religious circles. The two by four lights were bestirring themselves to corral their flocks and guard them against the wolf. Isaac Standlee lived in the northern part of Carrol county, and was justly considered the big preacher of that country. He began to conclude that it behooved him to look after his laurels. He began to challenge for debate, and the smaller lights in the Baptist ranks --------------- threaten us with "Uncle Ike."
Oat harvest being on hand we went to Bro. Parker's on Monday to assist him in his oat harvest. At noon Sister Parker told me of an elderly woman in that neighborhood that had been a mourner for several years, but had failed to get religion, and said she was at the mourner's bench the day before, that her people were all Baptists and that she was so prejudiced she would not listen to any of the disciples talk. I remarked, "I sympathize with such, and I will go there this evening and spend the night, if they will let me."
When I reached the house the woman kindly invited me in, informing me that the man of the house had gone on an errand but would return soon. I told her that I was tired and warm, so would take a chair and sit in the yard till her man returned. As soon as I was seated she brought a chair for herself and said, "I understand that you folks deny a change of heart. There is something strange in this to me, for I see so many get religion without much trouble, but I have been trying for several years to get it and have failed." I said, "You have been imposed upon, madam, and I sympathize with you, but you get your work done and I will talk a while on these matters." All being in readiness to listen I read the New Testament, and talked of the obedience of faith for about three hours. When I closed the old lady said, "I did not know that was in the Bible." She left the room with more amazement than delight. When I went to leave next morning I told them that I would preach the next Lord's day a week at Bro. Parkers, and had them promise to hear me.
The next Lord's day I went to Berryville to fill my first appointment there. As Sister Owens, my mother's associate, had predicted, everybody was on hand, with anxiety, to hear the new preacher and strange doctrine. Saturday night I took for my subject "The Kingdom of Christ." The effort was a failure, but fortunately, or rather, perhaps, unfortunately, the people did not know enough about the Bible to detect it. Lord's day at eleven o'clock the whole country gathered to hear me. I took as a foundation the question, "What is Man?" The attention was profound. My talk was not of an exciting nature, but I was at myself and deeply in earnest. When I closed and a song was commenced an elderly woman began to shout, and I concluded that she could equal any one at that business I ever heard. I went to Sister Owens' for dinner, and that woman was there. Sister Owens introduced us and said, "Sister Wood lives in the country. She had heard the gospel all her life, but has lived here ten years without the privilege of hearing a sermon, and when she heard the old time gospel again she shouted because she could not help it."
The next Lord's day we filled our appointment at Bro. Parker's.
