The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-12

Obstructed by new field of many hundred
acres. With some difficulty we made our
way round this field hoping to find our path
on the opposite side. When at the farther
side we found path which we presumed to
be ours, but after pursuing it for some dis
tance it grew dim and disappeared. Know
ing that we had failed in finding the right
one, we departed in different directious with
the understanding thatif either of us found
it we should hail the other. This was like
ly to prove a dangerous experiment, as the
country around US abounded in lakes and
marshes. Neither of us could find the path,
and both believe became somewhat bewil-
dered. For my own part soon left caring
for the path and directed all my energies in
search of Brother B. When we found each
other we rejoiced as though our separation
had been of long ssaiSuAsee.s Our only
resourse now was to return to the Post,
spend the night there, and procure guide
the next morning. Having t-rned to the
Post, we took up our lodging IT the public
house, Here we found amoqe the boarders
a nephew of DR.. Archibald Alexander.
He was social and communicative. He took
pleasure in speaking of his "Uncle Archy,"
and of DR.. Baxter, as having been his math-
ematical instructor. His name have now
forgotten. Next morning, having procured
guide and mounted our horses, we were
told to halt moment. Presently waiter
brought each of us lunch for the middle
of the day. This seemed very kind and un-
usual at public house; but Brother B. re-
marked after we started that he had heard
our young friend of the Alexander family
suggest it to the innkeeper.
In few hours we were reinstated in the
true path leading to Vicksburg. Among all
the dreary routes l have ever travelled this
was one of the most dismal. For number
of successive days our pathway led us
through region in which high-water mark
was often above our heads when on horse.
back. We crossed many bayous then near
ly dry, but still dangerous. Among these
were the Tensas, Mason and Alligator,
last of these having received its name, be-
lieve, from the numbers of these frightful
monsters with which it abounded. We were
told by an old settler that in a bend of one
of these streams he could sometimes, in a
single morning, count fifty or sixty of those
monstrous creatures at single view.
Such was the nature of the way we had
to travel, that we spent seven MI ights between
Spring Hill and Vicksburg. At length we
reached the place of our destination, having
crossed the broad and deep Mississippi.
Synod met, and among its members 1 found
several of my old Princeton friends whom l
had not seen since We parted at that cherish
ed seat of sacred science. Among these
was the Rev. Zebulon Butler whom always
regarded as the beloved disciple. Our sepa-
ration nine years before, shall never for
get. His class had graduated, and when
about to leave, invited those of us who were
to remain to meet them for parting inter-
view in the Mason Library. When seated,
few remarks were made, and the hymn,
&c Our souls by love together knit" pro.
posed to be sung. Most voices joined in the
first verse. The second was begun, but in
few moments voice after voice faltered,
and presently all were silent. Weeping and
sobbing only were heard. We rose, pressed
each other by the hand, left the room, and
in few minutes the stages which were in
readiness were bearing them to various points
of the land. Few of US ever met again.
Zebulon Butler was the principal pioneer of
the region in which Vicksburg is situated.
He mentioned before Synod that when he
first came to that place the only house he
could procure to preach in was room above
a grog-shOp.
The transactions of Synod, with one ex-
ception which was soon disposed of, were
harmonious and delightful. Though not a
numerous body it embraced men of clear
heads and warm hearts, whose soul desire
was to devise means to carry forward the
great work of establishing the Kingdom of
the Redeemer in these ends of the earth.
Among these l may mention Winchester who
died at an early age, and Benjamin Chase
who yet lives, an octOgenarian, after life
devoted to benevolent exertions for the ex-
tension of his Masters Kingdom.
Synod having closed, brother B. and my
self set out on our return. On the second
day, to our great regret, we were obliged to
separate, as my journey homeward lay far
to the north of brother BIS residence. l
ascended the Mississippi on the west side as
far as Columbia. Here / was to leave the
Mississippi and strike across to the Arkansas
river. At this place l met an old friend
who seemed much concerned at the idea of
my travelling alone, as the route lay through
a wilderness country. He told me to have
patience while and he would try and find
me company. For this purpose he left me,
and soon returned with the joyful statement
that a young man in town would be ready
in short time who was intending to travel
the same road. Mr.. G. soon being ready we
Set ont in tho afternoon eynectin0 IN con-