The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-09-12
FIT. Defiance Items.
reported for the vIRGINIAN. ]

On Sunday. the 25th ult., Rev. Geo.
j.. Bitter rendered his resignation as pas
tor of the Augusta Church, and asked
the session to join in his request to Pres
bytery for the dissolution of his pastoral
relations, that he might accept call to
the passionate of the Portland Avenue
Church, Louisville, KY.
When Mr.. Bitter was called to the Au-
gusta Church, in 1885, he found upon
the church rolls $40 members, with
Sabbath School numbering rs scholars
During his ministration of just four
years 115 have been added ON profession
of faith and though there has been con
siderable loss through death and remov
ais, the membership now number POI and
the Sunday School has increased to 279
scholars The contributions to the cause
OF beneficence recommended by the Gen
eral Assembly have increased from $282
in 1885 to 1887 i'll 1889.
Mr.. Bitter is II young man and this is,
we believe, his first pastorate, but he has
been truly a devoted and faithful shep-
herd, ever tending the sheep and feeding
the lambs with earnest care and solici-
tude, and his labors have been wonder
fully blessed. During the course of
somewhat varied life, it has been the
writer's privilege to worship in many
places and under a number of pastor
ates. We have listened to many elO-
quent and sOul-stirring sermons by emf
nent diyines, but no minister ever so
completely possessed our love and conf
dence as Mr.. Bitter, and we are sure no
minister ever carried with him to a new
field more earnest prayers for both his
spiritual and temporal welfare.
At congregational meeting at the
church on the list inst, the following res
olutions We're unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Our pastor has asked this
congregation to unite with him in re-
quest to Presbytery to dissolve the pas
tora relation with this church that he
may enter upon new field of labor, af
fording, in his opinion, much larger
sphere for usefulness therefore,
Resoloed, 1, That whilst we sincerely
regret the separation from him, we would
not, from motives of selfishness, hinder
his usefulness, but discarding our own
feelings, we unite with him in the re-
quest that the relation be dissolved,
Resolved, Cd, That we cheerfully
and cordially place on record our high
appreciation of his zeal, fidelity and eff
ficiency as a pastor and preacher. He
has been faithful laborer in the mas
ter's vineyard and our attachment to him
is much enhanced on account of his ten
der sympathies and loving ministrations
to us in our homes in times of sorrow
and affection.
Sd, We earnestly pray that Gods bless
ing may attend his labOrs in the new
field to which he has been called, and
that his highest hopes of usefulness may
be fully realized.
Mr. Bitter leaves for his new field
about the list of October.
We forgot to mention that this is prob
ably the only church in Lexington Pres
bytery which conducts a Sunday School
of colored people.
Hurrah for Fort Defiance We now
have telegraph office and are no long
erobliged to travel all the way to Staun-
ton when we have important business
with distant parties requiring immediate
attention. Just call on Mr.. John S.
Richey, our popular merchant and depot
agent, and he will for a consideration
cause the lightning to flash your commu
nication to the uttermOst parts of the
earth, if you wish The office is of the
new line recently erected through the
Valley by Messrs. Rosenberger & Co.,
and supplies a want long felt at this
place
Farmers in this vicinity are complain
ing of the exceedingly dull hay market,
it being very difficult to sell any but a
strictly prime article, and of that grade
there are very few lots. However, the
bailers are running on full time.
Threshing is progressing rapidly and
if it had not been for the wet season
since harvest this neighborhood would
have garnered the largest and best wheat
crop in several years. The yield is almost
everywhere reported above expectations
and the quality where it is not damaged
by the weather excellent.
The corn crop is generally very fine and
has about made itself
The Augusta Creamery has suspended
business, and we understand the plant
is for sale S. M. w.