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Valley Spirit: December 7, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Attempt to Abolitionize the Methodist Episcopal Church
(Column 5)

Summary: Speech of Hon. D. A. Ogden, a "prominent layman," condemns the Methodist Episcopal Church of New York for passing a resolution that effectively brands anyone a "traitor" who does not support Lincoln.

Origin of Article: Rochester Union

To Our Patrons--Special Notice
(Column 1)

Summary: Explains that the present high price of paper makes it necessary to raise the Valley Spirit's subscription price from $2.00 to $2.50 per year.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Argues that A.H. Coffroth is the winner of the congressional race, and that the military votes still uncounted are illegal and should never be counted.
(Names in announcement: A. H. Coffroth, Gen. William Koontz)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Disputes a Repository claim that the story of a soldier who was denied the vote because he wanted to vote for McClellan is false.

The Political Pulpit
(Column 1)

Summary: Praises those ministers who have refrained from getting involved in politics and regrets that those who have become politicized have diminished the church's power.

Sanitary Expenses
(Column 3)

Summary: Criticizes the Sanitary Commission for spending $3.00 in administrative costs for every $4.00 in relief given to soldiers.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Says that the Valley Spirit will not substantiate its charges of fraud against the Repository editor until he backs up his claim that the Valley Spirit tried to "cheat" its favorite candidates into office.

The Elections in Pennsylvania--an Authoritative Statement of Results
(Column 4)

Summary: Explains that when the army vote and the proxy votes are all counted, McClellan will have proven victorious in Pennsylvania.

Origin of Article: World

Trailer: C. L. Ward, Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee of Pennsylvania

Necessity of Party Opposition
(Column 5)

Summary: Argues that despite being a minority, the Democratic party may be able to impose a check on Republican power by resisting its policies.

Origin of Article: Sunday Mercury

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Members of the Synod of the German Reformed Church in Philadelphia solicit contributions to help restore the church's printing establishment, which was burned in the Chambersburg fire, and to move it to Philadelphia.

Trailer: Charles Santer, John Wiest, A. L. Kaub, Chas. Wannemacher, Geo. Gilbach, Wm. Mayburry, Philadelphia, November 1864

Benefits of War
(Column 6)

Summary: Debates whether the war has produced any blessings and concludes that it has yet to produce one.

Origin of Article: N. Y. Commercial Advertiser

The Proposed Amendment to the Constitution
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports on the proceedings of the national convention that is proposing a constitutional amendment recognizing God.

Full Text of Article:

The Convention relative to the proposed amendment to the National Constitution, acknowledging God, continued its sessions in the West Arch Street Presbyterian Church. The attendance was large. Rev. Dr. Edwards presided.

Letters from Hon. B. Gratz Brown of Missouri, Prof. J.F. Winkler of Buffalo, Rev. L. W. Habil of Wisconsin, Rev. Dr. Durfield of Detroit, and others, favoring the movement were read.

Revs. A.M. Whitstone, A.C. Todd, James McDonald, Prof. McIlvaine, and others delivered addresses upon the doings of auxiliary societies formed in various States.

A session was held during the afternoon, and a number of addresses on the subject were made.

In the evening, Dr. Edwards called the meeting to order; when the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That a national recognition of God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures, as proposed in the memorial of this Association to Congress, is clearly a Scriptural duty which it is national peril to disregard.

Resolved, That in consideration of the general diffusion of religious intelligence, principles and institutions throughout our country; in view of the many express recognitions of Christianity by the Constitutions, and the legislative enactments of the several States, and in view also, of the religious history of the founding of this Government, it is a striking and solemn fact that our present National Constitution is so devoid of any distinctive Christian feature that one of our Chief Magistrates once refused to appoint a day of fasting and prayer in an hour of public calamity because the nation in its Constitution recognized no God and another, in contracting a treaty with a Mahomedan Power, hesitated not to declare that the Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion. It has in itself no character of enmity against the laws and religion of Mussulmen.

Resolved, That the measures proposed by this Association are not sectional nor sectarian, nor partisan, but the general voice of Christian patriotism, asking that which is right and wholesome, which is keeping with our antecedents, and which will not operate oppressively upon the conscience of any citizen.

Resolved, that the state of the times, recent and present, and the state of pu[b]lic sentiment, warrant and encourage the attempt to secure the amendment of the Constitution which is proposed by this Association.

Resolved, That the hour of chastisement is the hour of repentance, amendment and reform, and that in such a day of national trouble and rebuke as has befallen us, every reformation from sin is valuable and important; it is clear that in acknowledging God, in exalting His Son and in diffusing the principles of His word through all our Government and Administration, not only is there no mistake committed, but an end of the first dignity and importance is secured.

The convention adjourned with prayer.

Arrest of Editors in Kentucky
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that Democratic newspaper editors in Kentucky are being arrested and sent beyond the lines.

Origin of Article: Cairo (KY) Democrat

Childrens' Aid Societies
(Column 1)

Summary: Expresses regret that a childrens' aid society is moving into nearby Shippensburg. Says this will mean more juvenile crime and depravity for the area.

Fatal Occurrence
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports on the shooting death of a soldier in an ale shop in the eastern part of Chambersburg. The shooting occurred when a lieutenant entered the shop, demanded to see the passes of three soldiers sitting there, and shot one of them when the three tried to escape.

A Barbarous Custom
(Column 1)

Summary: Chastizes local children for running to see the corpse after hearing about a death in the community.

Full Text of Article:

Under this caption the Newville Star of the Valley remarks:

The children of our town have fallen into a confirmed habit of flocking in a body to any house in which a death has occurred, for the purpose of gazing upon the remains. At such a time the grief of survivors in a family from which a loved one has been taken is too sacred for such rude intrusion, and parents should see that their children are not permitted to make these untimely visits.

The above applies with equal force to our own community. No death can occur without crowds of rude ill-mannered children rushing into the house containing the corpse, to the annoyance of relatives and friends. The nuisance has become almost intolerable and some of our citizens on the occasion of a death in the family, have been compelled to lock their doors in order to keep out these rude intruders.

Ladies' Fair
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that the ladies of Waynesboro are planning a fair to be held in the town hall over the holidays. The fair will benefit the Christian Commission's work for sick and disabled soldiers.

Court Martial
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that a general court martial is taking place now at the Franklin Railroad Depot.

Enrollment of State Militia
(Column 2)

Summary: Explains the rules surrounding the enrollment of the state militia, including who is to be enrolled and who is exempt.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Rev. J. F. Oller married John W. Good and Sarah Ann Stoler on November 24 at the residence of the bride's parents.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. F. Oller, John W. Good, Sarah Ann Stoler)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Rev. J. F. Oller married Jacob Price and Rachael Davis on November 27.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. F. Oller, Jacob Price, Rachael Davis)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: William H. Funk and Mary B. Sibbett were married on December 1 by Rev. W. E. Krebs.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W. E. Krebs, William H. Funk, Mary B. Sibbett)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Rev. James M. Bishop married David W. Nigh and Nancy Ann Tarner on November 1 at Pleasant Retreat Parsonage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James M. Bishop, David W. Nigh, Nancy Ann Tarner)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: J. Smith Grier died last Saturday morning after a "protracted and painful illness." His age was not given.
(Names in announcement: J. Smith Grier)