The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1858-10-22
a TouoHINa INoInEMr.

The following extract, taken from an
account written by the Rev, James Nil
lr, aud quoted by the author Of "Od
Redstone," win give the reader some idea
If the pecuniary embarpssments Of early
ministers, and Of the general state Of the
Western country, and also Of the remark
able interposiLion Of Divine Providence
for the relief Of one Of those ministers:
"Our story" says Mr.. Miller, "will
carry the reader back to the period when
all north Of the Ohio river was almost an
unbroken wildorness--the mysterious red
mans homo. On the other side, bold,
hardy band from beyond the mountains
had built their log cabins aud were try
ing to subdue the wilderness. To them
every hour was full peril The Indians
would often cross the river, steal their
g ildren aud horses. kill and scalp any
victim that came in their way, They
worked in the ield with weapons at their
side, and on Sabbath met in the grove or
rude log church to hear the word Of God,
with the rifles in their hands.
"To preach to these settlers, Mr.. 10.
seph Smith, a Presbyterian minister. had
elt his parental home, east Of the noun.
tains. lie, il is said, was the second min
lister who crossed the Monongahea. He
settled in Washington county, Ponnsyl-
vania. and became the pastor OF Cross
Greek and Upper Buffalo congregations.
dividing his time between them lie
ouud them willing aud united people,
but still unable to pay him a salary which
would support his family. lie, in com
mon with all the early ministers, must cul.
tivate a farm. He purchased one on cred.
it, promising Ia pay for it with the salary
pledged to him by his people. Years
passed away. Tho pastor was unpaid
Little or no money was in circulation
Wheat was abundant, but there was NO
market II could not be sold for more
than twelve and half cents per bushel in
cash. Even their salt. which had been
broughtaerosst the mountainso on pack-hors
es, was worth eight dollars per bushel
and twonty.one bushels Of wheat had offer
to be given for one of salt The time cam,
when the pay ment must be mace, aud Mr.
Smith was told he must pay or lea 0 his
farm.
"Three years salary was now due from
his people. For the want Of this. hi.
land, his improvements upon il, and hi,
hopes Of remaining among a beloved poo
Pile must be abandoned. The people wer,
called together, and the case laid befor,
them. and they were greatly moved; coun
sci from on high was sought; plan after
plea 'Vas nrauusvd aud abandoned; tn,
con Ireqation was unable 70 p"J -.
their debts, and no money could be Dor
rowed. In despair, they adjourned I,
meet again the following week. In Tho
mean time, II was ascerained that n Mr.
Moore who owned the only mill in tn,
country, would grind for them on reason
able terms. AZ the next meeting, II wa
resolved to carry their wheat TO Mr.
Moore's mill; some gave FIFTY bushels
some more. This was carried from fifIee
to twenty miles or horses to the mill
a month, word came that the -four wa
ready TO 90 to market. Again the peopl
were called together. After an earne'
PRAYER, the question was asked, who wi
run the -four to New Orleans9' This wa
startling question. This work was pei
ilous in the extreme; months must pas
b ifore the adventurer could hope to return
even though bis journey should be Gortu
nate; nearly all the way was a wilderness
and gloomy tales were told of the lndi
ans.
"More than one boats crew hal gon,
on that journey. aud had come back n
more. Who, then. could endure the toi
and brave the danger?' None volunteered
the young shrunk back, and the middle
aged had their excuse At length, hoi
ry-headed man, an elder in the churcl
sixty -four years Of age, rose, and, to Il
astonishment of the assembly. said: Her
[ am; send me- The deepest feeling
once pervaded the whole assembly. T
see their venerated old elder thus devot
himself for their good. melted them all {
tears. They gathered around Fathc
Smiley to learn that his resolution was IL
deed t,ken; that, rather than loose the
pastor, he would brave danger, toll, an
even death. After somo delay and trout
e, two young men were induced, by hol
Of large reward, to 60 as his assistant
A day was appointed for starting. Al
Young and old, from far and near, fro
love to Father Smiley, and deep intere
ia the object Of bis mission, gathered :
gether, aud, with their pastor at the
head, came down from the church, itte'
miles away, to the bank Of the river,
bid the old man farewell. Then pray
was offered up by their pastor, and a par
ing hymn WAS sung. Then said the o
Scotchman, until the cable. and let
see what the Lord will do for us Th
was done, and the boat Aoated slow
away.
more than uine months passed, Al
no word oama back from Father Smile
Many prayer had been breathed for bt
but his fate was unknown. Another ST.
bath came; the people came together {
worship, and there. on bis rude benc
before the preacher, composed and deyol
d sat Father Smiley. After service,
n people were requested to meet early
r. tho week. to hear the report. All car
4 again After thanks had been return
: 10 God for his safe return. Father Smil
. rose, and told his story: That the 10
. has prospared his mission; that no b