice. We are but human, and we
do not set ourselves up as criterions. since all
are liable to err; neither do we write for COM
mendation, nor court the batteries Of any. We
simply and emphatically say what we think is
required under the circumstances, prompted
solely for hsperfection ofthe cause we advocate
The different phases of our subject are carefully
considered, and. after mature reflection, we
Gull our comment to suit the topic in hand
and then very earnestly and plainly sail down
the channel of thought. This Is why we have
SO often acridly criticised the acts Of the leaders
of this work, and have recommended restric
lions and such changes and improvements as
we deemed advisable for the good OF the school,
and not, as many suppose, because we have a
monomania for newspaper scribbling. or die
tative nature, for our governing motto is, Fiat
jssstitia. r,Iot coelun.
Personal-We regret to note that Miss Mag
gle M. Bell has been i'll for some time with ty-
phoid fever. She is, however, much better to-
day. and hopes are entertained of her speedy
recovery.
Miss Lizzie Mccoy, of Braxton county, West
Va, and Miss Lizzie Bare, of Staunton. re-
Gently spent several days in town.
Prof. J. T. Cribbins and family will leave
next week for Covington, where they will make
their future home. MIR. G. is good citizen and
an indefatigable worker, and any enterprise
he may enter will be ably prosecuted. and we
cordially recommend him to the people Of that
place, and bespeak for him q liberal share OF
public patronage. We are sure his genial fam
lily will be highly appreciated.
Master James Crawford, son of DR. w. M.
Crawford Of this place, whilst playing in the
yard yesterday evening, their large se-dog
caught and threw him down, bruising, biting,
and very severely lacerating both legs. The
dog became SO enraged that he had to be
choked off in order to save the chiid's life. The
wounds are very painful. but no fears of a fatal
result are entertained. The dog should have
been promptly killed. but unfortunately was
not.
Short stops.-It Is said that much green wheat
is being cut. Strawberries are 'played OUT
for this year. Fine prospect for large crop O.
corn. Immense amount of hay has been made.
al L. 3no
be scarce. The prospective excursion to Har-
per's Ferry has gone "up the spout" Lawn
Party by the colored people In two weeks-save
your small change "Cherry pie'' is "all the
CO." Farmers are busy-business is dull-town
dry. +. A. n.
P. S.-A very severe and frightful thunder
storm visited this place last Saturday evening.
raging for nearly one hour and half. The
lightning struck the corner of a small frame
dwelling-house in town, occupied by w. F. Kit
ter, tearing off several Of the misunderstanding
and slightly stunning Mrs. Ritter. Corn-helds
were very much washed and otherwise Injured
great deal of wheat was beaten down and
terribly twisted. The removal Of fences seems
to be the greatest loss. Mr.. Samuel Byers. near
Burke's Mill, miles north Of here, estimates
his loss of wheat fences, &C., at not less than
$500. Several clouds contained hail, which lit
orally ribboned the growing corn. Much grass
was also washed over and damaged. 1t is gem
orally conceded that more water fell than has
been known at any one time within the last 80
years.
Relioious-Rev. A. G. Gearheart will be in
stalled Pastor of Salem church on next Sunday
morning, Revs. Beard and Campbell officiating.
P. A. R.
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