The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-14

The orator, in moving language, then pro-
ceeded to depict the sterling patriotism,
heroic devotion to principle, and great suff-
erings of the Midway people throughout the
revolutionary war. He spoke, too, feeingly
of the destruction of the first house of wor-
ship 'by ribald British soldiery" and the
erection of the present stanch edifice,
which has withstood the tempests of nearly
100 years Then followed e concise. but
exceedingly interesting, recital of the events
OF the war in st. Johns Parish, much of it
unwyrittsn history The ambuscade
| and death of the brave Gen.
! Screvens by the forces of Col Provost
within one mile of the church, the heroic
defense of Sudbury and the response of the
enemy at that point, which, after the fall
of Savannah, was invested by sea and land
and forced at length to capitulate, the
several battles that occurred near the
church and in the parish, acts Of personal
prowess' ETC., were given with graphic
power and the precision of a trained his,
torian.
The events of the war having been mar
rated, and the names Of the leading par
Elephants mentioned, the orator proc eded
to state the deplorable condition of st.
Johns parish after it had been overrun by
the enemy subsequent to the fall of Savan-
nah. 1t was only paralleled by the invasion
OF Sherman's hosts, whose enOrmties will
forever blot the escutcheon of the union
arms.
MEN IN HISTORY.
Here" said the orator, "dwelt Lyman
Hall and Button Guinnett, signers of the
declaration of independence, Richard How
ley and Matthews Brownson, early govern
ors Of Georgia, Moses Allen, Benjamin
Baker, Coils. William and John Baker, Gen.
Daniel Stewart, Col. John Mcintosh, Maj.
John Jones, and many others, patriots all
who r1sked fortune and life in the support
of country during this primal struggle for
independence.
An affecting account was then given by
the orator of the overwhelming ruin and
sad changes which have overtaken the once
noble and happy community. But it was inn
possible to follow the orator in his touc ling
utterances and eloquent word painting
describing these calamities.
His sketch of old Sunbury in it's palmy
days once the rival of Savannah, but now
desolate and forsaken, with nothing left
save the lovely and interchangeable foot
prints of nature, was particularly fine.
The eloquent orator made this c)mforting
remark, however, in view of the desolations
of church and county: @'Although the
shadows of penury and of desuetude are
resting upon this venerable church, there
are memories of holy men and virtuouS
women, Of worthy deeds and significant
events, of noble aspirations and elevating
influences which the lapse of years has not
obllterated, which the mutations of fortune
have not consigned to oblivion"
The orator closed his address with
deeply interesting sketch of the history of
the time-honored tabernacle subsequent to
the cessation Of hostilities in the war of
secession. 1t was replete with references
that brought sadness to every son of Liberty
county. The orators final remarks, how
ever, displayed the rainbow of hope in the
skies of the future, and were peculiarly
appropriate aud impressive. 1t was one Of
the noblest efforts of the orator historian.
OF course, brief outline like the foregoi
does not do justice to Col. Jones' Grafton,
which was not only eloquent but was full
of historical references which are not only
valuable. but exceedingly interesting.