The next point which they reached was Natchez, and there they found only one Presbyterian family. But that family was that of John Henderson, a name which has become identified with the Natchez church down to the present time, and has proved a tower of strength to the cause of Christ. In the vicinity of Natchez, they found some of the most eminent families who once belonged to Mr. Swayze's congregation, but dispersed by the Spanish authorities. Holding the same standard of doctrinal faith with the Presbyterian church, they readily co-operated with the missionaries. South of this point, they next reached Pinckneyville, not far from the boundary line of the Territory, as had been laid down by Andrew Ellicott, the surveyor, and whose book is now almost entirely gone out of print. There were nine preaching stations, which they established in Big Black, Grindstone Ford, Clark's Creek, Bayou Pierre, Callender's meeting-house, Washington, Natchez, Jersey settlement, and Pinckneyville. It has never been the custom or policy of the Presbyterian Church to organize churches hastily, or without prospects of permanence. Their plan seems to have been to explore the country, to hunt up the members of the church, who were scattered abroad like sheep without a shepherd, and, by the aid of leading members of the new communities, to establish, at eligible points, preaching stations and nuclei of future churches. Of the nine which they established, five were subsequently organized into churches, all of which exist at this time, in the original locations or in places contiguous, where greater convenience is secured for the mass of the community. During the seventy years which have elapsed since these noble missionaries collected the scattered sheep in this vast wilderness, these congregations have passed through great changes-have had their joys and

sorrows. They have steadily poured their saving influences over the communities where they have been located, and sent forth ten thousand streams of salvation, to gladden the hearts of millions then unborn. These five original churches constituted the germ of the first Presbytery which, in 1816, was organized at Pine Ridge, and extended from Perdido river indefinitely westward, and at this day embrace several entire synods.

REV. W. MONTGOMERY.

He

The fourth permanent Presbyterian minister, who permanently settled in the South, the Rev. William Montgomery, was born at Shippensburg, Pa., in 1768. In early youth, his father removed to South Carolina; and some say that he graduated at the Chapel Hill University. He was an admirable classical scholar, and, late in life, his friend Horace was his vade mecum. took a thorough course in theological studies, and was licensed and ordained in North Carolina. Mr. Huey, who heard him preach in 1810, describes him at that time, as quite young in personal appearance, handsome to a fault, dignified, candid and kind, an example in manners, a stranger to everything hidden, and singularly animated and fluent in speech. He commenced preaching by writing his sermon in full, keeping his manuscript before him in the delivery. At an early day in his ministry, he changed his method, and preached without notes. In his best days, he was a preacher of great popularity, and drew large audiences. In the year 1800, the Synod of Carolina selected him, in connection with Rev. James Hall and Rev. James Bowman, as missionaries to the new territory of Mississippi, then just coming under American jurisdiction. The Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, in his history of the missions of the Presbyterian Church, represents the pre

eminent success of these young missionaries. They planted the germ of the first Presbyterian churches in the Southwest, which, in 1816, were formed into the Presbytery of Mississippi, and at one time embraced the present Synods of Alabama, Mississippi, Memphis, Arkansas and Texas. When this mission was completed, Mr. Montgomery returned to Georgia, and settled as pastor of the church of Lexington, in that State. Soon after his settlement at that place, he was united in marriage to Miss Lane, niece of General Joseph Lane, who, in 1860, was the candidate for the vice-presidency of the United States, on the ticket with John C. Breckenridge for the presidency. It was during his ministry in that place, that the great awakening and revival of religion prevailed over that section, attended with the extraordinary nervous convulsions, called the "jerks." In this great revival, he was one of the most active and useful laborers. At first he was suspicious of these strange physical phenomena. But at last he became convinced. of their adaptedness to the times, and the people. In 1810, he once more visited Mississippi, with the view of finding a permanent field of labor. In 1811, he removed, with his family, to Washington, the territorial capital, and became President of Jefferson College, at that place. But he soon resigned this position, that he might devote all his time to the work of the ministry. He was pastor of Pine Ridge church, in connection with other fields of labor. Soon after his arrival, in 1811, one day in Natchez, he was introduced to a stranger, Mr. Dugald Torrey, who became his friend for life. At his request, he sent an appointment to Ebenezer church, which Rev. Jacob Rickhow a short time previously had organized in the Scotch settlement, in the adjoining county of Jefferson. This appointment resulted in a call to become pastor of the two churches, of Ebenezer

and Union, which he accepted, in connection with his charge at Pine Ridge church. Subsequently, by the aid of Mr. Torrey, he purchased a section of land, on which he raised a large family, and resided during the remainder of his life. He was pastor of Ebenezer and Union churches for thirty-seven years, from 1811 to 1848, for some years in connection with Pine Ridge and Harmony church. But he finally gave up all other work, and devoted his time alternately to these two fields, and built them up to be finally the largest churches in the Synod. Every year there were considerable accessions to their memberships. On one occasion, in 1852, the writer (J. R. H.) witnessed an accession of thirty members to Union church. A spirit of devout piety always prevailed. Father Montgomery was scrupulous to meet all his appointments; and, during his long ministry in this field, he failed only to meet two appointments, one failure caused by the death of his wife, the other, by the death of a son. The inclemencies of the weather he never viewed as a sufficient excuse for absence. Hence, large congregations often attended through the rain, knowing that Mr. Montgomery would be sure to be there. His sermons were more didactic and instructive than emotional. During some periods of his ministry, flush times prevailed in the country, and opportunities for making fortunes even seized some of the clergy. But these temptations had no effect upon him. A good or bad season of crops affected him equally, and his life was the same under all circumstances. After his death, one of his neighbors remarked that his life was like the spring of water which gushed from a hill near his door, and which poured forth its clear stream through all seasons of the year, and through all years alike. Through all his life, his wants were well supplied, and when he died, he bequeathed considerable property to his chil

dren. He was never suspected by any one of unfair dealing, or of anything sinister or hidden. He was candid, honest and sincere. In his social intercourse, he was emphatically genial, with large stores of humorous anecdotes, collected in a long lifetime, which he could tell well. In old age, he was a great favorite with the young, and over a wide extent of country he exerted a great influence. One cause which contributed to this widespread influence, arose from the fact, that the older members of these churches were born in the Highlands of Scotland, and many others were of Scotch extraction, emigrants from North Carolina. But the standard of piety among them was elevated. They loved their pastor, and by their prayers and personal influence, held up his hands. This mutual affection was reciprocal, and closed only with the grave. At the time of his death, a living generation had grown up under his influence. He had baptized most of them in infancy, united most of their parents in marriage, and buried their dead. His last illness was received in that place and occupation where every faithful servant of Christ would love to be found. It was in the pulpit, preaching the Gospel. He rode to church, fifteen miles, in the rain, and preached in damp clothes. He took cold, which induced pneumonia. The Rev. Henry McDonald preached his funeral sermon to a large con gregation, and he was laid to rest beside his wife, who had preceded him several years. He died in 1848, was eighty years of age, and had been in the ministry fifty years He left two daughters and five sons, one of whom is Rev. Samuel Montgomery. One son, William, who was a candidate for the ministry, died while a member of the senior class at Oakland College, a few weeks before he gradu ated. "I was with him at the time," writes Mr. McDonald, "though at that time I was not a professor of religion.