Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-09-16
Woodstock Academy.

teeu.
Woodstock Academy.
This is the name Of the new institution
of the Virginia Chassis Of which notice
was given in the Messenger few weeks
ago. This school will be high grade
Academy for the education of boys and
girls. There has been long felt need
of school Of this character in this part
of the church, and it has been in actual
contemplation for several years, but not
until at the special meeting of Chassis at
Woodstock, on the 9th of August, 1898,
did Chassis see its way clear TO take del
mite steps toward its establishment
The members Of Chassis, recognizing
the importance of the project they were
called together to discuss, were deliberate
and prudent in their every action. The
business, all together required four long
sessions, during which much interest and
enthusiasm were shown, not only bS
members of Chassis, but also by promi-
nent citizens Of Woodstock and Edin-
burg.
Representatives from each Of these two
places earnestly solicited Chassis to locate
the proposed school in their town. promis-
ing their hearty cooperation and support
in every possible way. Woodstock was
finally chosen as the place of location
and the Board Of Trustees were instruct
ed to purchase, for.this purpose. a prop
erty consisting Of five acres of ground
and large substantial mansion, form
erly the home Of the late Hon. II. II.
Riddleberger.
Woodstock is the county seat Of Shen-
.r1oah county, in the beautiful and his
{, sic shenandoah Valley, about 60 miles
south from Harper's Ferry, and is in the
midst Of most prosperous and health
full community.
The valley, with its smiling farms and
flourishing villages" and skirted on
either side by majestic mountains, pre-
sents scene Of marked beauty and in
terest Yor heathfulness and grandeur
Of scenery, perhaps no town in the Val
ley is more highly favored than Wood
stock. and we believe that all interested
in the school will acquiesce in the opin-
ion of Chassis that she has wisely select
ed the site Of her institution.
The building is admirably situated on
an eminence in the southern portion of
the town, and on tie grounds are already
found a number of splendid shade trees.
Truly it can be said Of Woodstock AGA
deny: at is beautiful for situation
1t ha, the advantage Of being suffi-
GENTLY removed from the business por-
tons Of the town to be quiet and retired,
and yet,is convenient Ito churches, post
sflce:and railroad station. The Reformed
church IN Woodstock Of which Rev. \.
II. Skyles is the efficient pastor, and in
which the Potomac Synod will meet this
year. is one Of the most attractive church
edfces in the Valley.
1t is proposed TO open the school in
September, 1899 In the meantime the
building will be suitably equipped, and
Iperpaps enlarged, funds solicited, teachers
chosen and other necessary arrangements
made so far as facilities will allow.
The school will not be sectarian. All
though under the supervision of the Re
formed church, true TO the liberal spirit
of the church she will open her doors to
and welcome boys and girls from homes
OF other denominations from which she
already has the promise ola large patron
age.
Being a Christian Academy a religious
atmosphere will pervsde her students
and we have no doubt the Bible will be
given a deserving place, so that the stu
dents may be led to realize that "the fear
of the Lord is the beginning ofwisdom.
The Reformed church is not as large
as she should be in Virginia and her
,mallne,s can be attributed largely to the
lack of her educational facilities. She
has never had a school Of her own, and
her boys and girls, such as desired an
education, sought it. for the most part in
schools of other churches. Some have
gone to institutions of other States. Long
absences from home and other denomi-
national influences, in some cases strict
ly sectarian, have had tendency to
ALLEVIATE them from their own church,
and many have, thereby, found homes in
other churches, and thus much valuable
material has been lost to us.
BY attending a school Of their own our
boys and girls will retain their loyalty to
their mother church and remain within
her bosom to honor and strengthen her.
Schools Of this character have had a
salutsry effect upon other portions of the
church, and we feel sure that Woodstock
Academy will prove a blessing to Vir-
ginia Chassis.
Rev. J. B. Stonesifer was appointed
financial agent and Rev. A. b. Bsuman
his assistant. These brethren will in due
Prevention