February 12th 1900
Letter from G.O.H.
EDITOR REGISTER:
Lunenburg is not very far from Berwick in the valley, but it is a very different place. Not only is that difference seen in the surface of the earth and in the surrounding ocean with its ornamental white wings and puffing smoke-stacks, but in the state, perturbations and moisture of the enveloping atmosphere. It rains, rains, and clears up, to rain again as soon as possible. It may be that most of our blessings come down but some things that come down are not blessings. We read in the good Book of "Fire and brimstone coming from Heaven;" that was not a blessing to the inhabitants of Sodom. The "prince and power of the air," sometimes gets permission to work great destruction by the element which bounds the sphere of his operations. He certainly had something to do, in the terrible tornado mentioned in the first chapter of the Book of Job. The control of all these things, however, belongs to the Most High though his judgments may be inflicted by satanic agency. Here is the proof. "Causeth it to come whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy." Job, XXXVii, 13.
Let no one suppose that this reference to the weather indicates fault finding with Providence. No cyclone or famine comes by chance. Nor will the devil ever receive permission to eliminate one of the seasons of the covenanted year.
It begins to look in that direction since 1900 came in view. Winter has shown his face once or twice for a day or two, only to attract the south wind with its many square miles of saturated moisture.
The gulf stream I apprehend has more to do in this matter than any other influence.
Another difference is manifest. You have about sold out with a fair price your good crop of apples. We have not been so fortunate in selling our large catch of codfish. The chief market for many years, Puerto Rico, is almost closed, since the Spaniards left. Hence the price has fallen. Last year, 1898, it was about four dollars per quintal, now scarcely three. Fishing is not a paying business when the price is less than three dollars. There is a similarity however in business methods between the two places. Many fish are not properly cured and some apples not honestly packed. That has long been a besetting sin in the valley, but is being laid aside. Fifty years ago, the first time I saw a barrel of apples from Cornwallis was one that fell from a truck on the street in Halifax. Its contents revealed as much rubbish in the centre as the heart of the deacon contained who packed it.
I still continue to cherish and entertain a very high appreciation of and love for the people in the apple valley. For intelligence, morality and religion, they are quite equal to any in the province. Like the poetic thought of loyalty, I can say of the vale, "With all thy faults I love thee still."
Your local news still interests the mind of G.O.H.
Lunenburg, Feb. 12th, 1900.