ORPHANS’ FRIEND.
Vi’’od3i4*?-»4ljiy, OctoSjes* B7, ES77.
WOTJCf!! HV '5'fiafi^ ^VAV.
(continued.)
At night the church at Eleva
tion was full, and the people gave
serious attention. Brother Peters
followed with a good speech and
a fervent prayer. He mentioned
Girard College for orphans, and
said there were forty-two Asy
lums for orphans in Philadel
phia alone. How far behind the
age we must have been when rve
had none at all! The Lodge at
Elevation has a good house, and
the country is prosperous. ]3ut
there was no collection and we
seldom hear from them in anj'
way. At Averasboro, brother
Stewart met us and took us to his
home. The Methodist Bishop of
the diocese of Averasboro prayed
for the young, and at the close of
our exercises he was about to
make a good speech, but his wife
shook her head at him, and ho
stopped and asked for a collection.
Then we enjoyed a good dinner
up stairs, and Mr. Hodges, of
Cumberland, kindly took us
across Cape Fear to his hospitable
home. We went in the darkness
and rain to our appointment; but
deferred the entertainment till
Thursdaj'', at 11 a. m. At that
hour it was still raining; but the
audience was large, liov. D. 1).
McBride prayed for the young.
The D.D. is at the wrong end of
his name. He is a noble preacher,
and feeds a fat flock. He says
that in a pastorate of twenty years
his two congregations have had
only one member “ on the parish.”
How difficult to keep the pure
metal in a lively glow, when so
much of worldly dross surrounds
it I David Williams, of Cumber
land, proved himself a friend and
brother. Ho took us over the
roaring and swelling rivers,
through the wilderness of piny-
woods roads, and in the pelting
rain, to Lillington. He put back
a temporary bridge for one wash
ed away, and navigated o'ur wag
ons like boats. We have traveled
by land and by water; but we
never did both at the same time
before.
At Lillington the church -was
full. Brother Brunt prayed for
the children. He is a live preacli-
er and teacher and w’e are always
glad to meet him. But at all these
places the collections were small.
The people depend on cotton
and had not begun to sell. On
Friday we passed up the Cape
Fear, because it was too high to
cross. So many miles of sand and
pines. At last we come to Lick
Creek and the backwater from
Cape Fear is floating the bridge
and crossing is impossible. We
go up the creek and spend the
night with Mr. Andrew Brown
and Son. How fortunate to find
such clever people and so many
comforts.
On Saturday we jog along to
Lockville. Mr. Parham kindly
guides us around the high water,
and we reach Haywood. Our
appointment was well attended,
and we regret our failure. Neither
rain nor long roads have interfer
ed with our punctuality. But
Lick Creek, with its flooded low
lands and floating bridge, was too
dangerous for prudent people.
Well, Haywood is on the rail
road, and we can easily go there
in Noven.ber. fldio drive to
Holly Spring occupies the after
noon. Brother Altord makes us
welcome, and we are divided out.
The attendance is small, because
many supposed we could not
come across the high waters, and
.others liad sundry excuses. Bro.
Norris prays for the children, and
takes a small collection.
Sunday is a day of rest. Tivo
churches, but no preaching. Well,
re.st is needed. Holly Springs is
a very pleasant village. But the
Masonic Lodge reports very fee
ble health. Farewell, kind peo
ple. Kev. J. W. F. Rogers is
building a handsome house. Apex
is lively. Wo dine at Salem, and
drive to Morrisville. After some
delay we are distributed, and our
teams are shod for future use. At
night an angry storm sweeps over
the village, and the windows and
doors are closed. Alas, the ba
bies can get no air. Of course
they cry. Who could blame
them 1 Brother Maynard prays
for the young and requests a col
lection. One of our orphans is
also sick. We send for Dr. Hern
don and he comes through the
storm, and supplies the needed
remedy. Tuesday morning is
clear, and we are off for Rolesville.
In passing through Raleigh we
meet a man in distress. He has
brought an orphan from Robeson
and can go no further. Now
what shall he do with the orphan?
lie was certainly glad to see us
and the orphan is put in the wagon.
Brother Briggs informs us of sad
deaths in Oxford. At Rolesville
in good time. Soon distributed.
The large church is full. Brother
Holden, the jireacher on the cir
cuit, is there and prays for the
jmung. He .is good on a collec
tion, and contributions are al
ways liberal when he is present.
Wish the Bishop would give him
to the Grand Lodge. We need
always and every where just
such men. Dj'. Fleming attends
our sick girl and her recoveiy is
complete. The Lord bless the
doctors! On Wednesday we pass
Wake Forest find every body in
liealth, but busy. W. 0. Allen,
an excellent citizen, has moved
to Asheville to merchandise with
the very pleasant brother Pleas
ant. At Neuso Mr. McReath
shows us the wonders of making
paper out of old rags. Vast piles
of rags, pulp and paper.
We are soon comfortably quar
tered with Messrs. Allen and Nutt.
Attendance large. Mrs. Hunter’s
beautiful twins are present, and
are justly admired. Her venera
ble father, Mr. David Justice, is
too feeble and too much afflicted
to be out. A noble old soldier of
the cross, and very near his crown.
We are late in reaching Brass-
fields, but the people are ])atient
and attentive. What a dinner I
Chickens, pickles, pies and cakes,
and not a preacher present I Bro.
Cannady calls for a collection.
At Bullock’s, and late again.
People deeply interested. Bro.
Thompson arrives in time to take
a collection and to help us on that
tremendous dinner. Wo ate all
we could, filled our bag and
bucket, and were soon in Oxford.
A long and tiresome trip is ended.
The children arrive in good health,
without even a sore, and we find
all well except one boy' with rheu
matism. We have great reason
to be grateful for so many oases
in the desert of travel, so many'
kind friends by the way, so many
escapes from impending dangers,
and a safe return to our field of
labor.
PliOSPEKOrS GBANVIEEE.
All over the county, carpenters,
masons and painters are busy
building new houses and renova
ting old ones. Abundant crops
and good prices enable the farm
ers to enlarge their operations,
and to supply additional comforts
tor their families.
TEACUEB WAATED.
Yes, another teacher is needed
at the Orphan Asylum, and is
needed now. If a lady, twenty
y'ears of age, was educated by at
least one live and competent in
structor ; if she has had not less
than two years of successful ex
perience in teaching the usual
English branches and vocal mu
sic ; if she is able and willing to
do such work as is necessary in
the proper training and guidance
of orphans ; if she knows how to
feel an individual interest in each
of the children of her charge, she
is invited to forward her name
and recommendations. If she
is giddy', frivolous, or fond of
beaux and yellow-back novels,
wo advise her not to apply'. The
salary' is S25 a month and board,
and will bo paid on the last day
of each month, at 7 o’clock, ]i. m.
The Baptists, Methodists, Epis
copalians and Moravians being
already represented, preference
will be given to a member of some
other denomination. Wo never
write to “References,” and so
they need not be mentioned. As
we are making an honest search
for the most efficient teacher, no
attention will be paid to the
wishes of influential friends, and
it will be useless to write to any
of the relatives or family connec
tions of the Superintendent.
Wc would therefore urge upon our State
authorities; county trustees, township coin-
initteoincn, trustees of aeadeniies and colleges,
and jrareiits who have children to educate, to
turn their attention to this subject and insist
upon such au arrangement of the school sys
tem of the State as to inalve tlwrouglmcss in
study a prominent feature of education. To
limit tiio uuinher of studies pursued at any
one time and thus enable pupils to ccncentyate
thought, arid especially to insist upon sucli an
arrangement in tlie schools as will give teach
ers more time to teach, to explain, to lead the
minds ot their pupils in the paths of knowl
edge and study, untii, Ity tlie ado[)tiou of sys
tem and habit of application, tiiey will bo able
to travel tbesc patlis wi.liout a guide. Uuti!
tliero be reform in this respect, our schools
will fall far short of accomplishing the good
they ought to do.”
Tlie foregoing is the summary and
closing iiaragraph of an iuiicle on ed
ucation jinblished in a late nnmher of
the TJaili/ Ifeu's. AVo have read it over
several times, and are not now sure
tliat we coinjirchend its scope. The
writer wislies “ to make thorongliness
in study a prominent feature of educa
tion.” A\'e thought tlioroughuess of
study was already the in'Oininent fea
ture of education. AVhat a jiity to
bring it down to a feature! “ To limit
the number of studies.” AVell, the.
proper number depends on the kind of
studies and the capacities of the stu
dents, and must be regulated by the
teacher. If he has not sense enough
to attend to ids own business, bettor
trade him. A genius can always pros
ecute to advantage more studies than
a pewter-head, and the dray-horse
needs more hay tlian the racer.
The same writer wishes to “giv'e
teachers more time to teach.” We
never knew how a teacher could have
much time for any thing else; but a
teacher should never be addicted to
“much .speaking.” Ills work is not to
explain, but to hear extilanations. lie
insihres a love for learning, selects
studies and text-books, and conducts
examinations. It would be difficult to
discover a more unmitigated nuisance
tlian a talking teacher. Tlie following
paragraph, from the.National Teaohere’
Monthly, expresses our sentiments:
“ In visiting a school, recently, we were re-
mindctl of the story told of the grocer who
had a pound of sugar returned with a note
stating, ‘ Too much sand for table use and not
enough for hnilding purposes.' There was
too much talk for good teaching, and nut
enough for a docent stump speech. It will
take some folks until the millennium to find
out that eommunioation is not teaching. The
gilt of gab is almost as bad as entire dumb
ness. It is strange how exceedingly well some
people love to hear themselves talk.”
Lilesvii.t.e, X. C. Sept. 11th. 1877.
Mr. J. II- Mills- Oxford N. C.—
My Dear Sir;~I see in the Wilmington
papers that you have recently made a tour
of the country west of the llliie liidgo through
the counties of Henderson, Transylvania and
Haywood, and as I am seeking iufonnation
concerning that portion of the State, especially
of the counties mentioned, I tvould he glad if
you would write and give me a brief account,
in geueral terms, of your im])ression.s and
ideas of that section.
Is it a good farming country f Are lands
cheap or not? AVhat of the intelligence of the
people? Are tliey manifesting any interest in
education now ? What of the condition and
]n'ospects of Jndsou Female Institute at
Hendersonville, and of the scliool at Wayucs-
viile? Is there a school at Ilrevard? What
of tile religious interests ? How about the ma
terial coudition of that section ? Are the peo
ple generally prosperous, and is there any
evidence of enterprise and improvement
among tliem ? Do you know whether or not
tliere is a paper edited at either of the places
named ? How are tlie professions represent
ed ?
Any inlormation you may give me of that
section will place mo uuder obligations to you.
I write to you, because I kuow you never
visit any section without finding out all about
its people, and that you are always as ready
to impart information as you are to receive it.
I am here on a visit and hope you will find
it convenient to reply early.
Very truly Yours
C. H. Sl'ESCEE.
Our abseiioo preventoil earlier atten
tion to tlie foregoing letter. AVe lately
visited Himconilie, Haywood, Jackson,
Swain and Jlacon. So far as wo can,
we will comply with tire request of onr
friend. Tliere are many excellent farms
on tlie upper tributaries of the French
Broad, in Henderson and Transylva
nia. Land varies from fifty cents to
one hundred dollars an acre; but the
soil is more productive than yon would
suppose from its appearance. The hills
and mountains also are steeper than
any you would expect to cnltH'atc.
Hillside ditelics and horizontal rows
arc necessary. But crops are heav.v,
and the fruits are ))lentiful and of de
lightful flavor. The people arc about
as intelligent as those around you; but
they have not been accustomed to
daily xiapers. They travel freely, and
many strangers visit them. They are
zealon.s for elementary edneation, and
attend the free schools in large num
bers. Most of tlie academies are call
ed colleges, and every teacher claims
to be “ Professor.” Hence tlie people
are often humbugged. A man, some
years ago, did a large casli business
teaching arithmetic in tlircc honr.s,
and tlie people lie swindled seemed to
enjoy' it. Still there arc many reading
men and some fine scholars in the
West; but tuition is too low to attract
first-class teaeliers. Judson Institute
is not in operation. I!ev. 1). B. Xelsoii
i.j collecting funds to complete the
building. Tlie school may succeed;
but tiiere is no very' great demand for
collegiate education, and the main
liope of the scliool is to draw patron
age from a distance, till the people
realize tlie valne of higher education.
There is a good academy at AA’ayiies-
ville. AA’e do not know wliether there
is a school at Brevard. But most of
them admit botli sexes. In fact the
boys and girls are bout on going to
school together. . The people are gen
erally religious. Most of them are
church members. They sing sweetly,
pray' fervently, and preach as well as
a limited education will allow. The
people live well, and are kind and hos
pitable; but lumber is scarcer and
transportation is more difficult than
with yon, and so the houses are small
er ; yet tliey are generally sung and
comfortable. The people arc always
ready for a good investment and are
equal to any emergeuey' in trade.
They can take care of their own inter
ests. There are two papers at Aslie-
ville, two at Hendersonville, one at
Franklin and one at Murphy. The pro
fessions are full. Preacliers, lawyers
and doctors are abundant. The cli-
inato ill winter would probably be
colder tliaii yon would desire; but in
summer the cool nlglits, the cold
mountain water and the luscious fruits
are sucli as every man would enjoy'.
Tlie scenery is grand; but you can not
feed a family on landscapes. Hay of
every kind grows luxuriantly, and corn
is cheap. Between tiie Blue Eidgo and
the Alleghaiiies there are no ticks nor
horse-tiies, and in our oiunioii, a well-
managed stock-farm would pay better
than anything else, A fiirmer making
corn, wheat and hay' and selling colts
and mules can live easily and well.
CAEtxIlX A T.4KTAK.
A lazy glutton ran away from
the Orphan Asylum. He com
plained that we did not give him
enough to eat. Of course not;
for we did not intend to satisfy
his morbid appetite. He would
soon have killed himself. But
he ran away and took up in Cary
with a man in need of hands.
The fanner soon found that he
had (not a hand, but) a dead-head
boarder, and applied to the Su
perintendent for relief. Better
pass him on towards bis home.
If a boy says he is just from the
Orphan Asylum, and can not
show an “ Honorable Discharge,”
he is apt to be a dangerous cus
tomer. Better give him the road.
USiBKEAKAIlEE GEASS.
The French papers speak of
the new Bastie glass as an article
of undoubted value, capable of
many important applications. It
is tough as well as hard, resisting
the action of fire, and can be
made specially serviceable for
water conduits and a variety of
culinary utensils, instead of the
enamel or the leaded tin now so
much employed in certain de
partments of the hardware trade.
An account is published of
some additional experiments made
in Baris to test the value of the
article, the results appearing to
have been remarkably satisfactc-
ry. Thus thin plates of tlie ma
terial were thrown on a tiled floor
from a height of three metres,
t lat is, a little more titan nine
feet, without injury; they weie
then hurled with violence about
the room and against the w'alls,
and held over gas jets, a yveight
ot one hundred grams being also
dropped on them from a height of
three metres, but all w'ithout any
eftect. As is well known, tlie re
sisting temper of this neyv kind of
glass is obtained by means of a
chemical bath, to wdiich it is sub
jected when hot from the furnace,
in these experiments some of the
specimens showed more resisting
power than others; those wdiich
yielded to the blows which thev
received, only broke in the spots
wliere they were hit, and there
was a remarkable absence of con
tinuous cracks — vvheiever the
hammer took effect the glass lost
cohesion and transparency, and
was reduced to granulous parti
cles.— Welcome Guest.
—The learned Porson was the
victim of abstraction to an extent
that rendered him forgetful at
times to eat. “ Will }'ou not stay
and dine,” asked Rogers the poet.
“ Tliank you, no ; 1 dined yestcr~
day !” he replied. Dr. Parr asked
him before a large assembl}' what
he thought about the introduction
of moral and physical evil into
the world. “ Why, doctor,” said
Person, “ I tliink we should have
done very well w'ithout them.”
And it makes us laugh to liear an
ignorant person, who was anxious
to get into conversation with him,
ask, if Captain Cook was killed
in his first voyage. “ I believe
he w’as,” answered Porson;
“ though he did not mind it much,
but immediately entered on a
second.”
TlIOEOUGir rUEPARATION.—Unless
a teaclicr kiiow'S a great (leal more
about a lesson tliau lie expects to
to.ich, he will do a great deal less teach
ing than he exjiects to. Ho teacher
can ever teach all tliat he knows.
There is not power enough in the hu
man brain to entirely empty the brain.
There must be soiiiothing left in to
push out the last thought that is made
available. Surplus knowledge is hy
no means au unimportant aoquisitiou
to a teacher.—Earnest ^Yorl;er,