The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-04
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A Mountain Mission Field.

This field is in one of the most noun
famous counties of West Virginia. A
recent visit to it interested me much, and
as it is sample of much of our mission
ary territory, it may claim some atten-
tion from those who are seeking the en-
largement of our Zion.
1t was upon a mild though blustery
morning, that l entered the mountain
defile, leading to the part of the country
l purposed visiting. But coming to
where the road followed up rapid stream,
and ran through the thick trees which
shaded its banks, felt the air so chilly
as soon to make an overcoat comfortable.
The little valley had entered was
hemmed in by lofty irregular mountain
ranges and peaks, though it was gener
ally wide enough to afford patches of
arabic land, and some larger fields for
grazing. The population however was
very sparse. An occasional log cabin,
and rustic saw-mill gave some appear
ance of life, in the midst of abounding
solitude.
The mountain sides were now clothed
in their most beautiful autumnal dress.
The frost, which as yet had scarcely left
its mark upon the woods in the lowlands,
had here painted almost every leaf
with lavish and variegated coloring.-
There were the yellow walnut, the pur-
pie oak, the crimson gum, and the mot
tied sugar-maple; with which were inter-
spersed the evergreen pine and laurel,
The frost too had so much more affected
the high than the low points, that you
could notice the colors deepening their
hue from the base to the top of each
peak. And the extent of these painted
pictures made the scene more impressive.
The whole mountain journey was through h
natural gallery of paintings, of which
art could never form even miniature.
After few hours travel, the road led
to the foot of a mountain, through which
nature had run no friendly gap for the
travellers convenience. 1t must be
scaled. That lonely tortuous road, wind
ing around the spurs and along the steep
face of the mountain, and yet ever tend
ing upward, was however not without its
interest. 1t revealed, in ever changing
forms, the valley below and the ranges
beyond, giving continually new and rich
views of that wilderness of colors. The
top of the mountain reached, the pano-
rama that broke upon the sight well re-
paid the labors of the ascent. Beyond
the variegated woods below, appeared
mountain piled upon mountain, until
they were topped, in the distance, by the
grand Allegheny chain. Such scenery
filled the way and beguiled the time oc.
cupied in the journey, to the home of the
brother occupying that missionary field.
On Sabbath morning we were mounted
early, for we had a hard days journey
before us. We soon left the wagon road
and mountain path, which for rugged,
ness and steepness was real Alpine. At
one time it clung to the mountain side
upon terrace supported by logs, and
then it led up the bed of noisy rivulet,
where by rocks and roots the horses legs
seemed greatly endangered. We reached
occasional "openings," " where log cabin
with clap-board roof was surrounded by
few acres of cleared land, generally
living on the two sides of ravine.
After two hours of steady riding, with
occasional walks down the steepest de.
clivities, we reached the church where
the missionary had his regular appoint
ment. The house is a good-sized build
ing, carefully constructed of hewn logs
and with porch for vestibule. AL