The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-20
For TUE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"reminiscences of a Pioneer.

ant, careful for nothing" Anon, a
pressure is upon us, and the burden of
our sighingis, why art thou cast down,
o my soul. and why art thou disquieted
within me ?" Tears come unbidden.-
We weep, and we can hardly tell why.
1t was in the midst of seasons when l
was subject to this latter state of mind
that l received the following letter which
I shall not apologize for making public
There a still few on the passage of life
whose heads are seen like the shipwreck-
ed mariners of the Eneid,
"Rari, nantes IN gurgite rastO,"-
in whose bosoms viii be awakened pecu-
liar sensations at the sight of letter
from the hand of Archibald Alexander,
written well on to forty years ago.
Rev. and Dear Sir,-Your letter, re-
ceived sometime since, affected me not
little, and l hope will produce some good
fruit, as it has led me to speak often of
the much neglected and important terri
tory where your lot is cast. l also read
it, agreeably to your wish, to our senior
class, and requested that it might be
communicated to the Society of Inquiry
on Missions at their next meeting. |,
moreover, applied earnestly to one or two
individuals, urging them to go to Arkan-
sas, but they felt themselves to be COM
mitted to go elsewhere. The bearer of
this, however, Mr.. Henry R. Wilson, one
of our beloved students, and country
man of yours, has been led to look even
beyond you, and is now on his way to
Dwight, where he expects to spend his
life in missionary labOrs. He is, as you
will soon find, man of the right spirit,
and l know it will refresh your weary
spirit to hold communion with one who
has so long breathed the atmosphere of
Princeton. Mr.. w. has studied medicine
as well as Theology, and may be useful
among the pagans in double capacity.
Mr.. Fleming and his wife whom you
know, Or. S. daughter,) will, expect,
accompany him. Mr.. F. comes almost
from your own neighborhOod. So you
see that some good thing may come out
of Nazareth This remark was intend
ed as pleasantly, there being an unusual
number of students in the Theological
Seminary from that old Scotch-Irish re-
gioa.) l can hardly wish you greater
JOY in your pilgrimage than to meet with
such devoted men from your own Semi
nary, so far to the West. As Bunyan
would have said, Pluck up your spirits,
man. Be of good heart. The Lord has
not forsaken you. Soon, trust, you
will see the wilderness around you bios
somins as the rose, and the desert be-
coming as the garden of the Lord.
1 write you no news, because these
dear brethren can tell you every thing
which you may wish to know.
1 enclose you a page of compendious
information respecting the studies and
the expenses of the Seminary which may
be satisfactory to you, and may enable
you to answer questions respecting it.
We have been greatly favored as it re
lates to the cholera. 1t never entered
the Seminary or any of our houses, but
it came into the midst of us with appal-
ling violence. Some of our students,
only a few, Judged it prudent to flee.
Perhaps it will have reached your place
before this reaches you.
When you write again, mention such
places as it would be best to occupy as
preaching stations in your territory
Write also to the Secretary of the Board
of Missions, and expostulate with him on
account of the neglect with which that
country has been treated.
There are sad divisions and heart
burnings in the Synod of Pennsylvania.
They are now in session at Lewistown,
and Mr.. Dufield's book on Regeneration
will be brought before them. 1t has been
censured by the Presbytery, and the au-
thor, with some others, has complained
to the Synod. Philadelphia is quiet
since the meeting of the General Assem-
bly,. At Princeton we go on in our old
track. We are not party men, and we
inquire for the old paths, and we endeav-
or to walk in them. Farewell.
A. ALEXANDER.
P. S.-The health of the Professors
has been preserved. Mr.. Junkin has
opened manual labor school near to
Easton, Pa, under favorable prospects.
His brother is with US.
Where would be a good site for Col
lege in Arkansas? and where will proba-
bly, be the permanent seat of govern
ment? Is there much emigration Of
Presbyterians into the territory? Are
Cumberland Presbyterians friendly, and
how far do they deviate from the stand
ard of orthodoxy with US? The Camp
bellites have nearly ruined the Baptist
Church in the West, and are also spread