The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-21
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
"reminiscences of a Pioneer.

|
The journeyings and incidents of new
country life, which to some prove weari-
some, to others are sources of animation
and delight
A few months after | had found my
new home, | was requested to perform a
marriage ceremony at distance of near
five hundred miles. The intended BRIDE
groom was the nephew of Gen. NJ,
the hero of Lundy's Lane, and the first
Governor of Arkansas territory. Capt
NJ gave as reason for requesting
me to travel so far, the fact that was
the nearest Presbyterian minister, and
that in addition to his own desire, his Sis
ters, who resided in the State Of New
York, would scarcely ecesiaer him pro-
perly married unless by minister OF
their own denomination.
The distance and wilderness character
of the country which lay between, only
lent enchantment to the prospect of the
undertaking. Capt. NJ, though not
a professor of religion, was a noble-heart-
ed gentleman, and always showed respect
to such as were. OF his own accord he
made arrangements by which | was re
lieved from any temptation to infringe
upon the sanctity of the Sabbath by
travelling. | was landed at his residence
on the Mississippi in the latter part of
the week, where remained until after
the Sabbath. AS there were no inhabi-
tants for many miles around to afford
congregation, he had all the servants
collected, and to them delivered a lee
ture.
On Monday morning we began to as
cend the White river. The Mississippi,
of which it is a tributary, had at that
time overhowed it's banks to an unknown
extent. For upwards of an hundred
miles we had but one short glimpse of
land. We only knew when we We're in
the channel by the trees standing in the
water on each side. AS no steamboats,
then ran on that stream, we travelled in
an open skiff, with four strong men at
the oars. The first night we happily
came to a keel-boat, anchored to tree.
Upon its roof we spread our blankets
and erected our mosquito bars, where We
rested with watery world around us.
We at length reached the elevated dis
trict, and repaired to the residence of
the brides father, who was one of the
most noted men then in the Southwest.
Extensive preparations had been made.
The scattered inhabitants far and near
had been invited, and large company
were in attendance. When the marriage
was over and the supper ended, [ soon
perceived what | have often since noticed
on like occasions, the space | oc-
cupied, though not very extensive, was
greatly coveted by part of the guests.
Consequently it was kindly suggested
that probably | needed rest, and would
wish to retire. / was accordingly con-
Quoted to my sleeping apartment, which
was an open space in the end of long
outer gallery. At the other end of this
gallery stood table covered with bottles
and glasses, which seemed to attract not
little attention. | had scarcely retired
before the music began to sound, and
dancing to commence with an earnestness
proportionate, as | supposed, to the rare
ness of such occasions. About the mid
die of the night l awoke, and could per-
ceive no abatement. The table of which
have spoken was still visited, and around
it | could hear warm discussions on poll
tics, and the comparative talents of dis
tinguised men. At length the question
was proposed, "Who were the three
greatest men that ever lived p 1 felt
anxious to hear their disposal of this ques-
ton, and was listening with much inter-
est, when DR.. E., elevating his voice
with great earnestness uttered the words,
Il say, George Washington, Andrew
Jackson, and -@," here followed
that name at which we are told that eve
ry knee should bow, and every tongue
confess that he is Lord to the glory of
God the Father. l had heard blasphe-
my which chilled nay blood, but never
had l listened to words which created
such horror in my mind as these. | rose
to sitting posture and called aloud to
the group in which the conversation was
going on. At length Mr.. c. came
to my bedside, whom l requested to re-
turn and say to DR.. E. that his Ian
guage was painful to me in the extreme,
and to beg him to discontinued. He did
so, and heard no more of it. Virgil
represents Eneas as saying, Ipsa silen-
TIA terrent? "The very silence alarmed
me-" could say the same thing that
night. 1 suddenly awoke, and instead
of music and merriment, the most pro
found stiffness reigned. hastily arose,
dressed, and repaired to the hall where a
short time before I had heard so much
1zloo. hut not an indiVidual waS To h1