The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
Letter from Rev. q. B. Pratt.
BARRANoUILLA, Sept. 20, 1872

| wrote you hurried reply to your last, by the
mail for Aspnwall, four days ago, when was quite
at sea as to what we should do. Quite unexpect-
eddy to me, DIR. Pardey said that "trip to Santan
der would do Mrs. Pratt quite as much good as a
trip home. This then, settled the question that
she was not to go, which we were both glad enough
OF. And now, II we can get one Of our American
friends to keep house for Mr.. Erwin and the three
elder children, Mrs. Pratt and myself, with the two
yG2nger s, God willing, SCI out as cary in o.
t5ber as possible. The "Zlleika'' is 10 Santa
Martha, with our last orders from New York,
among them a box of Testaments, catechlsms,
tracts, ETC., and | hope it will not delay there so
long as to give US trouble. for we can 90 without
them. 1t Is the rainy season now in the interior
scarcely so here,) and do not like travel with my
wife and two children, although the rudest part
of the season does not set in till towards the last
of October. | would wait till December, except
that Mrs. Pratt's health is in SO wretched and ner
vous condition that almost any more promises
to be change for the better even at this season
The trip to SaDtander will be more costly than to
the United States; but almost anything is better
than going home Should her health not materi-
ally improve, trip home will then be unayoida
ole. 1t is very painful for US both to leave our
three elder children at their tender age for two or
three months; but We see no help for it whatever
and they will be better cared for than most parents
uoder the circumstances would expect, with Mrs
Steel to look after their food and raiment and MIR
Erwin to watch over their religious and intellectual
culture. Mr.. Erwin spraned his lame foot, nearly
week ago, and is yet hardly able to leave his ped.
This, OF course breaks up his school, aud may oc-
caslon his return home, though he does not speak
OF 1t. AS soon as he can get about little we will
nj up room Tor his school, and our children with
such as choose to come so far, will share its benefits
Wishing to reap as much benefit as possible from
our journey, and in furtherance of the views you
expressed to me In reference to Santander, | have
arranged with Dr. Galardo, who is now here, to
accompany me, and see what we can do visiting
the towns and villages OF the interior, preaching
the Word, and getting the Scriptures into crcua
ton. He proposes to send for his family nexI
week, as they are exceedingly anxious to get back
again.. cannot help promising myself great
acquisition every way in Gallardo's accompanying
as, or me, II Mrs. Pratt should not be able to 60
think he has uncommon natural quail fl cations for
usefulness, and | think may say without hesita
ton, that the Word OF God is his delight. HI.
two years and halt absence from Barranquia.
just at the time when we most needed regular in.
Ntruction, and just when | stood most 10 need OF
hun, is yet mystery which l cannot solve. either
as regards satisfactory explanation of his own
conduct, or as regards that divine Providence that
works through all the tangled web of human plans
as his departure. have long cherished the hope
that We might find inducements to employ him
permanently as colporteur; this trip will proba
bly, settle that question. | bear all expenses, OF
course, and offer him sixteen dollars (gold) per
month for the present need of bis family.
As rogards.she accessibility of Santander, | may
say that Mr.. Joy has small steamer which runs to
g Port Panedes," on tributary of the Magdelena,
three times month. Port panedes is sixty miles
from Bacanamanga and Pledecuesta, the most i'm
portant cities of Santander. The road is new
one, not the best OF course, and most of the way
there hot country" there is some talk OF
British enterprise opening railroad there as an
outlet for what is said to be the most industrious
and agricultural part of Colombia. a railroad
from BOgota northward to strike the river at Car
rare without entering the State of Santander) is
proposed by the Government, and an agent has
been sent to Europe on this business If the lat
ter enterprise be carried through, some hope is en-
ertained of combining the two, continuing the
road, so as to make Port Panedes the terminus.
But whether that be SO or not, Bucanamanga is
nearly as accessible perhaps balancing advantages
Ind disadvantages may say as much SO as Bogota
md IN about one half the time The elevation |
bove the sea OF the cities aforesaid (which is only
en- miles apart) is about 900 metres, say 500 |
eet and the ordinary temperature 1920 cent? |
,rade, or about $3.50 Far
As regards the proposed selection Of new field,
ny present idea is this: That il good schools are
IS sadly needed there as | suppose, | will make
he recommendation OF any locality, land indeed
he establishment OF mission in that quarter
ontingent on the readiness find manifested for
first rate school, though directed by
Protestant minister.
l have Cuban friend in Santa Martha barely
making his bread who was director of the public
chools OF Santiago de Cuba. He seems to have
growing interest in the Bible and the question of
eligion. He is, judge, well competent for the
York, and If there is chance of getting up the
chool proposed, with pretty fair pat onage. have
tile doubt could associate him with myself in
he business. l don't like the school room in the