Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-08-06
AT MOUNT JACKSON.

The writer last week attended the SUM-
day School Normal Institute held under
the auspices OF the Potomac Conference
of the Lutheran Synod of Virginia at Mt.
Jackson, one OF the picturesque and hos
pitabIe towns of the Valley OF Virginia.
The sessions began Tuesday afternoon
and closed Thursday, and every meeting
was interesting from beginning to end.
Rev. DR.. J. A. Morehead, president OF
Roanoke College at Salem, delivered
series OF lectures on Christian education
that were the mostimpressive expressions
of true culture and real ''higher educa-
ton" to which we have ever listened.
Broad in conception, of clear vision, and
based on the solid foundation OF Christian
truth, his lectures were helpful and inter
esting 10 an extraordinary degree. Rev.
DIR. E. c. Cronk and his wife, of Column
bia, S. c., took prominent part in the
work of the normal, demonstrating mod
ern methods OF Sunday school work and
presenting in attractive, practical form
the plans and purposes and results OF the
right sort of Sunday schools. The mu-
sic of the Sunday school, the missionary
shirt. the best methods OF teaching, the
accomplishment of desirable results were
discussed by DR.. Cronk and his talented
wife in the most interesting manner.
Others who were active in the work OF
the institute and who discussed important
topics were Rev. Geo. S. Bowers, d. d.,
of Winchester; Rev. S. w. Kuhns, OF
Woodstock Rev. E. A. Repass, Phi. D..
of New Market; Rev. ]. w. Link, OF
Strasburg; and other laymen and minis
tiers also took part in the proceedings.
Tuesday night Rev. DR.. Cronk delivered
an illustrated address on "The Mission
Field" which was Of greatest interest.
He presented many beautiful scenes from
Japan, with the Lutheran churches and
schools established in that country, and
also showed the prominent educational
institutions of the United Lutheran Synod
of the South. Wednesday night Rev.
DR.. H. N. Miller, OF Marion College, pre-
scented most enjoyable and instructive
illustrated lecture on "Lutherans and the
Reformation, which was appreciated by
a very large congregation.
The president OF the convention was
Rev. w. B. Oney, of Shenandoah county.
He was a live wire, and presided over
the sessions with spirit that was lnlnl-
table-there wasn't dull moment while
he was in charge. All of the sessions
were we'll attended, delegates being pres
ent from every charge in the conference,
and lively interest was manifested in all
the proceedings. The local pastor, Rev.
B. A. Copenhaver, gave himself most un-
selfishly to the success OF the convention
and the welfare of the visitors.
The delegates and visitors were most
agreeaoly and Hospitality entertained by
the people of Mt. Jackson, and fellow
ship with these good friends was so
pleasant that there was general regret
when the normal came to a close. Those
time tested Virginia delicacies, tried
chicken and country cured ham, with all
the accessories, were in the usual album
dance, and nothing was left undone for
the pleasure and comfort of the visitors.
Mt. Jackson is a charming town ofsome
500 inhabitants in the very richest part
OF the famous Valley OF the Shenandoah.
The valley turnpike is its main street,
along which are the business houses. On
the side streets are many handsome mod
ern homes and substantial old mansions,
where the people live in comfort and
contentment. The town has fine sup
ply OF purest water, brought from springs
on the MasSanutton mountain couple OF
miles TO the east, and has also modern
sewerage system. Mt. Jackson is most
picturesquely located. The valley here
is narrow, and the mountains are around
the town like the mountains about Jeru-
salem. The beautiful Massanutton is a
mile or two to the east-bold and massive
and verdant in the summer sun, with
other ranges just beyond. The Shenan-
doah river flows along the edge OF the
town in peaceful, quiet beauty. But there
is nothing more attractive and beautiful
about Mt. Jackson than the splendid
farming lands with which il is surrounded.
Here is the agricultural cream OF the
State-or of any other State, for that
matter. The rich river bottoms a mile
across, where the wheat grows so thick
a binder can scarcely cut it and where
the corn Just now resembles young
forest, stretch in luXlriant richness TO the
uplands where the blue grass fattens the
cattle on the thousand hills. while the
mountains milk the clouds OF generous
showers and stand as bulwark against
devastating storms. 1t is hard TO imagine
a more beautiful or delightful scene than
the view of these magnificent farms,
where peace and plenty abide in such
completeness.
II is worth good deal to spend few
days among the people OF that section OF
the valley. The hospitality there has the
genuine flavor. The kindness OF the
people comes from the heart. The al
mosphere OF the place is so full Of con-
tentment and tranquility, the habit and
thought of the people is so congenial,
that one is visibly impressed by his en-
vironment-and Already seems very near.
The writer wishes that he could express
his appreciation of the hospitality and
courtesy OF the friends with whom he |
mingled at Mt Jackson and tell OF the |
pleasures found in the renewal OF old &C
quaintance there after number OF years |