The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-05-25
A Visit to Nashville. Tenn.

On my way to Nashville, Tenn.
L passed by the famous battle field
Missionary Ridge. While looking
out Of the car window on "the
bloody field of long ago, it recalled
the fearful struggle between the
Northern and Southern armies
how many noble young men went
down beneath the deadly fire
The roaring of the guns, the clash
ing of the swords, the groans and
cries of the dying, the upturncd
faces of the dead, were all recalled.
Then | thought of the manned
soldiers still struggling on in the
world. / was told Of one young
man who went to tho War from
Chattanooga, who was in that fear~
ful battle around the city, and was
driven back by the enemy until at
last he reached the yard Of his fa-
theirs home, when he fell pierced
by ball from the enemy; how sad. .
Many years have passed since then,
not many Of the old vets are left
to tell the story of their conflict;
soon the last one Of them will
answer to the roll call up yonder.
May they all be ready. AS one of
the younger generation l feel like
standing with uncovered head while
an old soldier passes by. May
God bless every one.
AT Nashville many interesting
things are pointed out to the
stranger. Nashville can boast of
her institutions of learning. Per-
haps no other city anywhere in the
South can surpass her. Wander
bilt University, University of Nash
vile, University Of Tennessee, Fisk
University, Peabody Normal, Col
lege for the blind, &c. They arc
oil fine schools and fine buildings.
The State house is beautiful. The
grave Of President Polk and wife,
near the building, the monument
of Pres. Jackson, the grave of Gen.
Ewell, the grave OF Gen. Carol
who served as Governor Of Tennes-
see for twelve years, are all places
of interest.
The object of my visit to Nash
vile was to attend the meeting OF
the Southern Baptist Convention
1t was a great meeting, one thous-
and and eighty delegates prese:.t t.
Ex. Gov. Eagle Of Arkansas was re-
elected president. In taking charge
OF the gavel, he said that he con.
sidercd it greater honor to pre-
side over that body than to be
President Of the United States. A
collection was taken for the Semi
nary, which amounted to something
over $4,000. Many great sermons
and addresses we're delivered. Per.
haps the greatest day III the his
tory of the convention was Mon,
day, when about twenty mission.
Aries were on the stand at once
some just going out to Forcigr
fields, others just returned from
foreign lands to rest and gair
strength to go again. DR.. r, II
Graves, who has been in China 4S
years, was present and made a talk
After the missionaries had talkeC
awhile and the congregation haC
sang, and prayer followed prayer
while the tears coursed down a.
cheeks, DR.. Willingham, Secretary
Of the Foreign Board, asked if any
in the congregation would Offer
themselves as missionaries to for
eign fields. Many young men anc
women rose and said they woul(
go. Oh, what time we had.
Heaven came down, our soul!
to greet,
Aid glory crowned the mercy
seat"
While IN Nashville sMr. j. r
Watkins, a native of South Caro-
lima, showed me much kindness
Mr.. Watkins is a son Of w. c.
Watkins Of Slabtown, and cousll
of r. f. and w. G. Smith of Eas
ley. Mr.. Watkins has nice bust
ness in Nashville, and is making
money. He went thero eighteel
years ago. All his children, five
daughters, are full graduates. Two
of Bro. Watkins children have
died in Tennessee, but his love fol
his old home caused him to bring
them back, and they now rest neal
the old Homestead" "JIome
sweet home" May God bless him
and his for their kindness to ono o
His servants. ID. w. Hiott.
P. S. [ am under obligations tt
three of my churches, who, by theil
thoughtful liberality, gave me the