The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-10-27
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A JOURNEY OF FIVE HUNDRED MILES

l have just returned from a meeting of
the Presbytery of Arkansas, having travelled
on horseback, with the luxury of an occa-
sional jostle in a common Wagon, over
rough mountain road, distance of five
hundred miles. And as l promised one of
the good elders at New Hope, the place
where the Presbytery held its sessions, to
say something through our rolisioue papers,
in behalf of that interesting people, l will
try, if you will allow me, to present few
points that may interest some of your read
ers. | will not trouble you with labored
description of our journey, beautiful scene
ry, mountains and rocks, hills and dales,
gushing fountains and limpid waters that met
us on our way. In my view, these are least
in Importance. Others may describe them,
if they please, who have keener sense of
the picturesque and beautiful.
For the first few days after leaving home,
we suffered much from excessive heat. But
by previous arrangement, the 9th Sabbath
of August, was spent at Bula church, in
Independence county, organized by Rev. [.
J. Long some two years ago, and now regu-
larly supplied by him one Sabbath in each
month. This proved to be the point of gen.
eral rendezvous for the members of the Pres
bytery going from the White River country.
Here our party had increased to eight in
number. With that people we spent three
days, from Friday until Monday. Two SER
mons were preached each day, and in addi-
ton addresses were delivered to the Sabbath
school, and the communion of the Lords
Supper administered on Sabbath. The con-
gregations were large and attentive, espe
cially on Saturday and Sunday, and we
hope that good was accomplished, and that
fruit will yet be gathered from the good seed
sown on that occasion. The surrounding
country is generally very rough and poor,
and the people, though seemingly industri-
Gus, are in humble circumstances. Like
almost every community in this State, as far
as my acquaintance goes, the different de
nominations have their representatives, and
several different church organizations. This,
1 think, is to be regretted, since all their
strength combined would not support COM
fortably one minister. This being the case,
the prospect for building up self-sustain-
ing church at that point, at present and for
years to come, is not encouraging. And yet
much has been done, whereof we have reason
to bless God and take courage. With very
limited means, by industry and perseverance,
by contributions in material and labor, with
their own hands, and stimulated by the ex-
ample of their excellent supply, Rev. [. J.
Long, they have succeeded in erecting a
very comfortable house of worship. The
house is not yet entirely completed, though
so nearly so, as to be comfortably occupied.
This is progress, when we remember that
two years ago, they worshiped in a grove
without any house at all. May God bless
them and prosper the good work in their
midst
From this point we set out on Monday
morning lin the midst of gentle rain, which
increased until during the day it fell in tor
rents,) for New Hope, the place of our des-
tination. After nearly four days travel, the
most of which led US through rough noun
famous and barren country, We arrived in
the neighborhood of New Hope church,
which is situated in a beautiful section of
country, known as the Crooked Greek valley.