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Teaching and Preaching

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From: Smith, Experiences in Mountain Mission Work ( 1931)
TEACHING AND PREACHING
Miss M.... , who was teaching a summer school at N...., wrote a very encouraging letter
about her work. She asked me to come prepared to stay a week and preach twice each
day. She had made arrangements for conveyance to meet me at the nearest rail- road
station. On the day appointed I reached the station at 2 P. M. and found an ox team
waiting. Already the wagon was filled with bags and boxes, which were consigned to a
lumber camp near my destination. The driver told me to climb up and find a seat. I
obeyed, and the team started. The road was hilly, holey, rocky, alternately sidesloping and
everything else but level. The driver did not have an extra rope to use in tying me with the
rest of the freight for safety! Hastening slowly was our rate of travelling.
By and by I concluded that I would walk awhile, rest myself and help the overburdened
oxen. My speed was faster than the team’s, but the hills were steep and the weather hot,
so I stopped in the shade of the trees and waited till the freight caught up. I climbed up
and took another spell of jolting. This method of on and off continued till the sun was
shedding its farewell rays on the mountain peaks around us; just then I reached the home
assigned me for the night. I do not know how many miles I travelled that long afternoon
walking, riding forward and backward, up and down, and alternately sidewise. Anyway I
had enough for the one day.
I found the teacher, a guest in that home, waiting for me. She and the family gave me a
hearty welcome, which was supplemented by a partial bath and a good supper. They gave
me the best that could be found in that community. I was grateful for every courtesy and
thankful for the privilege of being there to help that self- sacrificing woman in her work.
She had made a schedule fixing the time for preaching services, for school work, for
visiting from home to home on special missions.
A large congregation was present at the first service. Doubtless many came through
curiosity for they had never seen a Presbyterian preacher before that eventful day. Even at
the beginning we could see there was a deep spiritual interest, due in a great measure to
the preparatory work of the teacher. From time to time there were conversions expressed
quietly which was a new kind of protracted meeting. Most of the congregation had no
confidence in a profession of that kind. They believed that the sinner had to be under deep
conviction and agony of soul for hours before there could be a change of heart. The
greater the agony and the longer the time gave better results, they thought.
A number of messages came asking that I preach a sermon on the doctrines of the
Presbyterian Church. I tried to evade the subject during a meeting of this kind, but the
pressure was so great I had to submit. I had reason to believe that some local preachers,
who were attending the services, were responsible for the requests. The appointment was
well advertised and a large congregation assembled. Five preachers were present and I
invited them to take a front seat.

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Title	Teaching and Preaching
Author	Smith, R.P.
Description	Describes the author's experiences as a visiting preacher to a mountain community, in which he introduces the congregation to Presbyterian doctrine.
Subject	Missions
Date	2013-05-21
Holding Library	Lees McRae College
Identifier	lm00005*
Relation	Chapter of Experiences in Mountain Mission Work
Transcript	From: Smith, Experiences in Mountain Mission Work ( 1931) TEACHING AND PREACHING Miss M.... , who was teaching a summer school at N...., wrote a very encouraging letter about her work. She asked me to come prepared to stay a week and preach twice each day. She had made arrangements for conveyance to meet me at the nearest rail- road station. On the day appointed I reached the station at 2 P. M. and found an ox team waiting. Already the wagon was filled with bags and boxes, which were consigned to a lumber camp near my destination. The driver told me to climb up and find a seat. I obeyed, and the team started. The road was hilly, holey, rocky, alternately sidesloping and everything else but level. The driver did not have an extra rope to use in tying me with the rest of the freight for safety! Hastening slowly was our rate of travelling. By and by I concluded that I would walk awhile, rest myself and help the overburdened oxen. My speed was faster than the team’s, but the hills were steep and the weather hot, so I stopped in the shade of the trees and waited till the freight caught up. I climbed up and took another spell of jolting. This method of on and off continued till the sun was shedding its farewell rays on the mountain peaks around us; just then I reached the home assigned me for the night. I do not know how many miles I travelled that long afternoon walking, riding forward and backward, up and down, and alternately sidewise. Anyway I had enough for the one day. I found the teacher, a guest in that home, waiting for me. She and the family gave me a hearty welcome, which was supplemented by a partial bath and a good supper. They gave me the best that could be found in that community. I was grateful for every courtesy and thankful for the privilege of being there to help that self- sacrificing woman in her work. She had made a schedule fixing the time for preaching services, for school work, for visiting from home to home on special missions. A large congregation was present at the first service. Doubtless many came through curiosity for they had never seen a Presbyterian preacher before that eventful day. Even at the beginning we could see there was a deep spiritual interest, due in a great measure to the preparatory work of the teacher. From time to time there were conversions expressed quietly which was a new kind of protracted meeting. Most of the congregation had no confidence in a profession of that kind. They believed that the sinner had to be under deep conviction and agony of soul for hours before there could be a change of heart. The greater the agony and the longer the time gave better results, they thought. A number of messages came asking that I preach a sermon on the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. I tried to evade the subject during a meeting of this kind, but the pressure was so great I had to submit. I had reason to believe that some local preachers, who were attending the services, were responsible for the requests. The appointment was well advertised and a large congregation assembled. Five preachers were present and I invited them to take a front seat. First, I discussed the lost helpless sinner and God’s plan provided to save him. As I made a point, I quoted the scripture for proof, then called on the preachers to know if they agreed with my statements and they readily gave their assent to everyone. I told them that these are the doctrines that Presbyterians believe and preach; that we stand with the other Protestant denominations of this country in all matters essential to salvation. Second, I told them that the denominations do not agree on all matter of church government, forms of worship and the sacraments, but that none of these is essential for salvation. I explained the different forms of church government, but spent more time urging Christians to show the excellence of their faith by living Godly lives daily. That the school children might understand the meaning of the word essential, which had been used several times, I gave an illustration. I told them that to keep our bodies warm in very cold weather we must wear thick, heavy clothing, but it is not essential, or necessary, that it be of any particular color. One boy could have a black coat, another could have a brown, and still another a gray, and all of the same material. The kind of material is the essential, the color is the unessential. At the close of the service the preachers came forward and gave me the right hand of fellowship, and many others of the congregation did likewise. An elderly man invited me to his home for dinner, saying he had become powerfully interested in the colors of the coats and wanted to ask me some questions about them. I accepted the invitation and spent several hours with him and his large family. The time was spent in answering questions about the essentials and the non- essentials of church doctrines. Finally, the good brother said it was a great pity that he and his neighbors had lost so much valuable time on the colors of their coats instead of getting the right kind of material. Incidentally this visit gave me an opportunity to correct some false rumors, current in the community about the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Strange to relate, wherever we started a day school, and a Sunday School, these false reports started also. Some of them were that Presbyterians believe in infant damnation, that change of heart is not necessary for salvation-- that book learning takes the place of it. I denied these statements when asked about them and refrained from discussing such rumors, being unworthy of serious attention. At the next service of the day, I was much surprised to hear that the special sermon had created deep interest throughout the community, which continued till the close of the meeting. I had more calls for extra services than I could meet. The congregation wanted me to continue ten days more, but the strain was too much with other duties waiting on me. The results of the meeting were gratifying. I was pleased to see the excellent work that the teacher was doing with the school children and their parents. She spent Saturdays and portions of the afternoons visiting the sick, the sorrowing, and the aged. One of her patrons loaned her a horse and money to pay me for the services that I had given them. He said: “ If I would go to every family in this cove and get every cent of cash money that they have, I do not think it would amount to ten dollars. Many of these families do not handle as much as ten dollars in a whole year, most of our business is done by bartering.” Judging by what I saw I could readily believe that this statement was absolutely true. I explained to the congregation that I appreciated their good intentions, but did not expect pay for my services. However, I thought it would not be wise on my part nor just to the people to let their good intentions perish, so I proceeded to explain what the Bible teaches about giving, how it is a part of worship and praise. Then I suggested that they give a part of the crops from their little farms at gathering time to help support homeless orphan children. The plan was gladly accepted, and three months later generous supplies of fruits and vegetables were sent to the children. Thanksgiving was at hand and there were manifestations of great joy up and down the Creek; perhaps no one else among the people of that community was so full of happiness as Miss V.... , who had sacrificed so much for the upbuilding of that work. It is a real pleasure to preach to people who are hungry for the Gospel. This was our experience at.... Fork where we conducted services for ten days. Notice of our visit had been well extended and the people were ready. The little schoolhouse, located at the most central point in the community, was too small to ac- commodate the congregation of men, women and children. Apparently the entire population within reasonable distance had come, representing ages from three months to eighty years. Logs, slabs and rails were placed in the shade of the nearby trees. These improvised pews were apparently a very rough substitute, but the occupants gave no evidence of being uncomfortable. They had come to hear the Gospel and were too intent to think about bodily comforts. Most of the congregation came afoot, but a few had the privilege of riding horseback. Occasionally we would see a mother riding and holding an infant in her arms, while one or two children rode behind her on the gentle old nag, whose equipment was a bridle, a surcingle and a bed quilt. The father walked in front carrying a child and picking a safe path for the horse to follow. Notice was given for daily services, one at 10 A. M., the other at what was called “ dusky dark,” which proved to be a time with lengthy limitations. Promptness is not an outstanding characteristic of our mountain people. A few dim lanterns were hanging about contending with the oncoming darkness. This picturesque scene was quite interesting to a novice, waiting for the appointed time to begin services. Without permission or notice the children, and they were not a few, took possession of the program with their fretting and crying. This was a new experience for me. The situation was tense, something had to be done for relief. My voice could not compete with the bedlam that was broadcasting. I shouted to the congregation to join me in singing an old familiar hymn. The response was generous and two or three of the old songs lulled the children to sleep. It was indeed an inspiration to look on the faces of those tired mothers, who were making such strenous efforts to have the privilege of hearing a sermon. All gave such close attention, it was hard for me to find a stopping point. At the close of the services the happy mothers came forward and thanked me for letting them remain. I shared the joy with them and told them to come to every service and bring their children. They came and every evening at “ dusky dark” the children took up their part of the program, and the rest of the congregation responded promptly with good results. After the closing of the evening services, a picture was made that remains with me. Gleams of light from lanterns and torches were seen moving in all directions lighting up the rough roads and paths leading to the homes of the people. Their cabins were plain, but their hospitality was generous. I showed my appreciation by making myself one of them as far as possible. To keep their minds on the series of services I talked freely on moral and religious subjects, read and expounded the Scriptures. Soon it was noised abroad that the preacher knew all about the Bible and could explain any of it. It is needless to say they were much mistaken. However, it gave me an excellent opportunity to teach them how to be saved and to live a Christian life. I had more invitations to their homes than I could accept, would take dinner at one place, supper at another, bed and breakfast at still another. This gave me close personal touch with the timid, the indifferent, the outcast. In this way one learns to be more charitable and more sympathetic for the wayward. It enables one to appreciate in some measure the spirit of Christ when He stopped down and wrote with His finger on the ground; also, when He saw much people following Him He had compassion on them because they were scattered abroad as sheep not having a shepherd. It was a joy to serve these people and be instrumental in leading a goodly number of them to confess and accept Christ. These services and others following resulted in our organizing a church in that community. A beautiful church building with comfortable pews welcomes the worshipers. The lanterns and the torches are no more. The crying babies are now happy men and women, who begin the program every Sabbath by singing: “ Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” One afternoon I received a telegram stating that Miss B..., one of our teachers at R.... , was seriously ill, and asking that I come immediately with a physician. I hastened to the office of Dr. B.... and asked him for his services in this serious case. To ask a busy specialist to close his office for three days and go on that mission was, at least, an unusual request. After some inquiry as to distance, conveyance and time, he said: “ I will go, the train is due to leave in two hours- meet me at the station.” A tire- some journey of six hours brought us to A... at 10 P. M. We had fifteen miles to travel by private conveyance before reaching our destination. The trip could not be made in the darkness on a precipitous road meandering across a range of high mountains. Early next morning we were on the way being drawn by the best livery team that we could find. Four hours of good driving brought us to R. Dr. B.... went immediately to Miss B.... ‘ s room and made a thorough examination of her trouble, then told me privately that she had once chance in fifty to live by an operation, but without one she would die within a few days. He requested me to give her the facts and let her decide what he should do. I tried to be brave and cheerful in delivering the message. After a moment or two of absolute silence like unto death itself, she whispered: “ Tell him I will take the one chance.” I asked if she had any messages to leave with me and she said: “ I do not fear death, I am prepared to go if it is God’s will; if I die, bury me here where the people have been so kind to me.” Then asking for a sealed letter on her table she said: “ Take this; if I die, open and it will tell you what to do.” No time was lost in preparing the little kitchen in the cottage as an operating room. The dining table, set apart to be the operating table, was tested as to its stability and thoroughly scalded with boiling water. In like manner all the vessels and instruments were given sanitary treatment. In the midst of this preparation, the local physician, who was to assist Dr. B.... in adminstering the anaesthetic, went out for some material, got into a quarrel, was knocked down, and was so seriously wounded that he could not assist in the operation. Trouble added to trouble- we wondered what next! By and by a substitute was found and the patient was put on the table. We watched every movement with intense inter- est, prayed for wisdom and skill to direct and for strength to endure. In due time Miss B.... became conscious and her symptoms were favorable for recovery. The good news spread rapidly over the community and there was great rejoicing. We employed a trained nurse to take charge of the patient, it being necessary for her to have very careful attention. She improved gradually for three weeks, but needing some special treatment it was deemed wise to take her to a hospital. Not being strong enough to ride in a vehicle over the rough roads, eight stout men agreed to carry her on a mattress to the railroad station, a distance of fifteen miles. Four men, each holding a corner of the cot, walked carefully along till they became tired, then the other four would take the load. On reaching the station the men would not accept any pay for their services, feeling that the self- sacrificing teacher had given their community more than they could return in labor for her comfort. Miss B... - and her nurse were placed in a baggage car and a ride of six hours took them to Asheville, where a room in a hospital was awaiting them. The special treatment of two weeks put Miss B... on her feet again. Just then the hospitality of a home was offered, which she accepted, and remained several weeks recuperating. With regained strength this consecrated woman heard the call urging her to return to service. Contrary to the advice of friends she answered the call, went to work again, saying that she could not stand by patiently while so many were needing help. Month by month and year by hear the people became more and more interested in the cause of education, because they saw the good influences that that the teachers were exerting over adults as well as the children. The patrons, even in their poverty, agreed to levy taxes on themselves for the purpose of erecting buildings and maintaining longer sessions. Also, the state became more liberal in its appropriations for helping public schools. When a community reached this stage of progress, we would withdraw in favor of the state, and commence work at some neglected place, still waiting for a teacher. The state followed on till we, along with other denominational schools, had practically covered the territory. As the state took charge of the schools the patrons requested the local school boards to retain our teachers. The requests were granted and many of them remained and became leaders in making better citizens and happier homes. The schools gradually grew into centers of recreation and social life. Sunday Schools were maintained and were well attended by men, women and children. The minister of the Gospel found these people prepared to receive his messages. The little log schoolhouse is fast passing away, but the good work done by these consecrated women will live forever.
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