Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1901-05-22

line 10 miles in length, which fol
general evenness and beauty is un-
surpassed. To the North, locking
down upon us like sacred Ebal and
Gerrizim for blessing and cursing, are
the famous twin peaks known, for and
near, as the House Mountains. Within
such protecting walls nestles cur
lovely, somewhat hidden Valley, pre-
senting at this season of the year "a
rare mosaic Of picturesquencss. A
look from any one Of our many emf
nences will show land. scape views OF
endless variety, and unrivalled in
scenic effects. These pictures are
composed of meadows, uplands. high
pasture-lands animate with focks and
herds, steeply rolling farm lands,
primeval forests, dense motifs OF cedar,
aud blooming orchards, ALL of which
is now vocal with the blate of lambs.
the low Of kline, the song of birds, the
music OF waterfalls, and the gleeful
notes Of happy childhood. Then the
whole is domed by an arch of blue,
where reigns an eternal calm whate"er
elemt ntal wars may rage in cloud md
below. We need scarcely add, that
this dainty dell is dotted all over with
homes of every variety in which reside
a people of almost every name, who
doors ale open for hospitality, VIII Sc
hearts are warm, and Who are noted
for thrift, competency, and content.
ment.
10 this Valley, to these scenes, 10
these homes, and to these heats We
extend to you, che and al, a most
cordial welcome not only fol- this, but
to your annual convocations FIR the
next twenty years.
But we would add an especial
welcome for your works sa.e. Yeu
are here as an organized body in the
interest of our important branch Of the
church's service. You are here, be it
said, to stir up a holy zeal in Sabbath
Schools, to increase their number, and
to enlarge their usefulness. AS we
understand it, the Sabbath School is
designed to do an original and
supplementary work.
The original work is exemplifed in
the early efforts of that sturdy Scotch
man, Robert Raikes, who took pity on
the street waits whom no one cared |
for. and gathered them together on
Sunday evenings for instruction. The
necessity, which the cody Raikes so
clearly saw, has become universally |
recognized, and the teachers of Pro-
testant Christeneom of every name are
,ealously engaged in collecting and
teaching neglected children iu cities,
owns, and rural districts.
The supplementary work Of the
Sunday School has to do with the off
spring Of believing parents, who are
commanded of God o rear family
lltars IN their homes, to instruct their
children in Scripture truth, to strain
hem in the way in which they should
co." and to bring tho up Gin the
nurture and aamonition o + the Lord
Cor long years in the great Valley of
Virginia. and in the Mesopotamia Of
North Carolina, there was stereotyped
deal scene every Sabbath evening in
ach household of faith. 1t was that
4 father and mother with their loved
mes and dependents circleI around
hem, reading the Bible. reciting
'salms aud hymns, and repeating the
atechisms. But such parents with
he older members of their families are
he very people who organize and sus-
ain Sunday Schools for the neglected,
nd, as matter OF course, they take
he smaller children along with them
o profit by whatever supplem entail
raining they may receive in the
chools.
Again, we extend our warmest well
ONE to the Convention for your t
'ork's sake.