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Among the Mountaineers of Virginia

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 47.

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Among the Mountaineers of Virginia

By Mattie Hamilton Welch

It was arranged that the closing exercises of our twenty-day institute at Lucas Hollow, near Stanley, should come on the fourth of July, with the hope that some seeds of truth regarding religious liberty might be sown in the hearts of those attending. Never, since the settlement of the Hollow, had there been a celebration, and the children did not know the difference between the Fourth and any other day.
SCHOOL PICNIC AT RILEYVILLE, VA.
SCHOOL PICNIC AT RILEYVILLE, VA.
These mountaineers are a liberty-loving people, and our program seemed to be much appreciated. Several young persons from the Stanley church came up to assist us; and as patriotic songs were sung, and the Declaration of Independence was read, the audience cheered again and again. The children readily responded to the questions asked them, in an oral test, on different subjects which we had studied together. As some of the leading events in the history of our country were given, the people seemed to grasp the idea that this is a great nation, and that our religious liberty must be carefully preserved.
Later in the summer I went by invitation to Mountain View District, near Rileyville. A number of persons have recently accepted the truth there, and they were anxious to learn the principles of healthful living. It was a pleasure to conduct cooking classes, and at our “last day” picnic dinner no chicken, pork, nor beef was served. The meal was pronounced a complete success.
The ten-day institute was held in a little log schoolhouse. At its close, the children were able to answer one hundred Bible questions and one hundred fifty on geography. Aside from this, they had been drilled in spelling and grammar. We closed by giving an illustrated lecture, and the audience seemed highly pleased as the pictures—Bible scenes, and views from Europe and our own country—were thrown upon the screen. They expressed their appreciation of our efforts, and said it was the first time any one giving free instruction and entertainment had ever visited their mountain. We told them that if they would only love and serve our dear Saviour, we should feel amply repaid for all our efforts. This is truly a blessed and inspiring work.
MRS. MATTIE HAMILTON WELCH.