Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-04

CHURCH WORK

Rev. II. d. HAYES, DID,, pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church, was observed by our re-
porter at the City Clerks office on the morn
ing of the 30th uitimo, busily engaged in ex.
tmfning records. He was there for the pur-
pose OF having entered full acknowl edgment Of
payment of the last debt due from his church.
When DIR. Halves entered upon his charge in
this city. June. 1885. there were sixty members
and the debt due amounted to two thousand
md six hundred dollars. At the close of 1887
after two years charge OF the church, he finds
he roll of resident members numbers one hun
ired and forty, and the entire Indebtedness of
Every kind paid off, and the congregation alb.
iolutely free from applications for money for
my past transactions.
In January 1886, DIR. Halves stated to his
members and congregation that he was an ious
20 see the debt paid off-anxious for that, and
anxious for the spiritual prosperity of the
:hurch. Calling the Ladies' Aid Society to his
lelp. he commenced the personal work of &C.
,omplishing his expressed desire to see the last
obligation of indebt edness speedily cancelled.
lie became a solicitor, accepting offers of any
mount, no matter how small, and in connec-
ion with jealous members and the Ladies' So
;iety. all but nine hundred dollars had been
iqudated at the close of last November. On
he 4th of December, he announced to the COM
;regation that the remaining balance of 5000,
must, If possible. he paid off before the close of
he year, and the next day, with those CO.
operating, sci to work to raise the money. In
me week 1t was done, and. when making the
announcement on the 18th, he remarked that
he found 1t about as easily accompli shed as
anything he had ever undertaken. The DIR.
remarked that in raising the money from time
to time the church had received the generous
assistance of some outside friends which was
highly appreciated; but the great bulk of eight
thousand dollars which had been raised since
,e became the pastor for current expenses and
discharge past Indebtedness, was raised in
he congregation.
Sunday morning services as usual were con
Quoted in this church. The pastor based his
remarks on the 14Sth Psalm. One member was
tdded by profession of faith. On Sunday next,
the communion service will be held.
SUDDEN CHANGE OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
was quite sudden change in the temperature
of the weather here en- Wednesday. 1t was quite
pleasant in the morning of that day, but before
night the advance of the approaching cold
vave from the northwest began to arrive, and
by the next Thursday morning the cold was
intense, and the mercury sank to IL degrees
tbove zero, and on Friday evening to 10 de-
grees. Some thermometers indicated degrees
above on Thursday morning and on Friday
morning. On Saturday it was not SO cold, be-
ing about 20 degrees. 1t did not get much
warmer during the day. About 81 in the
morning snow commenced to fall and contin-
led to do 30 more or less till o'clock p. M,
covering the ground to the depth of about two
inches. Later in the evening the weather
moderated. when 1t commenced to rain gently
| and SO continued throughout the night and
1 part OF the next day-Sunday-which made
1 the pavements so slippery that it was with
great dif1iculty-attended with no little dan
| ger-that persons could walk ever them, and,
as necessary consequence, but few could
get to the churches to attend services. 1t con-
tinued to get warmer. and the rain ceased in
the afternoon, and during the night the sky
became clear, and Monday morning was
bright and pleasant with the wind from the
| west.
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