February 5, 1904

 

The protracted meetings that are now in effect are overshadowing the community with a halo that is felt not only in Milton, but exploited elsewhere. Who can notice the earnest work of the noble women who are daily congregated to advance the cause of Christianity and morality in their work? Anyone with a heart in the right place; anyone where training has been else than the herd, cannot but feel a pang when he scrutinizes himself and inquires with his dual nature: “Why am I not with them?” It will be admitted that these seasons of revival are beneficial. When Christian love (or excitement) hold sway, an amelioration of condition is evident–with exceptions noted. “Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord! shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that-doeth the will of my heavenly father.” Is Christianity a fable or a foible? When a poor girl goes to the drug store for a prescription for a sick sister and is refused the medicine because she cannot pay for it, what think ye of the protestations and the good Christian feelings of that druggist when expressed before his brethern and sister in love assembled? We are aware there are constitutional peculiarities in different individuals. There are persons of a sedate turn who if a three storied house was to fall down beside them, would simply turn his head and look; perhaps make no comment; there are others who are all excitability, who in seasons of protracted meetings will jump around and kick up their heels like a wild kangaroo, and at every protracted meeting have to be converted over again. Now this communication is no slur on the church, for sooner than slur my “alma mater”-I would wish myself to be “anathema maranatha”[i]; but the reader well knows that what we have said above is correct. It is not our province to judge the motives or peculiarities of the people, for did we sit ourselves in judgment upon them our decision would not be of a favorable character. However, “Let the tares grow up with the wheat and when the harvest comes, etc.”

I. T. Wilson, a former assistant postmaster, has been appointed as mail carrier on the-rural route that will begin from Milton on March 1st. At that date the regular mail route from Milton to Waples will be discontinued. As Mr. Wilson has removed into Kent County since the examination for carriers, it is not likely he will accept the position.

It is often thought there is one person who can fill a position in this age. This is generally brought about by a continuance in office so long that the community thinks the prolificity of the incumbent cannot be duplicated. Experience shows the reverse. The post office at Milton was never better managed than at present. Mr. Black and his efficient daughter are doubtless doing their best to cater to the patrons—-in their official line. Miss Letitia appears to have found her forte, and the business-like manner, graceful dignity and natural politeness, combined with her geniality of character leads one to believe that she is to “the manner born.”

Perhaps one of the most eccentric characters of Milton came to his end on Friday morning. William Jackson Vent, known as “Captain Jack,” has been a noted personage around Milton for many years. Several years ago, and for many years, he was known as “Captain of Broadkiln Beach,” a name in which he glorified; and there was much reason for “Captain Jack” doing so, as he had under his command, or supervision, the cottages of Dr. W. J. Hearn, Charles Connolly and others, which paid him well. “Captain Jack” fell down stairs on Thursday morning and died at 3 o’clock on Friday morning of concussion of the brain. Funeral services on Sunday afternoon, and interment in M. E Cemetery, Rev. H. S. Johnson performed the last sad rites. S. J. Wilson & Son did the rest.

Postmaster John Black is confined to his home by illness

Mrs. Lydia Black fell last week and had it not been for J. M. Lank, who caught her, would have sustained serious injuries. Under the conditions her injuries were merely a scare, and she is able to be around, though like all other sensible elderly people, […] shy of icy pavements

On Friday afternoon there was considerable commotion near the post office. Supposition was there was a fire in the office, as there was so much noise and squealing. The writer was passing and the merchants who are interested in a 3 per cent premium on their fire insurance policies, hollowed to us, “What’s the matter? Burst the door open and see!” I looked through the window and reported, “Nothing wrong; a lot of young girls on a “sieve.”

Captain Charles Magee, of Philadelphia, has been visiting his mother and sister.

The telephone meeting that was held last week, according to the “Times,” is said to be very successful to the favored few.

The apple problem that was published two weeks ago and answered last week, is an old thing, and we supposed everyone knew it. It is found in Brook’s “Social Arithmetic,”[ii] but instead of “apples” it is “pigs.” Give us something hard.

The extra meetings took a different turn on Sunday afternoon at the M. E. Sunday school. There are reported to have been seven conversions on this occasion; and these conversions among the most unruly boys of the school.

The eyes of all lovers of heat are turned toward the schooner Simpson that is reported down the river laden with coal. It is hoped she will arrive soon.

People may talk about the “ground pig,” but it must be confessed the day for his advent was the nicest we have had for a long time. No doubt he saw his shadow, and there are forty days more of bad weather for us. O, My! It looks like a pity that such a day that was given to the advent of the little pig—may we not call it the anniversary of his birth—should be a forerunner of so much bad weather for the human kind. Perhaps the little fellow has made a mistake, as this is “leap year.”

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[i] 1 Corinthians 16:22: “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” [If any man not love the Lord, a curse be on him.] Anathema is a Greek word for “curse” and Maranatha is Aramaic for “any man.”

[ii] “Social Arithmetic” was a chapter in Edward Brook’s Methods of Teaching Mental Arithmetic, published in 1860. The term “social arithmetic” referred to problems in the form of puzzles that could be shared in a social gathering.