Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-07-08
A Sermon ON the Times.
THE CoUNTRY's REsoURCEs-THE. LIQUOR
TRAFFIC.

The Rev. S. W. Beach, Pastor of the
Twelfth Presbyterian church, Franklin
Street, Baltimore, in his sermon on last
Sunday, in speaking of the greatness of the
resources of this country, said that we have
an area of 1870, 900 square miles. Of this
more than 100000 acres are under cul-
tivation, divided into more than 1000, 900
farms. These represent an assessed value
of more than $4,000, 900, 900, or over five
times the whole debt of the United States.
In single year these farms produce an
average of nearly 1000, 900, 900 bushels of
corn and over 459, 900, 600 bushels Of wheat.
Eight million PERSONS or nearly one-sixth
of the whole population of the country,
are employed upon the farms. There are
254, 600 manufacturing establishments, rep
resenting capital of $4,000, 900, 900.
These employ nearly 5000, 900 hands and
pay in wages every year $1,000. 900, 900.
From mines last year $21, 0O0,00 worth of
gold was dug, and Sal, 100000 of silver;
II, 100000 tons of coal were also dug
There are $4,000 miles of railroad in the
United States, or enough to reach three
times and a half round the world. Upon
these are employed 100000 men, who re-
ceive $196, 100000 per annum. Out of a
population of 100000, 10000 Coo are
producers, or have employment divided as
follows: In agriculture 100000; in pro-
fessional services 100000 in trade and
transportation 2,000, 900; in manufacturing,
mechanical and mining industries A, 900, 600.
No human contingence can stay the pro-
gress of prosperity in America. Business
stagnation is abnormal, and can be only
temporary.
After speaking of the growing tendency
to the desecration of the Sabbath, and
recommending that business houses should
be closed at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoons,
the growth of the liquor traffic was COM
mented upon. He said that in 1884 there
was an average consumption of distilled
liquor of two gallons for every man, wo-
man and child, and of ten and half gal
Ions of beer In 1884 the people paid a
liquor bill of eight hundred and thirteen
millions of dollars. The church, he said,
is aroused to the consciousness that she
must subdue this monster or fall prey to
his power. Ringing and not uncertain
notes are echoing from every evangelical
pulpit; clear, emphatic deliverances come
pouring in from Christian assemblies.
Christian people have resolved that the
liquor traffic must go. Another evidence
of the rising Of the tidal wave that will
sweep away this nefarious business is the
steady growth of public sentiment.
The family of DR.. P. F. Finnell, of Buck
harmon, W. Va, were all poisoned We'd
nesday by drinking coffee containing arsenic,
but by the prompt application of remedies
no fatal results followed. A colored SER
want is suspected of having placed the
poison in the coffee, but she denies it.
TIE democrats of Salem, Roanoke coun-
ty, will hold primary election July II to
select person to be recommended for ap-
pointment as postmaster.
Mr.. R,yall says that the bondholders de-
clare that any offer of compromise must
come from the State of Virginia and not
from them.
Charles W. Button has been appointed
postmaster at Lynchburp Va and vii