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24 TF
SOME IMPRESSIONS OF THE KERR
VILLE ENCAMPMENT.
As an ideal place for a summer conference
the Presbyterian encampment
near Kerrville, Texas, deserves special
consideration. After a recent stay on
the grounds of five weeks or more, I am
enabled to arrive at some pretty fair
conclusions.
In the first place, the significance of
any locality depends to a great extent
upon the spirit, mood or frame of mind
in which one visits it. To one not fona
of life in the open, tenting can offer but
few attractions. But to him who, in the
love of nature, holds communion with her
visible forms, Kerrville of the hill country,
the gem of the Guadalupe valley,
indeed speaks a varied language. The
mountain effect, the elevated altitude,
1,750 feet above the sea level; the winding
river, now deep and strong, now
.shallow and Bluggish, with rapids, shoals,
eddy and bass hole, following one another
in rapid succession, the constant
gulf breeze, the bathing, the boating, the
angling, produce a combined effect on
the visiting tourist that is hard to
duplicate 111 any otner part or tlie world.
Such is the testimony of men who
should know. The valley is devoted to
agriculture, and the hillsides to sheep
and goat raising. A million and a half
pounds of high-grade wool handled in
one season by one individual is not a
bad enterprise, especially when he advertises
in connection witn n:s unincorporated
bank, "Individual responsibility,
more than one million dollars."
The elevated atmosphere gives to the
visitor a verve and energy that seems
like a new lease of life. In the hottest
weather perspiration passes off very
readily, breathing is easy, heat is not
oppressive, and the nights renew the
tone and vigor of the boay.
Plans have been perfected for the
erection of a boys' training school on
the encampment grounds?a magnificent
site, summer and winter?but bricks can
not be made without straw. A quarry
of first-class building stone, almost in a
stone's throw of the grounds, and no
means of utilizing it! And more, even
the possession of these lovely grounds
is jeopardized through lack of capital
wherewith to operate. How many golden
opportunities the Presbyterians of Texas
have, in the past years, allowed to slip
from them through their lethargy!
But one says it is so difficult to get to
Kerrville. Well, all roads lead to San
Antonio. From there it is Impossible to
lose the way. There is but one way?up
the mountain country via the "Sap"
railway, seventy miles right into the
heart of nature. The great obstacle in
the way of such a trip is not the expense,
it's making the start. It is cheaper than
going to Colorado?one an , one-third
fare the State over. It is a better trip
because there is less excitement, less
worry, and It is a less strenuous life?
better, too, because up in the beautiful
Guadalupe valley you meet with congenial
companionship, with comrades
tried and true, with kindred spirits to
enjoy a feast of reason and a flow of
r t
IE PRESBYTERIAN OF THE SOUT
soul. This last is, after all, the best;
and nowhere else In the Southwest can
it be found in its unadulterated fullness
as a: these encampment grounds.
The outlook is full of encouragement.
That boys' school is going to be built.
There is little doubt of that. Straws
show the direction of the wind. Men of
means have begun to consider the matter
seriously. One has already erected
his summer cottage on the grounds. A
iaay nas provided in her will for a gift of
$10,000. A committee has been appointed
to push the matter. The very
fact ihat there is a station at the grounds
is evidence of the confidence of the railread
in the project.
The attendance during the month of
June and early July of this year has been
a record breaker. Serious doubts are
being entertained whether accommodations
will be sufficient for the coming
Chautauqua. But come on. Additiona:
cots and tents can be obtained if needed.
The cuisine of this season is unsurpassed
anywhere. A bevy or lovely giris
serve at the table. The matron is in
her element and rises with the occasion.
x ne uDiquitous manager, Mr. Hoon, is
surpassing even himself.
An effort will be made to make this
the summer rendezvous of the Student
Volunteer workers of tke Southwest.
The Kerrville citizens have already arranged
for the next summer normal to
be held during the encampment period,
so that teachers may enjoy the high latitude
and invigorating climate, together
with an intellectual and spiritual uplift.
Why should not Texas have her own
Winona or Montreat? Has she not the
patiiotism, the energy, the resources?
And where, if not right in the cluster of
rock-ribbed Guadalupe hills, on the
grassy banks of the pebbly-bottomed
river, winding in and out amongst those
hills, where "the dweller in the mountains
is always happy."
D. F. Eagleton.
Austin College, July 19, 1909.
LEXINGTON P RES BYTE RIAL UNION.
The fifth annual meeting of the Woman's
Missionary Union of Lexington
Presbytery was held at New Providence
Church, Rockbridge county, Virginia, on
June 2 and 3, 1909. Five officers and
forty-one delegates were present, and
four new societies joined, making a total
of forty-four now belonging to the Union.
The reports from the officers showed
faithful work done and good results outflinoH
TKo ~? ' "
. uc icjjuno nuui sucienes were
gratifying, showing progress. The report
from the last meeting of the Synodical
Union was given by Mrs. John Robson, of
Mossy Creek.
It was a privilege to nave with us
Mrs. Calvin Stewart, of Richmond, who
gave an earnest talk on "Motives in
Missionary Work," and was helpful
throughout the meeting.' Mrs. E. P.
Bledsoe, of Lexington, had prepared a
beautiful memorial of Mrs. William Collins
(nee Josephs Allen), who was the
first vice president of the Union anu one
of its most consecrated and gifted workers.
?H. August 4, 1909.
The first afternoon Dr. James t>.
Woods, of China, made u splendid address.
The second afternoon a talk on
the Holy Land, by Dr. W. N*. Scott, of
Staunton, was enjoyed, and Dr. J. H.
Taylor, of Washington, D. C., made a
stirring appeal for missions.
The following delegates u-cre eiecteu
to attend the next meeting of the
Synodical Union: The retiring president,
Mrs. R. G. Vance, of \\ nvnoahnm'
G. A. Wilson, of New Providence; Mrs.
Rosser, of Williamsville, and Mrs. G. K.
Poster, of Mt. Horeb.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing term of two years: President,
Mrs. H. C. Wise, Lexington; secretary
and treasurer, Mm. Ethel G. Wade,
Raphine. The next meeting of the
Union will be at Mt. Horeb Church, in
June, 1910.
The memory of the thoughtfulness and
hospitality of the people of this historic
old church will be a lasting pleasure,
and the broadening of id^as, the increase
of zeal by coming in toucn with othei
workers, and the spiritual uplift received
are uermanent hlpsaincn
Ethel G. Wade, Secretary.
Raphine, Va.
THE NEW WOMAN
Made Over By Quitting Coffee.
Coffee probably wrecks a greater percentage
of Southerners than of Northern
people for Southerners use It more freely,
'lhe work it doe3 is distressing enough
in some instances; as an illustrat.on, a
woman of Richmond, Va., writes:
"I was a coffee drinker for years and
for about six years my health was completely
shattered. I suffered fearfully
with headaches and nervousness, also
palpitation of the heart and loss of appetite.
"My sight gradually beean to fail nnH
Anally 1 lost the sight of one eye altogether.
The eye was operated upon and
the sight partially restored, then I became
totally blind In the other eye.
"My doctor used to urge me to give up
coffee but 1 was wilful and continued to
drink it until Anally in a case of severe
illness the doctor insisted that I must
give up the- coffee, so I began using _ ostum
and in a montn 1 felt like a new
creature.
"I steadily gained in health and
strength. About a month ago I began
using Grape-Nuts food and the effect has
been wonderful. I really feel like a new
woman a?d have gained about 25 pounds.
i am quite an elderly lady and before
using Postum and Grape-Nuts I could
not walk a square without exceeding
fatigue, now I walk ten or twelve without
feeling it. Formerly in reading I could ?
remember but little but now my memory
holds fast what I read.
"Several friends who have seen the
remarkable effects of Postum and GrapeNuts
on me have urged that I give the
facts to the puMic for the sake of suffer. .
lng humanity, so, although I dislike publicity,
you can publish this letter if you
like."
Read "The Road to Wellvllle," in pkgs.
"There's a Reason."
Ever read the above letter? A new
one appears from time to time. They
are genuine, true, and full of human
Interest. *