By Joseph Willis Spring, 1780 Present-day Kingston, Tennessee The confluence of the Tennessee River and the Clinch River It was in the Spring of 1780, that Richard Curtis and others left South Carolina and traveled by land to the northeastern corner of Tennessee, to the banks of the Holston River. There they built three flat boats, and when the Holston River reached sufficient depth toward the end of that year, they set out for the Natchez country of Mississippi by way of the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. When they reached the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Clinch River (near present-day Kingston, Tennessee) they were attached by Cherokee. The first two boats escaped, but the third, which was traveling at a distance from the other two, was captured. The price paid for this attack was high, for the  Cherokee contracted smallpox from them and many died. Those on the first two boats continued on their voyage and landed safely at the mouth of Cole's Creek about 18 miles above Natchez. Twelve years past, in 1792,  before Fort Southwest Point was built at the location of this attack.  Fort Southwest Point was situated on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Tennessee River and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer HAMMOND – Revival came to the Southeastern Louisiana University campus in early April but is expected to continue in nearby communities for the foreseeable future. Held at the campus’ University Center April 3-5, the Hope, Love and Freedom crusade featured messages by Walt Barnes, associate pastor of student and discipleship ministries at New Palestine Baptist Church in Picayune, Miss. It also included testimonies from SLU students and music by praise and worship bands from Natalbany Baptist Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the school’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry. The revival is one of 10 Harvest events planned in 2017, according to Wayne Jenkins, evangelism and church growth director for Louisiana Baptists. Harvest officially launched Louisiana Baptists’ campaign to “pray for every home and share Christ with every person” in Louisiana. Attendance ranged from 200 the first night to more than 700 the final night of the crusade. Lonnie Wascom, director of missions for Northshore Baptist Association, said an estimated 30 of the 90 churches in his association had members in attendance the last evening. Wascom said even though he did not see many step forward during a … [Read more...]