The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
From the North Carolina Presbyterian.
Heroic Words

Almost anything is better than going home. -
These words occur in letter of cur brother, H.
b. Pratt, formerly pastor of the church at Hills
boro, and now our Missionary in the United States
of Colombia, South America. His wife s feeble
health necessltates change, and he had received
permission from the committee to bring or send her
TO this country Tor It's restoration. But after many
arrangements had been made with a view to the
"Trip hlther, their physician expressed the convc.
zion that journey to Santander would accomplish
as much for Mrs. Pratt as the projected visit home.
rhereupOn occur these words: the trip to San
lander will be more costly than to the United
States; but almost anything is better than going
home. What feeling could have dictated sucn
words?
Is 1t aversion or Indifference to his own country
Those Of us who know him, love him especially for
his large aectlOnateness, his cordial, genial heart
We know 1t was no lack Of local attachments that
left him to be swept abroad, like drftwood. Out
OF full heart, and with the rupture of many dear
and happy ties, and as one on whom necessity is
laid to preach the gospel in the regions beyond.
did our brother go forth.
Neither did any doubt or fear concerning his
reception here have any part in his decision. Il
would be white day. to many of US, when We
could take him by the hand, and beset him with
tokens OF welcome and honor And many pas
tor, striving to knde the missionary spirit to a
warmer glow In his own charge, would delight to
set such man in his pulpit, and to gather the
people about him in more Informal ways, In hone
of that result:
Many years since, minister gave notice that he
was about to be absent from home Whereupon. n
rough, warm hearted Methodist brother, who
greatly enjoyed the prayer meeting and lectures
they attended together, demonstrated with him for
going. 1t was explained to him that the minister
was called upon to assist in signal revival in an
adjourning county. well then, said he, "brotb.
be sure and bring a chunk a. G. fire brandt when
you come back. Brother Pratt is just the man
to bring chunk.
Neither is io-and this perhaps is the most re.
markable of all-because of abundant encourage
ments or critical time Of prosperity, or even a
visible turn Of the tide for the better. On the
none of our missionaries has met with
such uniform, almost uninterrupted, discourage
ments None has had to walk so exclusively by
faith instead of sight. The deafness of the peo
ole, the indifference Of much of the nominally
Protestant population, the success of the priest in
obstructDg the Bible, sickness, accident, disap-
have com6lnef to COW the spirit
of the man. But they have not cowed it.
What is his secfet?
Simply this; that man lives for his Saviour and
his work, and not for comfort-not even for sue
cess 1t is sweeter, nobler, wiser. to struggle on
through WEAKNESS discouragements, obscurity, and
the foolish worlds sneers, with single heart and
the great Captain cheer, than to be pilowed on
welcomes, or the memory OF work half done-be it
ever so bravely done.
Gods blessings often run, like the springs Of
water, in subterraneous veins Who knows where
he Fountain OF Life will well up, to clothe desert
n verdure, and lift the palm trees to the sky? He
Knows he is digging the channel; and in his cour-
'ge and faith, that is enough. Knowing that,
: almost anything is better than going home" Are
hey not heroic words2 @. f.