The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-20
Cherokee Mission.

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our missionary to the Cherokee Nation.
Southern Presbyterian.
PARK HILL, Cherokee Nation, I
Dec 80, '66.
Rec. d. Leighton Wils0a, Columbia, s.. g.
"DEAR SIR: A little over four years
ago left home and all was worth near
ly, in this world, consisting of furniture,
books, farming implements, horses, cat
tie, hogs, and sheep, but all are now
gone, either taken or destroyed by the
Federals. My houses have been permit.
ted to stand, but not without being dread
fully abused. Yet it was-pleasant to get
back. My feelings on the first sight of
home after so long an absence, can bet
ter be imagined than described. Who
has not often felt the farsszyfzthe Ian
guage of the poet long since expressed,
There's no place like home So felt
while away, and so 1 felt on returning.
On entering my house, my thoughts nat
urally reverted to scenes gone by, to hap
py hours spent here with dear ones who
are now no more-some lying in the
graveyard near by, and others in grave
yard at the Sulphur Springs in Texas.
1t afforded mournful pleasure also, to
visit our old school house, our meeting
house, and other familiar spots around
home. Our school-house still stands, a
living monument of the good done to
many Of the youth of this country; but,
having fallen into other hands, and been
stripped of all the plank, it is ready to
to fall. In this precious old house all
my children received their primary edu-
cation, and much of their moral and re-
ligious training. And our meeting house,
although standing, has been very much
abused 1t is brick building, you
know, about sixty feet wide. 1t was
built by contribution, the A. B. G. f. M.
having borne considerable part of the
expense. Oar church bell, which was
also paid for by contribution, is still
hanging, ready, at any moment to call
the people together to worship God. In
our graveyard, near our house of wor-
ship, lie the remains of ten of the MEM
bers of this church who have gone to
their rest
Their labors done, securely laid,
In this their last retreat,
Unheeded o er their silent dust,
The storms of life shall beat.
Here also rest the remains of the
Rev. Samuel A. Worcester, for thirty
four wears faithful and beloved mis-
sonary Of the American Board among
the Cherokee people. Though dead, he
-yet-speaks ia this people in the Scrip
lures, Hymns, and other works he as
sisted in translating and giving to them
in their own language.
,"As / have now been at home among
the northern portion of my people over
two months, | have had an opportunity
of seeing good many of all classes,
both high and low, and rich and poor,
and have heard them express themselves
on various subjects; and l am satisfied
that the two parties can live together
again if they will try. That there will
be jealousies and prejudices in the minds
of some is to be expected; but / trust
all parties will pursue such course as
will ever promote peace and harmony
among them.
"Thc National Council closed its an
nual session on the Sd instant. The
Northern Cherokees are in power, of
course, and have the control Of all mat
ters touching the welfare of the people,
both civil and religious. The Council
passed an act establishing several addi-
tional public schools, making in all, thir-
ty-two, scattered over the Nation, which
are to be put in operation by the first of
March. Two schools are also to be es-
tablished and put in operation for the
blacks. An act was also passed estab-
fishing two Orphan Institutes, male and
female, to 90 into operation as soon as
some religious Society can be found will
ing to take charge of them. am one
of a committee appointed to establish
them.
"The different missionary boards are
invited by the Council to resume their
labors in the Nation, and the Baptist
Home Missionary Society has already
been permitted to establish station at
at Fort Gibson, eighteen miles west of
Park HILL The Moravians also have
been permitted to establish a station
They will occupy their old station at
Spring Place, thirty miles north of me.
although | have been in this neigh
borhood for some time, am sorry to say
| have preached but little. | preached
twice at Tahlcquah during the sitting of
the Council. Both meetings We're well
attended; the second Chief and several
members of the two branches of the Ma
tional Council were in attendance and
listened attcntively to what was said. l
have preached once in this neig ghborhood
at private house on funeral occasion.
A goodly number were in attendance.1
Once also / have preached at the White
Oak Spring, eight miles from here, where
one Of our public schools is taught. [
shall probably preach there occasionally,
as soon as a more comfortable house is
fitted up for the purpose. The people
appeared to be highly pleased with the
idea of having preaching again, and said
it was the first they had heard since the
beginning Of the war.
''As to my future course, have no
certain plan marked out, nor can l we'll
have Suder the existing state of things in
the country. AS the people come in
Al IL nlI