CHAPTER V

LABORS IN VARIOUS PLACES DURING THE WINTER OF 1879- 80

The winter of 1879-80 I held meetings in a schoolhouse about four miles northwest of Blue Earth City. After my meetings closed a Free-Will Baptist minister, Hardy by name, announced to speak on the Sabbath question. I announced that after the meeting was over I would speak the same evening on the same subject. I went early, and took a chair with me. When I arrived, I could scarcely find room to place my chair, and before meeting began the house was literally packed. The people clambered upon desks and everywhere they could get. It was so packed about the door it was nearly impossible to get in or out, while others stood outside, and still others went home.

Elder Hardy went through the usual program of making light of our people and work, but brought little proof for Sunday. After his sermon, I arose, and he motioned with his hand, and said, "sit down, sir, sit down."

I said, "Brother Hardy, may I have the privilege of making an announcement?"

"Oh, yes, " he said. "After Brother Hardy has dismissed his meeting, I will immediately speak on the other side of this question, and extend to him a cordial invitation to remain, and all others who are not afraid to look at both sides of a subject. All who are afraid to, of course, are excused." Brother Hardy, his deacon, and a very few others left, but as they crowded out, others crowded in. My old class leader of former years started to go, but as he saw so few going he returned again. One lady who went out spoke so loudly as to seriously interrupt the services inside. I knew her voice, and cried out loud enough for her to hear; "That's a Methodist lady that is making that great racket outside." she soon left, and we had quiet.

Everybody listened with great attention until I was through. Then Mr. Wynne wanted to know how it could be that the Lord heard his prayers, if he were not right in keeping Sunday. We replied something as follows: