The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-03-17
From the Missionary for March
Extract of Letter of Rev. ]. g. Hall.
BARRANourLLA, December %, 1874

BARRANoUILLA, December 90, 1874.
We expect to leave this place on the lth of
January Positive arrangements could not be
made TO get off sooner We would be entirely
willing to remain here if it were LETT to US. have
been much more favorably impressed BY the place,
and the prospects of the Mission here than L ex-
pected. We fad the climate at this season OF the
year 1.-THE breezy really delightful. Sometimes
right warm when we walk out in the sun, but al
ways cool and pleasant in the shade. l had an
idea before coming here, that the place was very
unhealthy, but this seems to be mistake. There
are a number of foreigners here, engaged In all
kinds of business, who look as we'll as you would
see men anywhere. [ have met one hale, hearty
old gentleman, physician, who has been here
forty years, another who has been here twenty
years, etc.
Both Mrs. Hall aud myself are in excellent
health mine was never better. L hope the Lord
has many years of usefulness for us here But to
return to our Mission here in Barranquilla. Our
Church certainly has worthy and faithful repre-
sentative in the person of brother Erwin. like
him very much indeed. | think he is one of the
most devoted men | ever saw; his eye certainly is
singy directed to the glory OF God. His religion,
though is not of the gloomy type; on the contra
ry, he frequently convulses us with laughter by his
Irish wit, and funny anecdotes | just wish you
could see him surrounded by his scholars, bis gar.
den, chickens, etc.. the picture of cheerful con-
tentment. He has right fourishlng day school.
don't know exactly the number of scholars, as he
dismissed for the Christmas holidays the day after
we got here His night school. though, L consider
very promising. He has six or seven men and
we'll grown boys who come to his house, think,
with remarkable regularity; three of them espe-
ciay, who are timers by trade, all working 10 the
same shop. They even continued to work on
Christmas day, and preferred coming to MIR. Er-
wins to all the gayetes Of the streets. This was
something remarkable tor Roman Catholic coun
try. Mr.. Pratt, Mr.. Erwin. and Mr.. Wallace, Of
Bogota all think this very important field, and
that it ought to be occupied by an ordained Mis-
sionary as soon as possible. AS far as the boys
are concerned, Mr.. Erwin | suppose can manage
them as well as any one else but the larger por-
ton of the people can be reached, at least can be
preached to- There is little or no opposition from
the Catholics A great many of them seem to
have no confidence at all in the Priest, and don't
20 to Mass. Besides, think, if judicously con-
Quoted, good work might be done among the
foreigners. Although few of them seem to have
much care for religion of any kind, have met
some whom think, one might well hope, by the
blessing of God to make efficient helpers in the
good work here This city is also the great North
ern outlet for the commerce of the interior; In
Decd according to Mr.. Pratt, it is every way more
important than Socorro. Don't understand me to
mean that one would meet with nothing discour-
aging here on the contrary, there would be much
to discourage. only speak of the apparent pros
poets. These are certainly promising. If you
can get any one else for this place, | would pro-
baby be willing to return after have learned the
language.