The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-07-20
(BION III. BUTLER.o

ontreat. July lin figuring on
development of the mountain
country of North Carolina and it's ad-
yacc into one of the great outing
regions Of the world right here at the
Presbyterian retreat of Montreal is
found a powerful factor in what is to
be done.
Montreal is the summer resort of
the Presbyterian church of the United
states. This place to me is an in
teresting development and an interest
ing indication of the future of the
mountains Eighteen years ago Rev.
T. s Collins, a Connecticut Congrega-
tional preacher bought the tract Of
mountain land now known as Mon
treat He had in his head the idea
of q great religious gathering place,
and his plan was intelligent from the
start. To find his location he made
searching investigation of various
places, and finally decided on the
large body of land a couple Of miles
from Black Mountain on the Southern
railroad. He commenced the work OF
creating the assembly grounds, and
interested many persons who bought
lots and took stock. However the
project failed for want Of sufficient
capital. Black Mountain was then
too far from the world and too little
known.
At the critical time Huyler, the
candy man of New York, came to the
rescue, and bought the property. Ten
years ago the synod Of the Presby-
terian church of North Carolina en-
dorsed a plan to secure the property
Tor q Presbyterian assembly ground
and succeeded in persuading the Gen.
eral Assembly of the Presbyterian
church of the United States to take
up the proposition, which was done II
.d9OS. From that time Montreal be-
came the official home Of the variOu:
educational and recreation influence!
of the Presbyterian church Of thu
United States, and what that signifie:
few need to be told.
Montreal Is Established.
We have been hearing of Montreal
but to understand it's value q tour t.
the mountains is necessary. Th
pioneering days at this work are over
Montreal is established. 1t is the sea
Of the Presbyterian effort in America
and it is the vacation home for tn
Presbyterian preacher and layman
Large hotels have been built, som
225 private homes, auditorium an
institutions of that sort, and a pla
is working out that no man ca
measure yet, because none among u
can prophesy.
do not propose to write pros
pectus for Montreal. I am simpl
showing it's relation to the develop
ment Of the North Carolina noun
tains, a relation that is bound to b
of far-reaching influence. Those VIII
want to find out about Montreal ca
get their information from almOs
any member Of the Presbyteria
church any place or from the secre
tary Of the association. That is ne
in my line. The thing that strike
me is that a great religious denomina
ton has picked this spot as the locs
the unique settlements Of the eartl
The Presbyterian church of tn
United States is right siZable Orgs
nization, represented in a wide terri
tory. 1t embraces a highly-deSlrab
population. When this religious bod
builds mounatin resort in Mort
carolina 1T starts out with the pOsitl>
assurance that the moral atmosphel
Will be absolutely clean. There is or
ot the most important features
Montreal 1t is attracting to Mort
carolina from all over the Unite
states the best possible quality of Wis
tors. We may look at this thing fro
any point of view we like, but whe
you start resort community into tt
world with the strict guarantee that
IS clean you have gone a long VIZ
toward giving it q recommendation
Unqualified COmmcndatiOn.
have been in a good many kim
ot public places, and i have new
seen the place ] could give a mo
unqualified recommendation ths
Montreat. Do you understand Il
vast importance Of that condition.?