Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1882-03-04

THR BAPTIST PARSONAGE CAP
TuRED.-On Tuesday evening last, a
mysterious movement that had been
in contemplation for the previous sew
eral days consummated in the assem-
bling of a large body of citizens at the
residence of Rev. and Mrs. A. f. Rog-
ers. That worthy couple having but
recently commenced housekeeping,
and at the time referred to being "not
at home," the house was opened to
the "callers" by the callers them
selves, and after brief preliminaries,
the gathering was unanimously re-
solved into one of the most liberal do
nation parties of the age! Arranging
everything to their satisfaction, be-
slowing the gifts here, there and every
where, and taking all the liberties pos
sible in arranging parlor, sitting-room,
dining-room, kitchen and cellar, the
merry throng dispatched messenger
for Mr.. and Mrs. Rogers, gravely an
nouncing that there was something
wrong at the parsonage, and their
presences was required instantly"
They came-i,astantly! And they
found themselves at once surrounded
by-nearly everybody! And deposit
ed in great abundance throughout the
rooms was-nearly everything. The
reverend gentleman and his lady were
greatly surprised, yet in return for the
handsome reception given them, Mr..
Rogers returnedtheir thanks very ap-
propriately, as follows:
My Frie,sds-I am tonight impress
ed very much as was upon first be-
holding the wonders of the famous
Luray Caverns. am overwhelmed,
and can find no words with which to
do justice to the subject. You certain
ly do not expect me, my dear friends,
to give full expression of my feelings
at such time as this. This is the
grandest hour of my life. In the first
place, am proud of this expression
of your love. For five long years ]
have been laboring in your midst,
oftentimes cast down ON account OF
the cares resting upon me, but to-
night these tokens assure me that my
labor has been appreciated. / am
proud of the gifts themselves, but fal
prouder of the motive that prompted
you all. Again, l am proud that
nave ihsnn1e. Never since | was fiji.
teen years of age have I had a place
/ could call my home. 1t is sal" lna'
the author of these beautiful woISs,
"Home, Sweet Home" never had
home in all his life. Whether that be
true or not, it cannot be denied that
he had some just conceptions at least,
of the pleasures of a home-life. For
81 years have longed for some place,
however humble it might be, to
which could invite my friends. This
is now my home-thank God for it,
and as long as have home every one
| Ifyou will be welcomed to it. But my
nina turns from this home to our
heare,alv horne, of which it isa faint
type. Over there, beyond the River,
is our Fathers house. That is our real
home. We shall all live II those
heavenly mansions. There will be go
such contrasts there as we find in
this world. Nopalace and by its side
an humble cottage-no such terms as
homes of the rich and homes of the
poor. We shall all be rich. We shall
be "Kings and Priests unto God.
Heaven will be our home, God our
! Father, and Jesus Christ our Elder
Brother. May God make us all faith
| full in his service here. Nav Gods
richest blessing rest upon you all.
Again, / thank you all for your kind
ness.
Many articles were sent by mem
bers of other churches, and some by
persons not connected with any
church. The articles included all that
Is useful, and good Judgment was dis
played in their selection, since moth
Ing was unduly multiplied.