The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-06
Letter from Rev. J. q. Cotton.
WHEELoCK, c. N, Feb. %, Is

WHEEL0CK, u ~, Feb %, 1870.
Having so recently reached this missionary
ground, | am not able to give the Church any
particular information. | trust, however, the
Church will permit me at the outset as am i'm
PEELED, to lift up my voice in earnest appeal for
| redoubled effort to spread the gospel over this
broad and fertile frontier. [ am moved to speak,
not for the Choctaw or Indian country alone, but
for the entire West. 1t is all missionary ground,
and soon destined to be teeming with living souls,
and all, alas, too destitute of the gospel. have
just passed more than two weeks upon and beside
two of her great rivers. have been in close con.
tact with those who do business on these great
streams, on the floating palace and on the smaller
craft have seen many that live along these rivers,
and | have seen many who were seeking homes in
this vast and rich domain Alas, alas, mo God, 1"
no Christ, is the thought of the multitude in this
vast region. Oh how | felt my weakness as
mingled with such men must confess my fault
too, as shrank from rebuking such impiety. And
now feel my weakness still more as stand almost
alone as white missionary in this Choctaw country
Here are three races com-mingled, differing in
social and political relations, and somewhat jealous
of each other; the blight of war is still upon the
land. looseness of morals, long spiritual degen-
eracy with many, and a hardness Of heart under
privileges with some, weak civil arm, ignorance
and superstition prevalent and very general in
improvement. luece IcdtuIeo vi
this particular country which no doubt appal
stouter hearts Whiskey, may mention, is still
1t has been the bane of the red man. Despite
the strlngency Of the law which forbds, upon heavy
fine, anywhere the sale of any quantity to an In
dian, they get it, and then follows catalogue Of
crimes. Along the Texas border particularly, am
told there are points that afford opportunity to the
Indians, to crafty this depraved appetite. And
from these sources there have arisen not less than
dozen MURDERS all of which escape the penalty
OF the law.
Now. what is the remedy for this evil? What
is the remedy for the money loving dolatry of this
whole West? The gospel in its fulness and power
is the only remedy The gospel is the surest means
OF preserving and promoting good morals, good
society, and good laws 1t is the surest means of
extending civilization; and yet it has higher aim
which blesses the rude as well as the cultivated
even life eternal. Let the Church then arise to
the great demands of the times, of the land, and
of the Captain of our salvation. The gospel has
received a check in these wds; but let the Church
now push forward, and all that has been lost, and
more than all, will be regained. Practical infdelity
threatens to sweep over the West; and to meet it,
the Church must put forth more effort. Let the
intelligent and wealthy churches of the East con-
secrate their sons and their MEANS and their work
is done.
have come to this region doubling much my
own fitness for the work but | try to look on high
Tor grace to supply my Deficiencies | cannot do
all that some Others might do but trust may
be enabled to dc something. And with this spirit,
may claim the privilege of saying to Others Come
on; young men, active, fearless and faithful, edu