The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1902-07-16


in Cooke county, Tennessee, post office
a mile or so from the Pigeon river, al
most within the shadow of the Ole
Smoky himself. Here Rev. Irvine Bar,
rows and wife, faithful, devoted, effective
missionaries of the Society, are living
and laboring. A house in which to reside
was not available when they came to the
field, but very humble one was soon
erected by Mr.. Barrows, and although it
is not of the Fifth Avenue or Colonial
Mansion design, it serves its purpose as
a home for loving, self-sacrificing Chris
tian workers. Here, around the beautiful
laurel bushes and beside the sparkling
spring, their little children romp and run
until tired out at eventide, they fall to
sleep to the cricket's chirp, or the whip
poor-will's wall.
AS there is no church in the COM
munity, the services announced for Sat
urday and Sunday were held in the
school house, and very interesting and
profitable did they prove.
Saturday was rainy, but the ardor of
the people was in nowise dampened, for
they attended the services in large num-
bers. In addition to the preaching on
Saturday, Scripture contest was con-
Quoted which was in every way worthy
OF a thoroughly drilled city Sunday
school. In the forenoon the contest was
among children under ten years of age.
and the first prize was captured by Ben.
Fhllllps, little boy nine years of age,
who reclted with great accuracy seven
verses from the third chapter of Johns
Gospel, all of the fourteenth chapter, all
OF the fifteenth, and the thirteenth chap
ter OF First Corinthians. In the after
noon the contest was among the older
scholars, and the first place was taken
by William Gates, fourteen years of age.
who recited almost perfectly all the
Scripture OF the forenoon contest, and in
addition the fifth chapter of James and
the fifth chapter of Matthew This con-
test was close, for Rachel Phillips, Har-
rlson Phillips, and Charlie Gates were
only about two points behind the winner.
while little Lavanche Barrows, the six
year-old daughter of the missionaries,
reclted well enough with the older schol-
airs to deserve honorable mention.
In addition to the Scripture selections.
the children had memorized much of the
Catechlsm. The work reflects credit on
the missionaries, and shows what can be
i'll a short time among the
mountain people. The children are
bright, and need only the opportunity to
learn and develop.
AT the morning contest occurred an in
cldent of special note. A girl twelve
years of age was given prize for having
gtUen up the use of tobdccOi 1t is pain
fully surprising to learn how many OF
the little children in the community use
tobacco or snuff. Some of the girls eight.
ten, twelve and fourteen wears of ooe
CHEW tobacco while great many of them
dip snuff. Some of the little BOYS begin
using tobacco before they put on trousers.
Sunday was a splendid day in the
Tampa field. In the morning a profitable
service was conducted for a large congre-
CATION. In the afternoon we crossed
INTO North Carolina, and preached at
Big Creek to a congregation that crowded
the school house to the doors, and even
then all who came didn't enter. AT night
another good service was held at Tampa.
At all of these services there were evil
dences of the presence of the Spirit. and
souls were born into the kingdom of God.
This, then, is the promise of the Smok-
les, through the influence of the inspired
Word: Christianity and civilization in
children reclaimed, lives trans
formed, and souls born into the kingdom
Of God. For what is being done at this
point in the mountains is being done at
many places elsewhere, through the in
'trumentdHty of the Society of Soul WIN
1ers.
Out from Paint Rock, n c., and Del
10, Tenn, | found Rev. j. A. Berry,
Misses Reed and Evans, Messrs. Burton
md Reed doing the same chara cter of