The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-09-02
ENCHANTING LAND, FAREWELL!
Rabbi David Marx Writes Of His Visit
To "The Land of The Sky.o

Rabbi David Marx Writes Of His Visit
To "The Land Of The Sky"
It is relief to leave the busy haunts
of men; the cities crowded with hui
manity, sweltering beneath the bur-
dens Of toll and the hot midsummer
sun and wend our course to the lofty
summit Of mountain.
How invigorsting are the breezes that
ramble through the cloud-kissed re-
gions, sweet with the frankincense OF
fresh-leaved forests. The soul under
goes Transformation. A new freedom
possesses body and mind. The voices
of the mountains stir to the quick every
latent energy; and nature, unfolding
within, breathes new life.
'Iand of the sky!" Whoever named
thee 80, spoke no idle word, but truer
were the thought: Gateway 'twixt
earth and heaven"
This region is most charming. Pellon
is not piled on Ossa, but banked against
each other; like the huge waves of ruff
fed sea, mountain succeeds mountain,
dense with luxuriant foliage, until lost
in the haziness of the distant blue,
veritable sea of mountains threatens to
engulf the verdant valley that nestles
below US, quietly resting, securely
guarded by its hoary sentinels OF thick
yeined cliffs. Here eartL looks TO
heaven with smiling countenance, and
heaven reioices at the gladness of earth.
The very clouds, that '.rise like e1hala-
tions" from the valley, and unlimited
enter our apartments, wear an air OF
fellowship. Phantomlike, as q breath
they pass and array their battalions OF
crlmuli to glorify the departure OF the
days sun.
And when night majestically spreads
her star-studded mantle over the bosom
of earth, and one by one the many
pointed consultations twinkle with
roguish friendliness, how much more
brightly appear these silvery decora-
tons from our mountain retreat than
when obscured and dimmed by clouds
of valley or smoke OF city.
Here the lover Of natural scenery
finds undying satisfaction. Every step
shifts the slides of the marvellous pano-
rama and throws before the eye q dis
solving view of blending shades, color,
outline and background, an enhancing
picture, n view that is never the same
Here nature charms by her creative
powers. With unflagging zeal sbe csu-
t,ously retouches her handiwork, lest
the eye grow weary and the soul become
satisfied. Here heaven and earth meet
il kiss OF such gentle tenderness that
vision cannot discern the touching OF
their lips.
Softly, almost tunconsciously, spirit
OF pride enters our heart, and with the
baastfulness of school lad, we claim
partnership in this grand country. A
patriotic impulse seiZes US. Our soul
harmonizes with nature. Our being
thrills witb new love for this ''sveet
liberty"
AS we wend our way over roads
carved through stubborn rocks, we
marvel at the works of man and confess
our Obligations toward the skIllful and
daring engineers and surveyors who
have wrest!ed from nature royal high
ways.
Gratitude and recognition are due
those whose brain and bra#n devised
and accomplished the wonderful wind
ing mazes of these mountain paths over
which we travel with ease, comfort and
pleasure. Neither man nor beast seems
to tire as mile upon mile of labyrinth
ian county pike is covered.
What q wonderful necromancer is
this gaunt old mountain. Every bend
of the road juggles with our senses and
the grand orchestra of nature plays
90 III onf I'm thu 6aY- E
terity of the conjurer. A low murmer
rs the Philemons and Paucises vow TO
one another love eternal; q soft rustic
Of the lowly plants, eager to make their
presence known; soothing sound from
the contesting waters that in gentle
rivalry precipitate each other over the
steep, rock clefts amidst the plaudits Of
their moist friends, destined to fall
into the ck-hollowed basin worn by
centuries of battering-all these sweet
melodies of the mountain hymn Q
psan to the Maker of all, q glorious
soul-stirrine hallelujah. They lift the
soul of man above the worries and
burdens of life. The nebul@ of cares
are dissipated by the gentle wooings OF
nature, beautifed by the land of deity.
Beautiful mountains of North Caro-
lima, so calm and majestic; so lofty and
inspiringi Would that mankind might
behold We, noted in the tints Of wood Z
lard, the hazy blue of atmosphere, the
soft shadow Of clouds and the benign
radiance of heaven! Upon your sum
miss, the king of day smiles with warm-
hearted geniality, and the full-faced
orb of night sheds her sofest leans Of
silyery brightness. Round you play
the storms of heaven, terribly majestic!
Amongst you dwell the peace of sun
shine and the grace Of beauty!
With regret we leave yoHr hallowing
presence and the abode Of your hardy
sons filing the steep slopes of your
stout ribbed sides. Back to the
haunts of men we wander. our vacation
ended. Homeward We turn our reluc.
taat step. but with new born strength
to assume the duties of life; richer in
health; wealthier in activity: nobler In
Thought
Enchanting land, farewell
DAVID MARX.
atlanta Constitution, Aug. II. q