speaking
both publicly and privately. Mr. George Chrisman, one of them, a man
of preeminent wisdom in things relating to government, publicly avowed
himself opposed to secession on the basis of both principle and
policy. "On the ground of principle," said he, "secession violates the
pledge of sacred honor made by the several States when they set their
hands and seals to the Constitution of the United States. On the
ground of policy," continued he, "the secession of Virginia will
culminate in the breaking up of her long-cherished institutions,
civil, social, and, to some extent, religious."

FRIDAY, February 1. Write to John T. Harris, our representative in
Congress. Beseech him to do all he can to avert the calamity that now
threatens us, by pouring oil upon the troubled waters until the
tempest of passion abates. I esteem him as an incorruptible patriot at
heart. May the Lord guide him and all the other lawmakers of our land.

SATURDAY, February 9. Martha Kline, wife of John B. Kline, dies very
suddenly to-day.

SUNDAY, February 10. Funeral of our dear sister, Martha Kline, at our
meetinghouse. TEXT.--"I have fought a good fight; I have finished my
course; I have kept the faith." Age, twenty-eight years and eight
days.

FRIDAY, April 5. Council meeting at our meetinghouse, William Summers
and wife, Harvey Fifer and wife, Sophia Fifer, Sally Wampler and Sally
Helbert are to-day baptized by Jacob Miller. A terribly malignant type
of diphtheria has recently made its appearance in the Shenandoah
Valley and is now invading our immediate neighborhood. Four of Andrew
Crist's children are now dangerously ill with the disease. Some in
other families have died; and others are sick. The outlook, both as to
health and peace, is very disheartening. But we are admonished in the
Divine Word not to fear. The people of God have a better portion than
this world can give--"an enduring substance, which death can never
reach."

SUNDAY, April 7. Attend the funeral of Christian Shoemaker in the Gap.
His age was about eighty years.

SUNDAY, April 21. Meeting at our meetinghouse. Great excitement on
account of secession and war movements. The volunteers are being
called out to enter the field of war, and God only knows what the end
will be. There is great commotion everywhere in the realm of thought
and sentiment, men's hearts failing them for fear, the sea and the
waves of human passion roaring.

THURSDAY, May 2. Council meeting at