Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-05-13

well worth telling, connected with the
marriage of Miss Bessie Willis at Amherst
recently. The church was all ablaze with
light, and eager, expectant faces of many
friends watched for the appearance Of the
bridal party. just as the first pair enter
ed the church, turning up the right aisle,
the second turning up the left, little bird
flew over their heads, passing directly
above the central row of pews to the chan
eel where the minister (Mr. Garland) was
standing. 1t fluttered moment above his
head as if intending to settle. He put up
his hand and almost caught it. 1t was SO
close that its little feet touched his hair. It
then passed over the heads of the bride
and bridegroom, and found resting place
on the brown hair of Miss Jennie Wills,
ono of the attendants. The young lady
made no movement of any kind, and did
not show by her countenance that she was
aware that ''birdie'' had so honored her.
After a moment it flew to the top of win
dow and remained there. 1t was after
wards caught and brought to Mr.. Callen-
der, the groom, who carried it away with
him in box. 1t was very pretty accom-
paniment to very beautiful marriage
Superstitious ones inquired anxiously of
each other whether the omen was good or
evil. A lady present gave pleasant turn
to the rather sad thought, of little bird
flying about in the darkness, seeking the
light and human companionship, by ad-
vancing the idea that birds were innocent
and lovely, and could only mean good, per-
haps the marriage of some of the company.
We all ask each other sometimes, are you
superstitious, and almost always reply, no
when, if we knew ourselves, we would
answer differently.
The bride mentio ned above is niece of
Mrs. Judge John Howard McCue, of this
city.
WOMEN Nor ENTITLED TO SEATS IN THE
BAPTIST CoNvENTIoN.-In the General
Baptist Convention recently held in Au-
gusta, Ga, and which adjourned on Satur-
day last, Dr. J. William Jones, of Vir-
ginia, from the committee of one from each
State on the question of the eligibility of
women delegates, reported that the COM
mittee were unanimous in offering an
amendment which settles beyond perad-
venture that only men are entitled to seats
in the convention. By an overwhelming
vote the convention adopted the report of
the committee. 1t clearly appeared that
the women of the South Do not desire seats
in the convention.
The report on wOmen's work, which was
adopted unanimously, gives the women's
missionary societies representation in the
convention by men of their own selection.
Montgomery, Ala, was selected as the
place of next meeting, and Rev. DIR. Haw-
thorne elected as preacher of the conven-
ton sermon and Rev. H. M. Wharton as
alternate.
The convention unanimously adopted the
resolution offered by Senator Jos. E. Brown
forbidding any Baptist minister to marry
parties who had been divorced for any other
reason than the guilt of fornication on the
part of one or the other of the divorced par
ties.
EPISCOPAL CoUNCIL.-The annual ses-
SIGN of the Episcopal council. of the diocese
of Virginia will be held in Richmond on
the third Wednesday of this month-the
Goth. Among the important matters that
will be brought up for consideration will
be the question of endowing the Theological
Seminary, near Alexandria. Another very
| important question that will in all proba-
bllity claim the attention of the council
will be the division of the diocese. This
matter has been before the council several
times before and ably discussed, but in
consequence of the opposition 10 it nc final
action has ever been taken. This being
the centennial council, an interesting pro-
gramme has been prepared by the COM
mittee having the matter in hand and the
session will be one of interest. Bishop
Randolph will deliver the opening sermon;
Rev. o. A. Kinsolving the centennial SER
mon, and Bishop Whittle the closing ad-
dress.