The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-01-27
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
EAST TENNESSEE.

Through the columns of the Central
Presbyterian l wish to make this CON-
munieation to Presbyterians by way Of
calling their attention to East Tennessee.
As there are many in these unsettled
times proposing to change their homes,
and as it is important that our churches
here should receive all the strength that
can be impaired to them, and that We
should establish ourselves in the many
places where our denomination and our
influence are desired, | hope the state
ment l make will be favorably received
by some under whose eye it may fall.
East Tennessee embraces that portion
of the State east of the Cumberland
mountains. No region of equal extent
will be found to excel it in salubrity OF
climate, richness of soil and minerals, or
facilities for manufacturing. Its beauu-
full valleys lie along the Tennessee river
and its tributaries. A glance at the map
will show their number and their extent.
Again, the facility with which produce
can be placed in market, adds much to
the disturbances of this country. The
Tennessee is now navigable almost the
whole year from Knoxville to Chattanoo-
ga, and when the contemplated improve
ment in the river is completed, there will
be constant water communication with
New Orleans. The whole country will
soon be traversed with railroads. There
is now railroad running the entire
length of the valley of the HolstOn, from
Bristol to Dalton, with branch to Chat
tanoOga. At Dalton it will connect with
the Rome and Selma Railroad. There
are now two railroads building from
Kentucky, one crossing at Cumberland
Gap, via Knoxville, and thence to
Charleston, S. G. Another crosses the
Virginia and East Tennessee Railroad at
Morristown, and leads thence over to
Asheville, n. Carolina, and on to Green
vile, South Carolina. There is also a
railroad in building from Cleveland to
Ducktown, which will be continued to
Charleston, S. G. These roads and the
river will give the advantages of the
Northern, Eastern and Southern mar.
kets. The principal minerals to be &C.
veloped in this part of East Tennessee,
are coal, marble, iron, lead, copper and
silver.
Over the whole extent of this region,
the way is now open for the entrance of our
Church, and the people are to a most
gratifying extent anxious to have preach
ers of our denomination sent among
them. When we remember that this
country was largely settled by Scotch
Irish Presbyterians, is it not matter of
great Importance that we should be awake
to the interests that are peculiarly ours 2
Ought we not to see to it that the people
are supplied, before their affections are
aienated from their mother Church?
What we need now is an earnest work
ing man for an Evangelist. If we only
had the means We can get the man. We
know of man well qualified for the
work, but have not the means. to support
him. Who will help US to the amount
needed? Would it not be economy to
spend money in this field? If we can
now secure and fix permanently with US
the people who are rightfully Presbyte-
rian, the $1,000 thus spent would be more
than repaid. But the highest considera-
tiOn is that probably in no part of our
land can we, as Church, by the same
means accomplish so much for the cause
Of Christ. Are there not one, two, or
four men in our Church, who can and
who will place $1,000 in the hands of
Rev. James Park, of Knoxville, Tenn,
to be used sacredly for this work?