Christian Messenger (Bonham, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 9, 1877 Page: 6 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Fannin County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Bonham Public Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
6 '
Christian Messenger
THE MESSENGER.
*
WEDNESDAY, KAY »,'1877.
~
A.mong the Heathen.
The'following is taken from
the editorial correspondence of
the St. Louis Christian Advo-
cate :
The'nutmeg tree was am6ng
.he strange things we saW 'on
our way back; to Galle. JT^ie
nutin'egitself, enclosed by ma6e,
has an outside hull not unlike
that of the hickory nut. When
* this outer hull txursts, the rich
color oi the mace is very beau-
tiful. We caught several de-
lightful whiffs while at Wake-
wella; thought tljiey were cer-
tainly “Ceylon’s spicy breezes,”
but as they ,w^re never after-
wards repeated, we concluded
that it'was the fragrance of the
flowers. The spices give forth
their, odors only Jvbfth crushed.
Spicy breezes is poetry. t
We went to Colombo in the
“Socotra,” of the British India
Line. The distance is only
about seventy-five miles, which
we made dunqg the night, t Co-
lombo,the capital of Ceylon, a
place of 100,000 and of consid-
erable commerce, has uo har:
bor. A breakwater is being
constructed at immense cost, in
the hope of securing a safe
place for the anchorage of ves-
sels. Here we took the cars
for Kandy, some seventy-two
miles distant, and the ancient
capital of Ceylon. The rail-
road was, of course, thoroughly
English, with compartment
cars. We passed along much
jungle land with vines, shrubs
and trees all matted in. one: im-
penetrable mass., Tigers .are
occasionally found there, but
the wild elephants are confined
largely to tne eastern side of
the island. We passed many
Tice or paddy fields, and saw
the rice harvest being gathered.
In other fields were brick,
yards, where buffaloes, tied to
each other, were preparing, the
mnd for the moulder by tread-
ing it under their feet. Men
were fishing in pools of stand-
ing water. They had funnel-
shaped baskets, open at both
ends, and when the larger end
was put down in the water the
presence of ttyet fish would i be
discovered by their beating
against the side of the basket,
when the man would thrust his
hand through the other hole
and catch them. This being
the dry andhot eeason of. the
year, there were many of these
stagnant pools. The monsoon
rains, as the spring and fall
rains are called, earning as they
do with the changes of the mon-
soons or winds, will transform
them into torrents. ; '
The scenery becomes grand
as we near Kandy. Bold bluffs
and mountains appear on eith-
er hand, some remote and oth-
. era so near that we can see the
. eom plantations on their sides,
• .with the planter’s bungalow up
hear the top. Presently, with
the help of another engine, we
begin to climb the steep grade
which leads up the mountain
side. For miles we continue
the ascent, often along the very
edge of the precipice, more than
athousand feet above the val-
ley. The view lacks the sub-
limity of Cape Horn or Ameri-
ican Canyon, in the Sierra Ne-
vadas, but it surpasses both in
beauty. What with the grace-
ful palms and all kinds of lux-
uriant tropical Vegetation, the
mountain sides covered with
the coffee tree and the wonder-
fully terraced rice fields all
through the valley, now green
with growing rice, that which
alone is needed to make the
landscape possess every ele.
ment of the beautiful, is a lake
road, which first pioneered
these mountain fastnesses, is a
huge rock called “Kadergana-
wa,” or “The drawing of
Swords.” The natives had a
legend that whatever people
should go through this rock
would conquer the island, and
it was, qf course, regarded as
a strategic point. The English
went through it by tunneling
under it. The rock, with the
road beneath it, is a very prom-
inent object from the cars. A
monument to the engineer of
the ro^d crowns the summit a
few hundred yards distant.
Kandy we found to be a gem.
It is the ancietnt'capital, and in
addition to its fine natural lo-
cation amid the mountains, the
old kings beautified it yet more
by a large artificial lakh. The
palaces of the former kings, as
well as their < 'pleasure houses
on the margin of the lake, still
remain.. It was a delightful
place to visit; Sunday morning
early we went to the beautiful
Wesleyan chufoh, just as the
Singalese congregation wete
about to celebrate the Lord’s
supper. The. native ■ preacher
had finished his sermon and
proceeded with the communion
service. The only Words which
we understood were “Gethsem-
ane* and “Jesus Christ,” but
those were enough, and al-
though Bishop Marvin and I
were .the Only persons other
than Singalese who were pres-
ent, we bowed with ‘them,' and
received amid peculiar emo-
tions from the hand of a con-
vert from heathenism the em-
blems of our Lord’s death. It
is Jesus who makes the whole
world akin. Of the subsequent
English services at 9:30 a. m.,
ana of the Wesleyan sermon,
and the day spent in company
with Rev. Ji Nicholson and
Rev. George Baugh, at the
house of Bro. Eatbli, circuit
steward, I cannot say' more
than that it transported ns back
to America, and for the time
we almost forgot the twelve
thousand miles that separated
us from our native land. In the
evening the Bishop made a few
remarks, and the Rev. George
Baugh preached his last sermon
in Ceylon, having been appoint-
ed chairman of the Calcutta
district. A tea meeting was
held the next evening to take
farewell of himself and family.
Cakes and tea constituted tne
refreshments, and then followed
many speeches, the two Ameri-
cans adding to the number.
The Bishop’s was one of his
happiest efforts. The Church
here embraces many nationali-,
ties, no less than seven—Eng-
lish, Butch, Portugese, Singa-
lese, Tamils, Hindoos, and
Americans, bowing at the
Lord’s table on Sunday night.
While at Kandy, we visited
the Botanical Gardens, and
among other interesting things
we saw India rubber trees,
many different species of the
palm, the chocolate tree, the
cotton tree sixty feet high, and
the cinohona tree, from the
bark of which quinine is made.
After taking breakfast with
Rev. Robert Tebb, the Wesley-
an pastor here, we were accom-
panied by him to a coffee plan-
tation. The coffee tree grows
wild, but when cultivated it is
not allowed to grow more than
three feet tall. Coffee growing
is the great industry of this
part of Ceylon. One planter
told us that he cleared $20,000
Just year. Labor is very cheap,
and in Ceylon, as in Japan,
China and India, laborers and
servants of all kinds board
themselves. Coffee at 0 a. in
breakfast at 11 a. m., tiffin at
2 p. m., dinner at 7 p. m., is the
order of the meals among for-
eigners in all the East. It is
not; strange that a preacher was
or river half hidden by the rich reported at conference as sick
foliage. At it was we caught
glimpses of the silver sheen of
the irrigating streams which
wound among the rice fields.
Lying across tlie splendid stage
from digestion. We also visit-
ed, the tempb* which contains
Buddha's tooth,. the audience
chamber of the former Kandy
an kings, their tombs and otn*
er objects of interest. Our
drive led us;by some of the im-
mense ant hills made by the
white ants. Many houses have
floors of cement to protect
against their inroads.
It was high honor to stand
for a few moments in the first
Methodist pulpit in this part of
the world. Was it not our first
American Bishop who had led
this forlorn hope to Ceylon ? ;
It was a great privilege, also,
to address, through an interpre-
ter, several hundred native
Christians at Moratto. The
Bishop preached some forty-
five minutes, and I followed in
a talk of fifteen. This place
was once as notorious for wick-
edness as it now is for piety.
A native preacher, by the
name of Silon, inaugurated the
work here in 1841, by house to
house visitation among the
people. Many were converted,
and the people themselves
built d church, costing $2,500.
The church now numbers over
400 members. They never
meet without taking up a col-
lection. Even on this week-
day afternoon, when we were
there, they adhered to the rule.
For neatness in dress and gen-
eral attention they would com-
pare with an average American
congregation. After the servi-
ces t^ey rose in a body to as-
sume ns of their prayers for our
safe and prosperous journey,
and many came forward to take
us by the hand. We also visi-
ted another church in process of
erection, about a half mile dis-
tant. This, too, is being built
wholly by the natives, at a cost
Of $3,500. During One week
200 carpenters of the place gave
their labor gratis ana finished
all lie woodwork, the people
providing them with food. The
building is of stone, and will
hold about 400 persons. We
were much pleased with the
native preachers. We took
tiffin with our interpreter and
his wife, at the comfortable
home of one of the Singalese
members. They speak Eng-
lish fluently, but preach in Sin-
galese.
We passed Moratto again on
our way back to Galle in the
royal mail coach. Onr ride
of seventy-two miles was ac-
complished in about ten hours
and oy means of twelve relays
of spirited horses. Our way
led by cinnamon gardens,
through cocoa palm groves, be-
tween the roots of a large ban-
yan, which actually covered
the road, and by marsh and
sea shore. Several huge liz-
ards, from four to six feet long,
which We at first mistook for
alligators, crossed the road as
we hurried on: Stopping to
give them chase our passengers
found them very fleet but not
wholly impervious to a bullet.
The cinnamon gardens look
like groves of young peach
trees. When allowed to grow
the cinnamon becomes as large
as an apple tree, but its sprouts
are constantly cut off on reach-
ing a height of three or four
feet, and the bark is removed
for the market, while the wood
is sold for fuel. I was told that
the largest market for the cin-
namon is in Catholic countries
in Europe, where it is used in
making incense.
Bishop Marvin preached at
Galle on yesterday in the inter-
est of the Wesleyan Extension
Fund. We afterwards embark-
ed on the “Australia” for Mad-
ras and Calcutta, Rev. George
Baugh and family, with several
pleasant companions from the
“Geelong,” as fellow passen-
gers. We have kept in sight
of Ceylon all day, and will
sight India to-morrow, arriving
at Madras Wednesday morning.
Our ship, which is quite a
large one, runs between Calcut-
ta and Southampton. She
brought out a large passenger
list for Australia, connecting at
Galle with the monthly steam-
er for 8ydney.
THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC
—RAILWAY—
AND ITS CONNECTIONS
FORM THE
Most Direct and Quickest Line
—fro si-
ALL POINTS IN TEXAS
St. Louis, Memphis, Chicago,.Nash-
ville, Cairo, Louisville, Indian-
apolis, Chattanooga, Tole-
do, Atlanta, and
* . . . r i /
ALL P0INT8
NORTH, EAST-&-SOUTH-EAST.
-: o :-
Trains leave Bonham as follows:
WEST.
5:05 P. m.
12:15 pm
No.3-1, Expr’ss
“ 32, « ••
“ 33 W’y.F’t
u _ u ‘a
EAST.
10:40 pm
ii3£
AM.
CONNECTIONS :
At Texarkana, with all trains on
St. Louis & Iron Mountain and So.
Rw3% for all points North, East and
South-Eafit.
At Longview Junction and Min-
neola, with pH trains on Interna-
tional railroad Iojt Tyler, Palestine,
Houston, Austin, Galveston and San
Antonio.1 - f » P;,>-
At Dallas,! with finfos of the
Houston & Te*aa Central Rwy. for
Corsicana, Me?ia, Bremond, Waco*
Calvert, Bryan, Hempstead, Bren-
ham, and all points ’in -Middle and
Southern Texas.
At Sherman, with H. Sc T~ CL
Rwy. for all points on the line of
that road.1
At Fort Worth with Stages for
all points in Western Texas.
At Shreveport, with Rod River
Steamers "for New Cleans.
pullMan s
$ ■ -
PALACE SLEEPING CABS,
—IRO*—
FT. WORTHED ALLAS, SHERM'N
—TO—
SAINT LOUIS.
t&r Any information in regard to
rates ot Freight and Passage, Time
and Connections, will be cheerfully
given on application to .*
GEO. NOBLE, Gen*I. Sapt,, Mar-
shall, Texas.
W. H. Newmax, Gen’l. Frt. Agent,
Marshall, Texas. '
R. W. Thompson, Jm., Gen’l. P. k
T. Agent, Marshal, Texas.
J. S. SAUNDERS. ' BAOON SAUNDERS.
DRS. SAUNDERS. ^ '
Have associated themselves togeth-
er in the practice of Medicine, Sur-
gery^atod Obstetrics. Office, up
stairs in Saunders’ building. Resi-
dence, Main street, one blockNorth
of sqw** .u
ftpODS
Phillips & Duneap,
WEST SIDE PUBLIC SQUARE,
- - - - .*■
1fr-i?E£AS.
BONHAM, -
—DEALERS IN— 7
DRY-GOODS,
NOTIONS,
CLOTHING,
i ’ i BOOTS,
SHOES,! ; ,
HATS,
t ,;TBUNKV , -
: " \ TABLE AND
POCKET CUTLERY, Etc., Etc.
AGENTS FOR THE CELEBRATED
avert Plow.
LOWEST CASHPBICE.
i®* Call -altd examine, them.' be
fore purchasing.
♦ pi
gPOTTS St FINNEY,
‘ * *
DEALERS IN ..
FAMILY GROCERIES*
',■*> ^ 'till
,Tt BONHAM, TEXAS. >•
, I , | \ , .•’«#*# i r * ■ i
Keep always op band a splendid
assortment of FresbGroceries,which
we intend to Bell pi bottom figures.
Give as a call. *• Weal side square.
249-^ - ,3.
R. R. DULEST,
DEALER IN
.ib
Furn httre, and undertaker’s goods.
3 story brick,south sido eq.,
Sherman -
Texas.
Keeps on hand a large stock of
Parlor and Chamber Suits.
Ward-robos, Bureaus, Chairs,
t * * •
Window-shades, Mouldings, Brack-
ets, Picture Frames, Spring-bed bot-
toms, -
CHILDREN’S CARRIAGES,
Lamar Nurseries.
. . ' /
rpHESE NURSERiWf ARBBIT-
A mated four miles chst of Paris,
Lamar county, ■ Texas. .We invite
the attention of the friends of horti-
culture to our Nursery Stock, grown
ky us here, consisting: in part ot
Southern varieties ol carefully se-
lected
Apples, Pears,
• Plums, Cherries,
Peachee^Nedarines,
Apricots, Almonds,
Figo, Pomegranates,
Grape Vines,
Blackberries, ..
, .Raspberries, v
Strawberries,
v 1 Flowering Shrubs
Ever-blooming Roses,
. , Evergreens, etc., etc.
The above fruits carefully selected
and grown by us'in Variety, are for
sale at reasonable prices. Wo would
recommend our southern, or home-
grown trees, and baaing had mnch
experience, and tested many of eur
varieties here,, wa flatter onraelvea
that we ace better prepared 1
oxpe-
are better prepared to suit
customers than those without expe-
rience in our climhte.
a2d8
J. Q. A. WALKER,
Proprietor.
JA
DREW8 k WRIGHT, 4
T • ? f ; f{ * * **; ' * . J
(Formorly Andrews,,Moore k Co.,)
—DEALERS TN—
COFFINS, WOOD AND
METALIC BURIAL CASES,
BOOTS, SHOES, HATS, CAPS,
.—AND—
Gents’ Furnishing Goods.
Onr obiect is to supply the trade
with good goods at reasonable pri-
ces. Look for the sign of The Big
Boot, in a circle, on Houston street,
under Gabon’s Art Gallery, Sher-
man, Texas.
X. W. CAMPBELL.
R. M. LUSK.
JAB. B. LTDAT.
CAMPBELL, LYDAY A LUSK,
Attorneys & Counsellors at Law
Bonham, Fannin Co., Texas.
Will practice in Fannin and ad-
joining counties, in tho Supreme
and Undertaker’s hardware, Orders and Appellate Courts at Tyler and
from a distance solicited. v3nl0 j Austin, and in the Federal Ceurt at
V t? PPPPV-i Tyler, office in the N. W. corner
J, ULiKKY, | of Conrt-houso. J-21
—DEALER IN—
Tlie Lone Star
Lumber Yard,
All kinds of Books, Stationery,
Music, Musical Instruments, Pic
tures, Picture frames, Mouldings,
Wall paper, Pocket-books,Brackets, of Denison, Texas will sell Itmber,
Photographic A’bdms,Blank books, laths, shingles, pickets, dooimfolinds
and Fancy notions of every kind, j mouldings, cement, lime, plaster
MtW/1 At All 1%-*. t ®
Subscribe for the Messenger.
Where also can be found at all
times tho latest principal daily pa-
pers, literary papora and news of
nil kinds. One uoor South of Post-
office, Bonhaui, Texas. [2-47-3m
and hair aa low aa the loweet.
Please give me a call and exam-
ine nay stock befortf >umha#dng
elsewhere. JOI1N Rl CARR.
2:42-6m
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Burnett, Thomas R. Christian Messenger (Bonham, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 9, 1877, newspaper, May 9, 1877; Bonham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth974488/m1/6/: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bonham Public Library.