Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-09-23
A Touching Incident.

The follow ing extract, taken from an &C
count written oy Rev. James Miller, and
quoted by the author of "Old Redstone, -
will give the reader some idea of the Pc
cuniary embarrassments of early ministers,
and Of the general state of the Western
country, and also of the remarkable inter-
position of Divine Providence for The re-
liei Of one of those ministers:
sour story" says Mr.. Miller, "wil carry
the reader back to the period when all North
of the Ohio River was almost an unbI oke n
wiIderness-the mysterious red III ans home.
On the other side, bold, hardy band frvm
beyond the mountains had built their log
cabins, and were trying to subdue the VIII
derness. To them every hour was full of
peril. The Indians would often cross the
river steal their children and horses, kill
and scalp any victim that came in theil
way. They worked in the field with weap-
onS 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.
| ~ cASoSH ~ tACoC oCstlcIS, MI SOScpu
Smith, Presbyterian minister, had left his
parental home, East of the mountains. He,
i, is said, was the second minister who
crossed the Monongahela. He settled in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, and be-
Game the pastor of Cross Creek and Upper
Buffalo congregations; dividing bis time be-.
tween them. He found them willing and
united people, but still unable to pay him
salary which would support his family. He,
in common with all the early ministers,
must cultivate farm. He purchased one
on credit, promising to pay tor it with the
salary pledged to him by his people, Years
passed away. The paster was unpaid -
Little or no money was in circulation
Wheat was abundant, but there was no
market. 1t could not be sold tor more than
twelve and ii half cents per bushel in cash.
Even their salt, which had been brought
across the mountains on pack horses, was
worth eight dollars per bushel. and twenty
one bushels of wheat had often TO be given
for one of, salt. The time come when the
payment must be made, and Mr. Smith was
told he must pay or leave his farm.
''Three years salary was now due from
his people. For the want of this, his land,
his improvements upon it, and his hopes of
remaining among beloved people, must
be abandoned. The people were called to-
I gether, and the case laid before them, and
they were greatly moved; counsel rom on
high was sought; plan after plan was pro-
posed and abandoned; the congregation
was unable to pay tithe of their debts, and
no money could be borrowed. In despair.
they adjourned to meet again the following
week. In the meantime, it was escertaned
| that Mr.. Moore who owned the only mill
in the country, would grind for them oil
reasonable terms. At the next meeting, T. it
was resolved To carry their wheat to Mr.
Moore's mill; some gave fifty bushels, some
more. This was carried from fifteen to
twenty miles on herses to the mill. In a
month, word came that the tlour was ready
to go 10 maket. Again the people were
called together. After aD earnest prayer,
! the question was asked, who will run the
| flour 10 New Orleansp Tbs was a startl-
| ing question. This work was perilous in
the extreme; months must pass before the
advsnturer could hope to return, even though
his journey should be fortunate; nearly all
the way Was wilderness, and gloomy tales
were told Of the Indians.
"More than one boats crew had gone on
| that jou' ney, and had come back no more
who then, could endure the toll and brave
| the dangerp None volunteered, the young
shrunk back and the middle aged had their
excuse. At length hosry headed man, an
elder in the church, sixty four years of age.
! rose, aud, to the astonishment of the as
! sembly, said Here | am; send me- The
deepest feeling ut once pervaded the whole
assembly. To see their venerated old elder
thus devote himsel: for their good, melted
them al! to tears. They gathered around
! Father Smiley to learn that his resolution
was indeed taken; that, rather than lose
their pastor, he would brave danger, toll,
and even death. After some delay and
! trouble, two young men were induced, by
| hope OF large reward, to go as his assist
/ ants. A day was appointed for startling.
! The young and old, from far and near, from
! love to Father Smiley, and deep interest in
| the objact of his mission, gathered together,
/ and, with their pastor at their head, came
down from the church, fifteen miles away,
to the bank of the river. to bid the old man
| farewell. Then prayer was offered up by
their pastor, and parting hymn was sung.
| Then said the old Scotchman, unite the
cable, and let Us see what the Lord will do
for US This was done, and the boat foat-
ed slowly away.
| "More than nine months passed, and no
word came back from father Smiley. Many
PRAYER had been breathrd for him, but his
/ fate was unknown. Another Sabbath came:
the people came together for worship, and
there, on his rude bench, before the preach
er, composed and devuut, sat Father Smiley.
| After service. the people were requested 10
meet early in the week to hear the report.
All came again. After thauks had been
returned to God for his safe return, Father
Smiley rose, ard told hls story: That The
! Lord had prospered his mission; :hat he
had sold his -four for twenty seven dollars
a barrel and then get safely back He
then drew OUT large purse, and poured ups
on the table larger pile OF gold than most
| of the spectators had ever seen before. The
young men were paid each one hundred
dcllars. Father Smiley was asked his
charge. He meekly replied, that he though,
20 have the same as one OF the young men,
though he had done quite as much work. 1t
was immediately proposed to pay him three