Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin FunkKline, John
Religion
Life and Labors of Elder John Kline, the Martyr Missionary: Collated from his Diary by Benjamin Funk
Kline, John
Kline, John, 1797-1864
Brother Kline's experienced eye took in the whole scene at one view.
He says: "The scenery here is greatly surpassed by that of many places
within the Allegheny ranges. It is not nearly equal to the South
Branch Gap below Petersburg in Hardy County, Virginia; nor does it at
all compare, in sublime grandeur, with the Rocks at the mouth of the
Seneca, in Pendleton County, Virginia. It is tame in comparison with
either of these places. But so goes the world. It is with places as
with people. When one gets a name by being lauded high by some
distinguished personage, as Thomas Jefferson, for example, he soon has
the eyes and the ears of the world; whilst others, more worthy,
perhaps, in all the elements of true greatness, are left unnoticed and
unknown. This thought awakens my recollection of a stanza in Gray's
'Elegy.' It touches tenderly and beautifully upon the neglect and lack
of appreciation often experienced by real beauty, virtue and goodness.
Here is the verse:
"'Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear;
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'
"But we must tone our criticisms down to a just standard. The lack of
fame with many justly meriting it is not their own fault, nor is it
the fault of the world; but the trouble lies greatly in the place of
their birth and in the surroundings of their lives. If the South
Branch Gap had had its birth at Harper's Ferry the summit of its fame
would reach the clouds; whilst Harper's Ferry, born among the rugged
recesses of the Alleghenies, would never be thought of. The world is
not so partial and full of favoritism as we think. It readily takes up
what suits its uses and its tastes, without stopping to inquire
whether there might not be something better found."
Crossing the Potomac at the Ferry, they go to Brother Letherman's and
spend the night.
FRIDAY, September 1. Love feast at Brother Herschman's in Middle
Valley. Luke 3 was read. Three persons were baptized. Next day the
brethren go to Beaver Dam, and pass the night at John Garber's.
At this time letter postage was very high, as much as twenty-five
cents on some letters; and the transportation of mails very slow.
Regardless of this, however, by means of letters, Brother Kline knew
just where to go and what to expect before starting on a journey.
Appointments for preaching, councils and love feasts fell in the line
of his route from beginning to end. Have a little bit of patience,
please, and let me quote the entries just as I find them in the Diary
for this journey. If they do not interest you, they may interest
others deeply, especially the children and the grandchildren of the
good people named in them.
SUNDAY, September 3. Love feast at Beaver Dam. Luke 14 was read. Three
persons were baptized.
MONDAY, 4. Visit Brother Deah's and Saylor's, and stay all night at
Joseph Engle's.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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