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
