The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-18
A CALL FROM ARKANSAS.

IL. w elOH, was plIhu"iAiJ N0SAoNN" w -
before the students of the Theological Sem
mary in this place; but the facts which 1t
presents respecting the condition of Arkan-
sas as a field of labor are SO important that
we cannot withhold it from wider circle OF
readers.-Pres6yteriam and Inder.
LITTLE Rock, ARK, April %, 1870.
You will confer personal favor upon me
by directing the minds of the students IN
the Theological Seminary at Columbia to
the wants of Arkansas and by urging them
to consider the Macedonian cry sent up to
them by our destitute fields, which say in
clear and feeling manner, Come over and
help US.
That you may be able to give them some
definite information concerning our wants,
1 will mention few of the many places that
might be named, where we are now in press
ing need of ministers.
1. There is a most important and promis-
ing field for missionary labor on Black River.
Clover Bend would be the centre of opera
tons, and from this point the three other
places, Powhatan, Lebanon, and the White
church, embraced in the field, could be reached
in six, eight, and twelve miles respectively.
This country is rapidly filling up with an
enterprising population; with the blessing
of God, an efficient minister would be able,
in short time, to build up four self-sustain-
ing churches The cry that this people
send to the young brethren for help is most
earnest and heartfelt. l know of no field
promising larger field Of usefulness to a
devoted minister than this. And | sure that
he would be sustained from the very begin
ming of his work among them. They promise
salary of eight hundred dollars, and l
think that amount would be regularly in
creased every year. Any one desiring fur
Their information concerning this field may
write to Rev. D. G. Boggs, Jacksonport, or
E. Mount, Powhatan, either of whom will
be glad to give such information as may be
desired
2. A second and most inviting field for
missionary work is on st. Francis River,
with Wittsburg as its centre. Here we have
church with thirty members and two rul'
ing elders. Other points, eight and ten
miles distant, can be occupied as mission
stations, where large congregations could be
gathered, and with the blessing of God,
churches soon organised that would become
in a little while self sustaining. The nearest
minister of our Church to this point is forty
miles; the laborer here would have large
room for usefulness. This field, like the
one before mentioned, would be self sustain
ing from the very beginning if we could get
an acceptable minister to take charge of it.
1t is accessible by boat from Memphis, and
is considered very healthy part of the
country. Any one who may wish further
information concerning it may write to Rev.
| 7. W. White, Helena, or Col. Graham,
Wittsburg, either of whom will take great
pleasure in giving such information as may
be desired.
8. A third and very promising field is
Van Buren,, on the Arkansas River. This
is thriving town of twelve hundred inhab-
tants, where we have small church with a
good building. This church was self-sus-
tanning before the war, and | am sure that
it would be so now if we could get an &C
ceptable preacher to take charge of it
The country is rapidly settling with an in
dustrious and intelligent population, and the
field will be increasing in size and impor-
lance every year. 1t might be necessary,
and think it would be advisable, for time,
for the minister at Van Buren, to preach to
Bethel church, twelve miles distant, once a
month. These two churches would give a
minister an adequate support. If we can
get an efficient young man to take charge
of this work, there will be no difficulty what
ever in providing living for him. One of
the nearest ministers to this field pledged to
the Presbytery support to a man who
would be acceptable to the people. This
pledge, l am sure, would be redeemed
Any one who may wish for more information
can write to Rev. W. A. Sample, Fort
Smith, or Dr. J. A. Dibrell, Van Buren,.
4. A fourth, and in some respects the
most inviting field in our Presbytery now
vacant, is Fayetteville and Cincinnati in
Washington County. This county is distin-
guished for healthfulneSs as well as the in
telligence of its inhabitants. 1t is farm
ing and fruit growing country, and is des-
tined to be one of the most pOpulous parts
of our State. 1t is at present most desi-
rabla country to live in-the means Of living
are cheaper and more abundant than in
many other places. A young man settling
at Fayetteville and preaching at different
points in the county would be from the very
beginning sustained by the people. A
pledge was made to the PreSbytery by a
brother who knows this field, that an accept
able preacher should have a support if he
could be found to take charge of this field.
This field is whitening for the harvest, and
we greatly need laborer enter it.
could easily mention number of other