My Life Is an Open Book (Hancock)/Chapter 7
The brethren of Boliver, Mo., and vicinity wrote for us to visit that part. They did this with the idea that they would get us to move to that, Polk, county. We went and spent one week, but it did not suit us to move to that part. With the exception of that trip our labors were confined, for the first year and a half, to Barry, McDonald and Newton counties. For that time we received, by way of remuneration, about forty dollars. Through Bro. Murray, of Columbus, Kan., we were requested to visit southeastern Kansas and spend some time. On Saturday before the first Lord's day in October, I think it was, we started for Columbus, Kansas. Saturday night we stayed with an old brother by the name of Cole, near Pierce City, Mo. We worshiped with the brethren there Lord's day, and Monday evening we stopped at a farm house on Jenkins creek, Jasper Co., Mo. There was a congregation of disciples there, and the man we stopped with was one of the deacons. His name was Kinny. He had gone to Carthage that morning, and when he returned, some time after we stopped, a Bro. Smith, the other deacon of the congregation was with him. The forepart of the night was spent in pleasant conversation. In compliance with their earnest request we agreed to preach at their school house the next night. The appointment was well circulated that day, and we had a good audience to talk to that night. It was Lord's day evening, however, before they would agree for us to close and pursue our journey.
Soon as we had dismissed the audience Lord's day evening, a sister came to the pulpit, and having introduced herself, said, "I live at a little place called Fidelity. It is on the road, from what I learn, that you will travel. We need preaching very bad. Just give me the privilege of circulating an appointment for you tomorrow night. One discourse will do good." We called the attention of the audience and announced that we would preach at Fidelity the next night. That night two came forward, which called for baptizing next day. We found no stopping place till Lord's day night, and that night there was one confession, a somewhat noted infidel, but we attended to the baptizing next morning, and started for Columbus. While at Fidelity we had no preaching through the day. A Bro. Reed that was stopping there had occasion to drive to Joplin, and asked us to go with him. We had to go through the little town of Scotland. Bro. Allen Scott lived there. While at Jenkins and Fidelity we had heard him spoken of as a good preacher, and a noble brother.
I told Bro. Reed that I wanted him to halt in Scotland long enough for me to see Bro. Scott. I found him very busy, superintending some butchering. I introduced myself. He eyed me from head to foot, turned, and went about his business. I went back to the buggy. Bro. Reed said, "You did not stay long." I said, "No. He would not even pass the compliments of the day with me. I guess he judged me by my home spun garb, and think they have no use for an Arkansawyer." Bro. Reed said, "There is something wrong. I cannot think that is the spirit of Bro. Scott. He is an old fashioned Tennessenean, not inclined to be stylish, but very open hearted." When we got to Scotland on our return that evening, I said, "Bro. Reed I am going to see Bro. Scott again. It may be that he was somewhat out of humor this morning." I again went to where he was, but he was so distant I did not tarry. I said, "Bro. Reed, that old man has about enough religion to make a regular old fashioned forty gallon Baptist." Bro. Reed said, "I cannot think that to be Bro. Scott's disposition. There is something out of joint."
After attending to the baptizing on Monday morning, as suggested, we started on our road to Columbus. We had, however, to pass through Scotland. We determined to stop and stay long enough to find out what kind of man Bro. Scott was. They had a small congregation there, and as we had spent so much time on the way we concluded that we would go no farther, provided we could get to preach a week in Scotland. When I reached Scotland, I found Bro. S. very busily engaged in preparing a discourse, to be delivered in a school-house, two miles from there, to be delivered that evening, in reply to a sermon preached by a Materialist. Being seated I said, "Bro. Scott, I had started to Columbus, Kansas, but on my way here I have spent so much time that I concluded, if it was desired, to stop here and preach a few sermons, and postpone my trip to Kansas." He stopped writing, and said, "We are not wanting a meeting here. We are not in a condition to hold one, it would do no good, and I guess we will not try it." I said, "You, of course, are to decide as to whether you have a meeting. As to doing good, I will risk that part, and as to remuneration, I am not wanting to hire to hold you a meeting. I would like to preach a few nights." He replied, "We are not in a condition to have a meeting, and I guess we will not undertake one." He then turned his attention to his writing.
Presently old Sister Scott came into the room, and being seated we entered into a conversation. In answer to an inquiry as to where I was from, I told her that my home was at Washburn, Mo., that I moved from Boone Co., Ark., to Washburn. She then asked, "Did you know Dr. Kirby of Harrison, that county?" I said, "Yes, Dr. Kirby was my right hand bower. I have been with him a great deal." The old folks looked at each other and smiled. The first smile that I had seen on Bro. Scott's face. The old sister said, "Dr. Kirby is my son." I said, "Bro. Kirby had often told me about his mother, and his step-father, and I knew the name, but I thought they lived in a different part of Missouri to this." She said, "You are now with them." I said, "I am glad to be with you. I thought so much of him, maybe I can think something of you."
The old brother then told me what he was doing, and said, "You stay here today, and go with me to my appointment tonight, the other elder will be there, and if he thinks it necessary we will make an appointment for tomorrow night, though, as I said, I don't think will do any good." After we had gotten to the appointment that night, and just before preaching I saw Bro. Scott in private conversation with a man, I guessed to be "the other elder." I noticed the stranger eye me critically, then turn and say something to Bro. Scott. It was announced that a strange preacher would preach in Scotland the next night. The appointment was announced in the schools of the adjoining neighborhoods next day. After making my discourse that night I sat down, with the conclusion that if they wanted any more preaching they would let it be known. Bro. Scott announced preaching for the next night, and dismissed the audience. After preaching the next night I called on the old brother to conclude the meeting. He announced preaching for the next night, and requested all present to give the meeting as much circulation as possible. The third night I talked of the nature and design of what is called the reformation of the nineteenth century.
Bro. Scott managed to keep his seat till I closed. He then said, "I want you all to tell every body you see, and send word to all that you don't see, that meeting is going on here. Tell them that there is a man here that can learn them something, for he is versed in the gospel." The next night two made the good confession. After baptizing the next day Bro. Scott asked us to walk down to the store. The next Lord's day I could appear in my broad cloth. Of course, the old brother and others were better satisfied with my outward appearance, but I am satisfied that I was no more in earnest, and that, hence, my preaching was not with any more power than when I was dressed in the cloth made by the hands of my faithful wife. Some may have, in consequence of the plainness of my garb, failed to appreciate my humble efforts, but the Lord did not; for he abundantly blessed my efforts. Our meeting continued till Thursday night of the third week, when we had to close to answer a call from home. There were near thirty additions. Next morning Bro. Scott said, "The brethren are not going to be satisfied for you to leave without a promise from you that you will return." I said, "Bro Scott, I don't see how I can well make such a promise. It is fifty miles, no public conveyance, and I have nothing to ride." He replied, "I have as fine a saddle horse as there is in Jasper county, that I don't need. Just say that you will give us a part of your time and the horse is yours." That left me without excuse. I went home dressed somewhat like a preacher, and the owner of a fine saddle horse.
I labored most of the time in Jasper and Newton counties, and eastern Kansas for three years and a half. I had, however, to soon give up my saddle horse to meet demands at home, and during that three and a half years I walked, in hot weather, as far as seventy-five miles to get to my appointments. That three years and a half's labor was done at a sacrifice of over three hundred dollars. Between twelve and fifteen years of our life was spent as an isolated worker, chiefly in the destitute parts, covering a territory of about 400 by 150 miles. Yet, by hirelings, who know nothing of sacrifice, toils, privations, cares, persecutions, tears and anxieties, I am called anti-missionary!!
I fear I have consumed more time than I know to the O. R. readers, so with this we close this series.