The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-28
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
LITTLE Rock, May 18th, 1873.

easy stages, can conscientiously recommend
the advantages derived from not travelling
too much in hurry.
The first stopping place was at Union
Theological Seminary to attend the meeting
of the Trustees and the closing exercises of
that institution. AS the Secretary has sent
communication embodying all the impor-
tant facts for publication, there is no need
of dwelling on this subject. Let the Church
only continue to give our beloved Seminary
the men and the means, and if well-tralned
ministers are not sent out, it will not be for
want of faithful teaching by brethren who
thoroughly understand their business.
The Sabbath was pleasantly spent at
Jonesboro', Tenn. Like many other places
in this section, the Presbyterian Church
there was sadly rent asunder by the divisions
ecclesiastical attending or following the war
Upon the recent settlement of the Rev. VIM.
Morrison as pastor of the part adhering to
our Southern Church, an amicable arrange
ment was made in regard to the house OF
worship and other matters of mutual interest,
which it is believed will do great good and
no harm. The prospects of our cause in
this whole region of the Holston Valley are
very encouraging, if the exceeding great diff
fculties besetting it are considered. 1t is
really wonderful to see how, like the house
of David, we have been "waxing stronger
and stronger" while the other side, like the
house of Saul, has been constantly "waxing
weaker and weaker" A large portion of
the people still adhering to them really pre-
fer a connexion with the Southern Church.
If the Northern Board of Missions has an
abundance of money to waste in supporting
men who are doing little or no good, and
lingering with little handfuls of people that
are decaying and ready to vanish away, they
can do SO. But expending six or eight hun
dred dollars year after year upon such places
as Athens, and others, may readily account
for some of the immense debt under which
that Church has been groaning of late. 1t
is all spent to little or no purpose in East
Tennessee 1t will not be long before the
Northern Church will utterly perish over a
region where six years ago they were
spreading themselves like green bay
tree" Their history will not be like ga
thing of beauty which is ga joy forever" !"
From Jonesboro' to Memphis, brethren,
with their faces set for Little Rock, were
gathered in at various points. On Wednes-
day morning, the 18th, about seventy-fve
delegates were seated in the cars at the de-
pot; these cars were seated On steamboat,
and in few minutes we were across "the
father of waters ITO most of US for the
first time. Forty miles of our journey was
over the Arkansas bottom. Much, but not
all of it, may be called swamp land, having
all over it many trees of gigantic size, also
an underground of smaller kinds, together
with patches of canebrake and such like.
This whole tract impresses one as being the
paradise of mosquitoes, alligators, bears, and
"the chills." But the soil is rich beyond
conception, and in the distant future this
immense tract will be drained and become
the abode of dense population. Think
what the Dutch have done to make Holland
habitable and rich and renowned. When
people get "too thick to thrive" they will
have more land, if human ingenuity and la
Dor, and the expenditure of money can Sc
cure it.
I must refer you to the Memphis Presby-
terian for an account of the most generous
hospitality Of the President of the railroad
in giving dinner to the whole delegation. Is
this to be drawn into precedent for future
times and other railroads?
We reached the banks of the Red river in
heavy rain-storm, and after some delay
and trouble caused by the storm and the
crowd, the good folks on board were trans
ported, and dispersed to their various desti-
nations, where cordial welcome awaited
them. To day the General Assembly was
opened, as will be found from the report
brother Shotwell has forwarded. The dele
CATION is full average for the first day,
others are coming in. Of the business,
more hereafter.
"RA1LRoAD HospITALITY-The Memphis
train, May 14th, was full of delegates to
the Assembly. Just before the train arrived
at the dinner house at Brinkley, tickets were
distributed through the cars, inviting all the
gentlemen and ladies on the train going to
the Assembly dinner free of charge. As
there were rs of these on the train, the kind
ness of Col. Greenlaw, who had ordered the
tickets distributed, was very highly appre
ciated. The dinner was excellent, and Mr.
Setson, the conductor, delayed the train and
gave us ample time to discuss its merits
All were ready to pass unanimously reSolu
ton of thanks to Col. Greenlaw, and to vote
that the Memphis and Little Rock railroad
be made one link of the Southern Pacific
road"
PRAYER What battles has it not fought
what victories has it not won what burdens
has it not carried what wounds has it no
~ .;of, boo - ~ol oo,uoood