Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-04-11

New I Ork Obrerver. Who "Occident" is
We do not know, but the "Prairie Preach.
er" we understand, is the Rev. ]. G. Brown
D. D., now preaching in St. Louis, No.,
and brother of the Rev. 7. F. Brown Of
this city, Cleveland Herald.
The Prairie Preacher.
was lately travelling on one of the
great railroads Of the West when dis
covered near me minister of the Gospel
whom had seen before. Ispoke to him,
and took seat near him. 1 found be had
seen service and done service in the cause
of Christ. heard as much before. At
length started him on the subject of Mis-
sionary life on the Western Prairies. Here
l found him quite at home. l drew from
him the following narrative of one of his
tours. He said:
In the summer of lS4l, l was at a
camp-meeting in Indiana, where made
the acquaintance of a Methodist preacher.
He was man of catholic spirit, and
loved all who loved Christ. He had told
me of an an aged Presbyterian lady, liv-
ing over in the State of Illinois, where he
frequently preached, and proposed that l,
Presbyterian, should fill his next appoint
ment there. 1 gladly accepted his frater-
nal offer, especially in the hope of seeing
some of the dispersed people of God, and
particularly this mother in Israel.
In about three weeks l reached the house
Of the brother who had so kindly invited
me. From his residence TO the abode of
the old lady whom | specially desired to
visit, was, if l should follow the river,
20 miles, but in straight line it was but
IA miles. l determined l would 60 the
shortest way could, directly across the
unbroken prairie, guided the whole way
by little clump of trees, visible from eve
ry eminence on the line. But there were
three sloughs on the way. l was assured
that need not fear them however. The
first one was easily passed. The second
was about the middle of the prairie. l
did not like its looks. My want of expe-
rience in such matters, increased my fears
and left me without confidence. When 1
got to the channel of the slough, l found
it from four to six feet wide. Ipushed my
horse in, intending to make a bridge Of
him, so that l could reach the other side.
At first he sank pretty deep, but when my
weight was added, he was nearly covered
in mud and water. l sprang over his
head, reached the other side, exclaiming: /:
"What shall l dog If 1 should go for
help knew he would either be drowned
or out and gone before I could return. l
took the best position could to hold him.
l gave him the word. He made spring
or two and was again on dry ground. l
felt my gratitude warm. l knelt down
and gave thanks TO God.
By this time the weather was foul. 1t
was cold and wet. The third sloug l pas
sed without difficulty. l soon reached the
settlement Oh that side of the river. Here
| met reception "as cold as CHARITY" On
going to the house which l had been di-
rected l found the proprietor absent, and
the young doctor at the house knew of no
christians near at hand. At another house
l learned that the old lady, whom I spe-
cially desired to visit, was just across the
river. In fording, my horse fell and plung-
ed me into the water. AS l waded out l
remember l laughed heartily at my plight.
Ere long, however, l came in sight of an
improvement" as the people called it.
There was on it neat little cabin, white
washed and inviting. Passing through the
gate, l knocked at the door, and a very
pleasant old lady, between sixty and seven
ty years of age, plainly but tidily attired,
came to the door. l extended my hand,
saying: 81 am a Presbyterian minister; l
have come to find you out and to preach
the gospel 10 YOU" In life, by no means
eventtul, l have seldom, if ever seen such
tokens of gladness. A mother could not
have been more oveUoyed at the return of
her long absent son. True love is ingeuios.
1t was so at this house. The old lady,
with maiden daughter, had come to the
wilderness to make the glad home of sons
and brothers. Almost the first question
was: :"Have you been to dinner?" 1 an
swered in the negative, and away went the
daughter to make ready the best that could
be had. But l was wet and muddy, and
had no change of clothing except under
garments. The old lady perceiviDg my
condition said: "You are about as large
as my sob He has Sunday
suit; Put on that, and 1 will dry yours."-
Of course agreed ,and at once Withdrew
to small shed-room, and soon appeared
in the said Sunday suit. My father was
gentlemen of the old school. He wore
rufied shirts and fair-topped boots.
My mother, too, had taught me to be
nice, very nice, Here l was for the first
time in my life. in dress of Kentucky
jeans of the eminently clerical color made
by an infusion of black walnut bark. The
pantaloons had been cut when the fashion
had required great width just below the
waistband, and exceedingly plated so as
to get in all the cloth; but at the ankle, my
figure was, in my own eyes, grotesqe. But
what of all that? The mother was reno
waiting my own suit. A sumptuous din
ner was at hand. l was was in the bosom
of kind, intelligent christian family. We
blessed God for the meeting. We talked
about other times, places, and scenes. /
was happy man, Soon 1 was asked if l
would preach the next day, Saturday. on
this side of the river. Ny answer was:
"Of course, l never refuse" The neigh
horc vv.ra cummopad o,1 ..l 4 -.