The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-20

arrangements. But whatever may be
the Majors notions as to the utility of
the Press Convention, the journalism OF
Mississippi does not afford the name OF
one who has more exalted conception
of the mission of the press, or who
wields reader or more prudent and
conservative pen.
THE BANK HOTEL,
There is another institution in Port
Gibson that is an honor to the place and
that Is praised by all who find shelter
under its roof-the Bank Hotel, kept by
Capt. Weeks, To him and his kind lady
! am indebted for special care on my
former visit.
There are many other persons and
things | would like to mention, but must
reserve the balance of this communica-
tion for an account of the
sEmECENTGNNIAL CELEBRATION
OF the Presbyterian church of Port
Gibson. which was founded by Rev
Iebulon Butler, in 1929. The celebra
tiou should have taken place in 1879,
but circumstances did not favor until
now,
The commemoration exercises were
begun yesterday Sunday morning, The
spacious and handsome church, erected
Just prior to the war, at a cost of forty
thousand dollars, was handsomely de-
coratcd. On the wall, back Of the pull
pit, were the words, "Ye Shall Hallow
the Fiftieth Year" A portrait of DR.
Butler painted during the first years OF
his ministry, was suspended on the right
of the pulpit, and portrait of Rev. DIR.
Price on the left. Rev, DIR. j. b. STRAIT
ton, of Natchez, Rev. !. Woodbridge, of
Wesson, and the pastor, Rev. ID. A.
Planck, occupied the pulpit. The very
large audience room was nearly filed there
being no service at the other churches,
and many persons being preseut from the
surrounding country. The best musical
talent Of the town composed the choir,
and to say that this part of the service
was fully equal to the occasion, is but
moderate praise DIR. Stratton preached
the morning sermon, taking as his text
the last clause of Cd Chronicles 5:14-
'for the glory of the Lord has filled the
house of God. " He spoke forty-tiye
minutes. His theme could not have
been more appropriate. Toward the
close of his discourse, he made several ten
der allusions to DIR. Butler, with whom he
had been very intimately associated, and
to whom he ministered in his dying
hour. Dir. Stratton has been pastor OF
the Natchez church forty years, and his
congregation have intimated purpose
to make public recognition, in December
next, of his life and labors among them
In the afternoon, the children of the
church had an exceedingly appropriate
service, during which Rev. Messrs
Woodbridge, shaw and Planck, and you
correspondent, made short addresses. A
bright young miss, Sallie Wood, reeitet
poem written for the occasion. Eacf
class marched in with banner, ant
during the exercises each recited motto
Thesinging was excellent, closing viii
the "Sweet By-and-By."
At night there was another large con
grcgation, to listen to the historical dis
course by the pastor. Rev. A. Mccall
lum, the oldest member of Synod, beinI
in his eighty-sccond year, offered fer
vent prayer, when Mr.. Planck proceeded
at once with the labor Of love he hat
undertaken. His sketch must have beer
intensely interesting to the members 0
the church, and of the entire community
for it dealt with persons and events wit
which all were more or less identified
But there were matters in his discours
of general interest, some of which | vii
endeavor to recall.
He repudiated that feeling which, t
some extent prevailed that Presbyterian
are deficient in the pioneer spirit-tha
they wait until way has been blazone
before they entered the wilderness, an
after citing instances from Scottish
Welsh and French history, thought tina
correct narrative of church work i
the Territory of Mississippi would b
/ creditable to the zeal of Presbyterian
, ism.
: He claimed that the first church mon
| ment in the way of sending the gospel
} this section was that of the Board {
Missions of the Presbyterian church j
New York, which, in 1913, commissions
l Rev. Joseph Bullen to visit the Chick
| saw Indians, and report as to the be,
way of establishing a mission static
e among them. In 1900, the Synod {
$ North Carolina appointed three minister
| to the American settlement in southwe
Mississippi-Rev. VIM. Montgomer
: Rev. Jas. Hall and Rev. Jas. Bowman
= They arrived in 1901 and organized ii
A the first church in 1904. These thrt
t made the journey on horse back, by WI
+, of Nashville, and thence over the rOu
: known as the Natchez Trace. The
f braved the dangers that made this roa
/ famous. They were nearly starved {
e the Journey. The last dust of me
c had been eaten, when they caught
a racoon. At two O'Clock in the morniI
i of December 4, 1880, they heard d
s Growing of rooster, which Mr. Nor
IS gomery afterward said one Of the swc,
. est sounds he ever heard, as it assur
Il them they were near a human habit
e ton. They hastened to the house, stu
ted on the Big Black river, and witho
ceremony aroused the inhabitants, wi
the apology that they were starvir
If They were supplied and proceeded
ie Port Gibson.
,r A few hours before their arrival, NJ
RI Gibson. wife of the first settler, die