The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-12
FoR THE CENTRAL PREsBYrERIAy.
"REMINISCENCES OF A PIONEER.

Attendance upon Church courts is one of
the precious privileges of the ministry. In
thinly settled regions where ministerial in
tercourse is rare, these seasons are priced
more than in different circumstances. To
the Christian communities also where such
meetings are held, they are generally sea-
sons of great enjoyment and spiritual edif-
cation. Brethren separate from each other
with strengthened affections and increased
dispositions to labor for their divine Master.
During the first seven years of my minis
try, saw not the face of Presbytery, Syn
od, or General Assembly; there being then
no Presbytery west of the Mississippi and
south of Missouri. The Presbytery of Ar
kansas was formed in 1885, composed of
Rev. Messrs. Alfred Wright and Loring S.
Williams, of the ChOctaw Mission, and my
self. Shortly after, brethren Kingsbury,
Byington and Wood, were added to US
They were also of the Cboctaw Mission. In
1887, Rev. Alexander R. Banks, from South
Carolina, who was the first after myself who
settled permanently among the white pOpu
lation united with US. He organized a
church at.Spring Hill, near Red River. In
the autumn of 1887, he and myself concluded
to attend the Synod of Mississippi, with
which our Presbytery was then connected,
and which met that year at Yicksburg. 1
took Spring Hill in my way, although it
added greatly to the length of my journey,
in order to aid him in communion season
and to enjoy his company during the long
route.
Our journey from that point lay across
the southern part of Arkansas and the north
ern portion of Louisiana. The country
through which we travelled was thinly set
tied, and we fonnd it sometimes difficult to
secure lodging place at night. Iremem,
Der nothing of interest during the first few
days except that at one of the rude cabins
where we lodged, we found very aged man
who in his childhood remembered attending
the preaching of that wonderful man of God,
the Rev. Samuel Davies, in Virginia. He
could tell US no particulars except that he
was regarded as a most holy man and a
great preacher. 1 could not but reflect upon
the pervading influence of eminent godliness,
especially when combined with superior tai
ents. Here, in what seemed the very ends
of the earth, after the lapse of near CEN
tury, and at the distance of many league,
the very name of Samuel Davies awakened
reflections, both suggestive and profitable.
The only place of note on our entire route
was the "Old Post of the Ouchitta, now
best known as the town of Monroe. 1t was,
believe, the southern link of that celebra-
ted chain of Notifications which the French
drew from the northern lakes to the Mexican
Gulf, at an early day. 1t presented at this
time an aspect of sombre antiquity. One
long street of great width extended perhaps
more than mile from north to south, on
the eastern bank of the Ouchitta. Beauti.
ful shade trees lined the side walks, while
old dingy edifces pointed their gable ends
towards the street
We reached the Post after the middle of
the day, and were told that our route to
Vicksburg consisted of single trail which
had been travelled but little, if any, that