The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-05

ever. s. moi the oliy inhabitart 81
this country Hieh up in the Cum
hefiand mountains and just Wet
Of the centre 81 Tennessee We find
the promise Of better things ID the
establishment Of q modern school.
livingstone Is q settlement far
above theSayeragc in education, In
dustry, and religious love for all
that makes for civilization Al
pine School has a rectangular tract
Of land Of about 40 acres. purchas-
ed with money raised by the noun.
taineers in two days. This Is evil
dence OF the worth and the value
they place on education. II add.
tional proof Is desired consider the
growth OF the school from so 70 $50
In two years. Part Of this Is due
10 the efficient corps of teachers
but part 10 their awakening to the
essentials of life.
Al large building OF stone has re-
Gently been begun and is to be mod.
ern and complete in every way. An
equally well built stone house fof
the teachers is nearly finished.
School houses are far apart in this
district and only three months Of
school Is provided each year with
inadepuateIy paid teachers. Edu.
cation has therefore lapsed so that
instead Of cultivated minds the peo-
pie have the sharp eye. the skill.
full hand and the shrewd reasoning
Of the pioneer.
Religion Is a natural part Of the
popntatneer's makeup. We may
not agree with the way he express.
es his religious emotions, but none
can doubt his sincerity. The pro
traeted meeting Spring and Fall,
with the circuit rider making an
appearance twice a month, offers
about the only outlet to his emo.
lions. Occasionally a singing mas
ter will hold forth for several
nights in a settlement and at such
times we hear such songs as Il
Feel Like Going On" set to the
sort Of music that renders 1t Of
little worth outside. The lassies
have high sweet voices though in'
clined to be loud and shrlll.
During many months Of the
year 1t requires a good team and
skiIlful driving to bring an empty
wagon to this place. Therefore 1t
is only natural that the man Of the
community will be content with
what he has and makes the best
OF 1t to supply HIS needs. Shut IN,
he becomes a living monument Of
the past and only where lines OF
communication are open can the
pulse Of civilization be felt. BACK
In the hills he remains the ICON.
temporary ancestor"
The conditions are changing and
arc bound TO change more. In the
distance We hear the rumble of the
giant blast breaking up the bout
ders. These old hills are rich in
coal and minerals and the slopes
are covered with valuable timber
Shafts, tunnels, forges and anyils
are at the door and industry Is go
ing to enter with the insistent driv'
ing civilization of the twentieth
century.
Will the change be for good OF
evil? There are elements that
make for the best and there ara
others that make for the worst
One thing IS sure. the Christian re
ligion and education make for the
best. Tho question is, will 1t pre-
vail over modern business and
.Mammon? Some OF the children
are already assimIlating the knowl'
edge OF the church and school and
a few have gona back into the hills
Much, but not all, depends upon the
diligence and devotion Of those en-
trusted with this work. Something
depends upon those at home in the
"Gecond line defence" with prayers
interest and gifts. Education and
religion will ultimately win. The
vital thing for each of us is to dc
our best in the part assigned to us
by God in His work. Al engaged
in His program have the promise
~ His nartnnrshtn