The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-05-16
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A Touching yslctdent.

prices, before ordering them done elsewhere.
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Touching Incident.
The following extract, taken from an ac-
count written by the Rev. James Miller, and
quoted by the author of "Old Redstone,"
will give the reader some idea Of the pecu-
MARY 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 relief
of those ministers:
"0ur story, says Mr.. Miller, "will carry
the reader back to the period when all north
of the Ohio river was an unbroken wilder
ness-the mysterious red mans home. On
the other side, a bold, hardy band, from be-
yond the mountains had built their log
cabins, and were trying to subdue the will
derness To them every hour was full of
peril The Indians would often cross the
river steal their children and horses, and
kill and scalp any victim that came in their
way. They worked in the fields with
weapons by their side, and on Sabbath met
in the grove or a rude log church to hear
the word or God, with their rifles in their
hands.
"To preach to these settlers, Mr.. Joseph
Smith, Presbyterian minister, had left his
parental home, east of the mountains He,
it is said, was the second minister who
crossed the Monongahela. He settled in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, and be-
came the pastor of Gross Creek and Upper
Buffalo congregations dividing his time be-
tween them. He found them willing and
united people, but still unable to pay him a
salary which would support his family. He,
in common with all early ministers, must
cultivate q farm. He purchased one on
credit, promising to pay for it with the sal
AIRY pledged to him by his people. Years
passed away. The 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 TO be brought
across the mountains on pack horses, was
worth eight dollars per bushel; and twenty
eight bushels of wheat had often to be given
| for one bushel of salt. The time came
| when the payment must be made, and Mr..
| Smith was told he must pay or leave his
| farm. WI
Three years salary was now due from his
people. For the want Of this, his lands, his
| improvements upon it, and his hopes of re-
manning among beloved people, must be
abandoned. The people were called togeth-
er, and the case laid before them, and they
were greatly moved; plan after plan was
proposed and abandoned; the congregation
was unable to pay tithe of their debts,
and no money could be borrowed. In des-
pair, they adjourned to meet again the fol-
lowing week In the meantime, il was as
certaiued that Mr.. Moore, who owned the
only mill in the county, would grind for
them on reasonable terms. ut the next
meeting il was resolved TO carry their wheat
TO Mr. Moore 8 MILL some gave fifty bushels,
some more. This was carried from fifteen
TO twenty miles on horses to the mill. In a
month, word came that the -four was ready
to go TO market. Again the people were
called together. After an earnest prayer,
the question was asked, "who will run il to
New Orleans2" This was q startling ques-
ton. This work was perilous in the ey-
treme; mouths must pass before the adven-
turer 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 GU
that journey, aud had come back no more
| Who then, could endure the toll and brave
the danger = None volunteered, the young
shrunk back. aud the middle aged had their
excuse. AT length, a hoary-headed man,
an elder in the church, sixty-four years Of
ago, rose, and to the aStonishment of the as
sembly, said Here am; send me-" The
deepest feeling at once pervaded the whole
assembly. To see their venerated old elder
thus devote himself for their good, melted
them all to tears They gathered around
Father Smiley to learn that his resolution
was indeed taken; that, rather than lose
their pastor, he would brave the 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. day was appointed for starting
The young and old, from far and near, from
love to Father Smiley, and deep in the OBJ
jeet of his mission, gathered together, and
with their pastor at their head, came down
from the church, fifteen miles away, to tine
bank of the river 10 bid the old man fare
well. Then a 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 float
ei slowly away.
more than nine months passed, aud no
word came back from Father Smiley. Many
prayers had been breathed for him, but his
fate was unknown. Another Sabbath came;
they came together for worship, and there,
on his rude bench, before the preacher COM
posed and devout, sat Father Smiley. After
ser-ice, the people were requested to meet
early in ths week TO hear the report All