The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-11-27
SPRING HILL ITEMS.


! The Rev. James B. Porter, a man O
eminent piety and extensive usefulness
and one OF the founders OF the Cumber-
| land Presbyterian Church, was identi-
ned with the religious interests OF this
community for the last thirty or forty
years of his life. He was the founder OF
the Cumberland Church in this place,
and an anniversary meeting appointed
and kept up by him during his life, is
still perpetuated by his followers; and so
well known is this day, that the other
denominations never make an appoint
ment in conflict with it. 1t is stranR g
that biography of this able divine b: s
never been written. By his labor ,
churches were established all over this
land; camp grounds were built up, and
the gospel was carried to new fields, and
1.-THE wilderness was made TO blossom as
the rose" He was perhaps the first
preacher of his dGnOmin alton who un~
turled the banner of Christ in this region
of country. He pre- cached in the town Of
FRANKLIN at very early day, by the
special solicitation of Harry Hill, who
became one OF the prince merchants OF
our country. On one occasion some
finely dressed ladies left the church
while he was preaching, and after the
services were over he said to Mr.. Hill,
II fear have said something to offend
some of my hearers" to which Hill res
piled, THAT which you saw leave church
was principally store goods" Mr.. POr~
ter was man OF commanding form and
figure, straight and erect, and over six
feet high. His complexion was fair and
f1orid, his hair dark and curly, and
combed back behind his ears according
to the old style, His features were reg
ular, and his eye blue or grey, penetra-
ting and full OF fire under the inSpira-
ton OF preaching, forming a splendid
picture tor painter. The POrters OF
that family and of that day were re-
markable for their fine and handsome
appearance, and haYe richly bequeathed
this legacy 10 their descendants, many
OfwhOm are yet to be found in old Maui
ry. Isaac Newton Porter, a brother of
the venerable Mrs. Cheairs, who fell by
the hands of an assassin, in the early days
of his manhood, was the handsomeSt
man in the county. The writer Was
once travelling in company with Rev.
Mr.. Porter in West Tennessee, and
stopped tor the night in Henry county,
near Paris, with Maj. James Is. Porter,
the father of our present Governor. As
soon as our host had made us cOmGOrta-
BILE in his hospitable manner, his atLen
ton seemed to be fixed on the features
OF the Rev. Mr.. Porter, and at length he
said, "HOu are the precise imeg &c of one
of my brothers whom left i'll Kentucky
and at the risk OF being considered i'm
pertinent, l must ask your NAME" This
led to pleasant acquaintance, which
Was improved and kept up until death
sey cred the tie. The relationship was
so distant that they knew nothing of
each other, and yet the family likeness
was so well III 1rked, that they felt they
of the same blood. nmencing
his natural life amid the perils and
DlOOdshed OF Indian warfare, and his spir-
itual life amid the bowling winds and
driving snow storm of a December night,
be was well qualified and trained for the
arduOus and responsible duties which
d5vOlved upon him as pioneer minis
ter OF the gospel. His labors were greats
Y blessed, and the day OF eternity can
alone reveal the vast amount of good
which was accomplished by him. His
name was as familiar all over Middle
Tennessee as a household word, and is
entitled to Il place in the scroll of fame
by the side of the Kings, the Donnells,
the Ewing's, the Harris, and other
worthless who were c0-wOrkers with him
in founding this truly evangelical
church, and his memory should be per-
p0tuated by the erection OF a suitable
monument over his sleeping dust.
The prOt-acted meeting at the Metbo-
dist Church, closed on Wednesday
night. The Rev. DR.. Wilkes, of CulleO-
ka preached several sermons here. which
were pronounced by several competent
judges, to be equal to any ever delivered
IN this place. The meeting resulted in
or twelve accCSSiOns TO the va
riOuS churches, and to a general awak-
euing and seriousness of the irreligiOus-
aud 10 a decided improvement in the,
zeal and labOrs of the laiety of the gem
eral church. Our resident ministers
h :ve greatly endeared themselves to all
tie people by their seIf-sacriticing devO~
ton to tn great interests OF this occA-
sion, working together i'll a common
caQse, as if they ignored all church lines
and church distinctions.
A little IN of Mrs. Jane Campbell,
who lives near POp5'S Camp-grOund,
shOs and killed little negro boy about
bis own age. 2 few days ago. They were
both mere children, not more than ten
Or twelve years Of age. The shooting
may have neen intentional, and proba-
bly, was; but whether intentional or &C
it shows the great imprudence
IT allowing children to have the use Of
firearms. The folly of this child has
cast shade of sadness upon the hearts
81 his widowed mother, which time win
never ODliterate.
Two OF our most industrious and en-
cOlOred citizens, Matt Shar-
tOrun 4 big cotton farm in
next year, hoping to find it
more profitable than blacksmithing, in |
which calling they have been engaged |
her for several years past.
Let 1t not be forgotten that on the lst |
lay OF DeCem Der, there will be offered |
At public sale in this place, the entire |
real estate of the late John w. Cheairs, |
consisting OF the splendid family resi- |
leDce, store houses and offices, together |
with between seven aud eight hundred |
acres Oi the finest and richest land in the |
county, All Of which will he divided into |
smaller tracts 10 suit purchasers, with |
.Om:Urtbie improvements on each.
l. may not he generally known that |
mere is at Thompson Station one of the |
BEST Touring mills in the State. Capt. |
Stone, the model conductor OF the &C |
'OmmOdatiOn, since his retirement from |
hat position, has associated himself |
with Mr.. Hausely in the management |
Of this establishment, and they are turn |
ng out the finest quality of flour and |
making the best and most satisfactory |
yield, and are receiving, as they should, |
l most encouraging patronage, This |
custom work O: grinding for the neigh
DOrhOOd, is a very small part of their |
business. They have made heavy pur
bases of wheat, and still buy all that |
5 offered at the market price OF the cOun-
ry, and are ready at all times to furnish |
he choicest brands Of flour at reasoua-
)ierates.