Smyrna times., 1904-07-06

Fifty years within any century of
the worlds progress exhibit such
marvellous changes as nearly to OBJ
literate the identity of the most sparse
ly settled centres of population. The
multltudinOus facilities of communi-
cation and transportation during the
last half century have completely
transformed the commercial, social
and civil conditions of mankind.
Smyrna has scarcely been an ex-
ception to this extraordinary meta
morphOses, although not much alter
alton is apparent in the tout ensemble
OF It's physical features. While the
Typographical and architectural char
acteristics remain much the same, the
personnel of the inhabitants of course
has greatly changed.
The men and women who were con-
splcuOus in those days Ill town and
churches have mostly passed away,
and their places are we'll filled by
their children and new corners who
have arrived from time to time.
The Conservative and Religious Tore.
A consensus of opinion appears to
prevail to the effect that there is
general slackening of grip of religious
interest and influence throughout
Christendom. Whether that be true
OF Smyrna or not we are unable to
say; but of one thing we can speak
with confidence, and that is that in
auld lang syne this was a Church
going community, particularly among
the young people, who usually
crowded the Sunday Schools and the
Churches at the Sabbath evening ser
vices. This, however, is a folk lore
touching such vogue in this town that
stretches backward immemOriallv,
making clear its title to a stirling
brand of social creme de Ia creme.
To this cause largely is doubtless to
be attributed the fact that the standard
of moral excellence here attained a
higher plane than the average of
similar sections of the country. The
amiable vices that so commonly
marred other villages of the land were
noticeable for their absence here. A
dominant moral tone pervaded society
and held its members to a strict OBJ
servance of the pastoral and social
amenities, which ever mark the best
selfal duties and conditions. We do
not call to mind a single young man
of Smyrna who at that time was ad-
dicted to strong drink with it's atten-
dant evils; nor do we remember that /
any of our ''set" was afflicted with .
the common malady technically known
as Megacephalosis. The vicinage has
therefore been remarkably free from
crime and Odious caste distinctions of
every description during it's mosaic
history.
An Eccentric But Estimable Parsonage.
An eccentric but estimable parsonage
in the community and Methodist
Church fifty years ago was Peter
Lober. He was effervescent in re.
ligious experience, and apt to shout
on the slightest provocation, particu-
larly during Church services. Some
times when the sermon was specially
sOporiic he would suddenly break
forth in stentorian voice, GLORY" or
''Hallelujab, waking the echoes and
the auditors as the preacher had not
been able to do. In this respect he
was a decided helpmeet to a prOsaic
pulpit. 1t might be we'll to have such
a factor IN every Church, to be sprung
on occasion, which we understand fire.
quentIy occurs. 1t is said that once
when the preacher was dilating warm
ly on the text: Except We repent, We
shall all likewise PERISH" that Uncle
Peter was taking his customary nap,
and suddenly awaking just as the
speaker vigorously repeated the text,
he (LOber) exclaimed "GlOry," so
completely cOnvulsing the large audi
ence that for the nonce their devotional
spirit was entirely dissipated.
Then There Was No Railroad Outlet.
Then there was no railroad outlet
for passengers or products, nor inlet
for visitors or merchandise. The
public channel for such purposes was
by water via Bombay Hook, to and
from which point there was slow tran
sit by ramshackled hacks ana spawned
horses, over corduroy roads, quite
iolting the wits out of the unfortunate
travellers over that route. This much
used road, speaking metaphorically,
seemed to be ''frozen in summer and
thawed in winter" when not infre-
quently the numbering stage was
stalled in mud or snow. making the