Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-13
Nashville FirsI.Three Years Ago.

In the Bartlett Enterprise We find some
interesting "Reminiscences OF Tennessee"
written by Rev. Thoma, B. Balch, Of
Prince William, Va. In 1918 Mr.. Balch
came on visit from Abingdon 10 Nashville.
In the following extract will be found some
facts and revelations Of which be made
hottest
The terminus of my journey was coon
reached by q sight Of Nashville. 1t is a
city toward which we have ever borne a
good will. May II flourish like the palm
tree, and grow Ike cedar in Lebanon.
The Cumberland in some parts OF its
course is 3 winding and, We may add, a
beautiful river. Before the town 1t was
narrow, but at tina. TINE not spanned By a
bridge. One has been Bince reared far su-
perior to that which crosses the Doom 80
celebrated by Burns. The place was very
handsome. The population about four
thousand; but since largely increased. 1t
has grown to the dimensions ola city. My
attention was struck by the seats on the ell
evations Of the town. The Temple Of Jus
tice Wss in the centre Of large square. We
stepped over to the Court HOuse-Judge
Haywood presiding.
In looking round the city we found the
Presbyterian Church. 1t was located on q
hill-large, but not fitted up with conven-
fences. 1t has since been succeeded by 8
structure well adapted TO the congregation.
DR.. Edgar, my old comrade in Theological
study, became its pastor. During my stay
DR.. Blackburn made visit to Nashville.
Before the war Of 1912 be had been Mis-
sionary among the Cherokees. He was q
natural orator, and better suited to gen
eral than a special object. There have been
few Divines more popular in the western
world; but probably he was more effective
as an Evangelist than as pastor. His gsrb
was plain, his manner persuasive, his terv-
our far more than common, and his flights
striking-though not very original. Hehad
seen so much Of western and Indian life as
rendered his conversation quite agreeable.
The Rev. John Joyce was in Nashville,
but disabled from preaching. He lay ex-
tremely i'll at the house OF Judge McNairy.
We de8paired of his life; but 80 far recOv-
cred as to try the climate OF Augusta, IN
Georgia.
Riding out ore evening, rather beyond
the environs Of the town, the writer saw
carriage making its way into the city. On
meeting it the driver was ordered BY lady
to stop. 1t was Mrs. Jackson, consort Of
the General, who, without any previous &C
uuaintance, gave me polite invitation to
visit the Hermitage. The General was
away negotiating a treaty with the Semi
noles. We doubt not that it Tss one per
fectly honorable. For an Indian treaty, at
times, has meant nothing more than the
erasure of the last letter from the word.
A polite invitation was sent to my lodg-
ings by DR.. Pliestley to visit him at his
home some seven or eight miles from town.
This was not, Of course, from the illustri-
Gus chemist, for he died in 1904, at North
Cumberiaud,in Pennsylvania. But the gen.
tleman to whom allusion is made, from the
current Of his conversation, appeared to be
familiar with localities of Virginia, especi
ally about Timberidge, and he gave me an
interesting description Of the Rev. James
Waddel, the blind preacher Of Orange
county. DR.. Priestley became President Of
Cumberland University at Nashville, but
had retired to his farm. Silence was then
reigning in the Halls Of Tara, and the mel
odies Of learning were suspended. Nor was
the institution revived till about 1924, when
the Rev. Philip Lindsey was called to the
Presidency. OF his career it is needless to
speak, for it has been followed out by the
pen Of Biography, and his recorded works
are before the public. The night spent at
the farm Of DR.. Priestley was one Of the
most agreeable Of my life. At the family
altar his consort rendered chapter Of the
Greek Testament into an English transls-
ton.