Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-12-05

l6NluS dttoluCN us SOtu ohii'SLSy
and with the record in which we take
pride tonight, is largely due to the
strenuous cranking and faithful work
of those early state agents which was a
necessity then to get it started.
On a brief glance at the names OF
those who participated in the organiza'
ton and service Of our auxiliary in its
early years, we recall Rev. DR.. D. II
Bittle, a man of type and family who
did things worth while; Rev. DR.. c. W.
Andrews-the Sunday School hymn
says, Be Hero! He was easily that
in his day in this community, as an able
and fearless champion Of every good
cause, not only in church, but temper
ance and education; and from the num-
Der Of others, (some of whom are rep
resented here this EVENING" | men.
ton, by reason of long service, John
Keplinger, 7. W. Latimer, Lloyd Lick
lider and E. |. Lee, all of whom have
gone to answer the roll call up yonder.
and their works do follow them.
But | would feel remiss if | omitted
in this sketch proper tribute to the
memory of the venerable and sanity
Rev. Walter Scott Long, and his annual
visits for many years as state agent, and
his personal and persistent house-to-
house canvass to raise money in the
spirit of this one thing do and in spite
of many a rebuff and cold shoulder, not
unfelt, but UNDECIDED by him. He was
very anxious in his late years, and be-
fore he laid down the work, to have
Bible canvass of the county made, and
at the meeting in 1884, at his instance
it was undertaken and completed the
next year, and on his return in 1886,
feelingly expressed the great pleasure
it gave him to know it had been done.
And being his last meeting, by reason
of age, touchingly babe farewell to the
auxiliary, but with the one earnestly
expressed hope that he might be spared
a visit to Jerusalem, lifelong desire,
and that he would then be ready to de-
part in peace. He was permitted to
visit the Holy Land, and return safely
and spending the remnant of his days
with a son in New York, long since took
his last journey to the New Jerusalem
but is still tonight remembered by
what he has DONE"
In later years, to avoid trouble in ar
ranging a convenient date, and to en-
able holding a union service, by con-
currence of all the pastors OF the town.
the second Sunday evening in October
in each year was fixed and agreed upon
and they have been regularly so held
ever since, and had been arranged for
and announced accordingly this year in
the auditorium of Shepherd College
where they have been held for several
years past, though in earlier years, in
rotation, in the churches of the town.
Again, recognizing as the result oil
experience, that in making the raising
of money too prominent feature of the
meeting, tending to hinder and impair
the interest and proper impressions OF
the value of the Bible itself, led to the
present system of each church and de-
nomination taking up its own collec'
ton at such time in the year as best
suited it and the paying of the same di
rect to the treasurer of the auxiliary, so
as to leave the offering at the annual
meeting voluntary one.
Omitting further details Of the earl
Ter years, except to add that the annual
meetings were held and donations OF
from $50 to $50 year regularly made,
come down to October, 1908, when we
observed our 10th anniversary. The
address was delivered by Rev. w. E. Ell
lott, of New York, who had been a rep
resentative of the parent society in
China for several years; special offer
ing was asked in aid Of the Mrs. Russell
Sage 100000 endowment fund, the
response going over the top Of our S10C
apportionment with S125.00, and sup
plementing it with an additional S250C
later.
Our donations (apart from the book
account) to the parent society were: in
1909, $50; 1910, $40; 1911, 1912, 1913.
each, $50; 1914 and 1915 each, $40
1916, $50; 1917, $50, with an additional
$50 to equip two companies with khaki
testaments.
Our auxiliary also observed by public
meeting the centennial anniversary OF
the parent society, held on the evening
of May 7, 1916, and raised and sent
special centennial offering of $50 And
by additional contributions from time to
time through the years OF $50 each, sew
eral of our members have been consti-
tuted life members OF the parent So
ciety.
A retrospect of so years Of any or
ganization that has survived that long
would naturally bring to one who hao
been actively associated with il through
that period a food OF memories that
would be interesting to relate, and
specially the last half-century-a period
of most wonderful events and achieve
ments-and so they come to me on this
anniversary night, but with limited time
another speaker is to follow must
hasten on and pass them by without
even mention, much less comment.
This, however, is not meant to be
memorial service over defunct auxil
iary, though | regret being compelled
to say that the report Of the parent so
cety shows that many have fallen out
of the line during this period, and but
few left still reporting and helping
making it so much more important that
our auxiliary should stand BY the colors
and not only maintain but keep pace
with the advancing years.
We can't live on the past record, anc
any reference to or review OF it is only
worth while TO the extent Of its being
an incentive and inspiration to greater
activity and more efficient service.
Hence, there comes to me tonight the
earnest and anxious question, what is II
L 4.r%tt :