The Little River news., 1920-04-21
Former Little River Pastor Writes Of Foreign Lands


 We are reproducing letter from Rev. Jas. R. Rhodes, formerly pastor of the Richmond and Wilton churches, and who now is in Torreon, Mexico. His letter fellows to Rev. s. K. Bur- nett:
 'HTorreon, Mexico, April IA.
 Rev. S. K Burnett, Ashdown, Ark. i "Multidudeous and multiforious have been the scenes and travels and incl dents since I bade you farewell that ever to be remembered night of our start to 2 foreign land. Through Tex as' rich cotton and corn land into her desert territory with stops at Texar- kama, San Antonio and Laredo. Then across the Bio Grande into strange land with strange tongue. Customs officials and finally aboard train into the interior of Mexico, We have a guard of soldiers on board and are ready for any imergency. This was my first experience with second class passage on train TiIe people crowd ed and headed in like cattle. l was in first class coach. We travelled all day seeing almost every kind of de- sert plant and very little life outside of what was oni the train. Mountains and distant vistas passed slowly in review. It was grand sight. Mon terey was our next stop where we spent Sunday l heard my first ser- mon in Spanish. walked down narrow paved streets and sat in PlaZas bloom in,. with roses, violets and semi-tro- pical plants. while 2 great mountain peak loomed up in the foreground, about a mile away, though it looked not more than one-half mile. We left there, Monterey, and reached Tor reon Monday night without mishap. Saw several wrecks, relics of the rev. 'olution and whole railroad torn up for miles.
 The man and the burro do all the burden bearing here. It is odd to see a man with a trunk strapped on his back hurrying along the street. There are many customs and peculiarities that could tell you of if time and space allowed.
 Torreon Is city of about 10000; has two suburbs of 10000 each. A great cotton market; the Nazas river flows near by in wet seasons and af- lords water for vast areas of land, which is rich and fertile. Further on this river just spreads out over the desert forming great lagoon miles land and wide. It looks good out there amid the desert land. thought when l saw 1t from the train that it was a mirage but We were soon pass ing through it and 1t was good to look at. Ducks were plentiful on it and aso other water fowls. Come on down and lets hunt some ducks.
 We like our work very much and are learning the language rapidly while we work. I have four English classes in school and at night preach twice month to few Americans who come out to church. We have beautiful building and the Mexican s. S. and church are large. A good w. M. s. with about 20 members. There are about 100 Sunday School members, league of about 25, junior league of about 15. So you see we are pro- 'gressing nicely here.
 "Everything is fine except my goods haven't come yet, in fact tbey haven't reached Fl Paso.
 Will you put in claim or have the agent send tracer for the stuff from there? I will greatly appreciate it if you will. I seem to ask favors of you every time I come to you but what's friend for any how, eh?
 Am enclosing duplicate bill of lad ing which please take care of for me and return as it is all have
 Hope your work is progressing nicely. Regards to your wife and the children. With best personal wishes, l am, yours fraternally,
 "Jas. R. Rhodes"