Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-25
From Virginia to Georgia in a Buggy.


From Virginia to Georgia in Buggy.
[Rev. W. 3. Baker in Christian Obseryer.]
This time it was in buggy. Some
persons thought such trip, when they
first heard of it, an impracticability.
They did not know that there were any
roads to Georgia. And show can you get
across the State line ?" The latter diff
Guilty was obviated, 50 far as concerned
the line between Tennessee and Georgia.
We came through gate, for the public
road. the way we came, is closed just on
the line between the two States-a gate
being authorized to keep the cattle from
the bottom lands where fences are impos-
sible. One old lady, ''reckoned we trav-
eled in buggy. because it was safer than
the cars !"
The first thing to do in making such
trip is to have ones horse for about four
months in the care of q really pious Pres
byterian in order to get him in good con-
dition. An ordinary disciple will feed the
preacher, but it takes ''discIple indeed"
to put the preachers horse in the condi-
ton in which ours was when we started.
We have perfect confidence in love to
God, which shows itself in this way.
These homely evidences are after all the
most reliable. A lady, wanting roast of
beef, let her butcher know that the minis
her the finest roast she had had in
year. Who could doubt the piety Of that
butcher ef ~ - 8 =. E@
But 1t is time for us to start. The clos
ing exercise and commencement season is
coming on, and we don't want to be
caught out 10 it. On the former trip we
had arrived at each place in the very
agony of the excitement-in each family
we entered there was some priZe-frst
honor-gold medal pupil to whom we had
to pay homage; and the only revenge we
that somehow in that trip providence had
cast our lot among remarkably smart
people. 5E III | g
The great thing in such travelling is to
arrange for comfortable nights lodgings.
Woe to him who permits himself to be mis-
taken for a book agent, or lightning rod
man Woe to him who relies on the pub
lie houses in the little towns! ''Is there
hotel here ?" we asked small boy, as
we entered certain village about night
fall. NO" was the reply; "but there is
q WomHA IL ViloV ou0uuy OudU hOCPo III I'LL
mers." We drove on, preferring to risk
the darkness and the bitches of strange
road. The true way is to carry letters of
introduction from the best people to the
best people. You can always find some-
thing to arrange about your harness while
the letter is being read. But beware in
taking lettera from watering places where
they barrel water. Of envelopes with
three barrels in the left-hand corner. The
cause of temperance is advancing. and
good people are afraid of barrels. 81
thought at first you were the agent of
wholesale liquor DEALER" said good
woman, as she lavished her kindness
upon me.
There is hospitality to be found every
where, though it is not always up to the
standard Of the man, who, on bidding me
good bye In the morning, remarked as he
handed me silver dollar; 81 always do
this when entertain preacher as athank
offering to God for SO great privilege"
That man g name and locality has never
been made known to the brethren lest the
privilege should come too often and cease
to be valued.
In going down through East Tennessee
we struck strata new to us, but not i'm
penetrable, II never entertain any but
Republicans and preachers" said man
who had invited US to dinner. We prefer
red to eat our dinner in the latter char
acter.
An old Squire with whom we were
stopping at another place, manifested
religious ssnsibility, which we were anx-
ious to deyelope. At last our opportunity
came. He had been suffering all the
morning from splinter, and had just got
ten it out. s'Ah," said we, THAT affords
a good illustration. 1t is the splinter of
sin that causes all the suffering. Take this
splinter out by true repentance and the
suffering is gona.'' 5
"Justs so, was the reply, sand that Is what
is the matter with these Southern Presby-
terians. They have gotted the splinter in
them. and they won't permit it to be taken
out" That man could fight with splinters
as well as myself, and changed the sub
lect.
and New River and A bingdon and Blount-
vile and R0gersville, or Of the providence
of God, that cast our lot on the two Sab
baths of the trip, one at Wytheville, where
sickness in the PASTORS family made the
strangers aid most acceptable, and the
other at Knoxville, where, for the day,
all the Presbyterian ministers were alb
sent, and the stranger, therefore, was re-
eeiyed with gladness.
SUCH trip, like human life. Is attend
ed with varying fortunes; one night IN the |
guest chamber of the elegant city man
sion, and the next In the eight by ten
room of the village inn. The traveller
carries on two conflicts at once, the con-
flict with rough roads. deep fords. SUM-
shine and rainfall; and the more real and |
serious conflict with wicked spirits and a
wicked heart, for which he has every
morning to prepare by girding on the
whole armOr OF God.
And in both these journeys our great
comfort is the thought of home, when
WEAKNESS shall give way to rest, when
desire shall be succeeded by perfect aatia-
faction, and CONFLICT shall lead to victory