In my last post I mentioned my start as a rural school teacher right out of high school in 1935. That was right in the heart of the great depression. For teachers, the first requirement was that one must have graduated from high school and passed the state teacher's examination and obtained a certificate to teach. So, in my senior year, I took the required exams for a Third grade certificate. On being told that if I took an exam on extra subjects I could get a second grade certificate, I did that also and got my certificate in short order.

Soon after graduation, I went in search of a school to teach and was accepted at my first application. So at the ripe old age of seventeen, I set out to be an instructor of youth, grades one through eight. The round trip from my home to the school was roughly fifteen miles, and roughly also describes the route, for the roads were of dirt or mud, as the case may be, and there was no bridge over Logan Creek.

Fortunately, I had an offer from a farmer in a neighboring community. He had a young filly that had never been ridden. If I would break the a steed to ride, I could have the use of it for the school term. And so it was. I had two options, go by horseback or by "shank's mare." (by foot) Travel costs were not by miles per gallon, but by oats and hay. And I should tell you, I had extra income in addition to my $50 per month. I was the school janitor also which netted me twelve and a half cents per day. Sounds better as $2.50 per month.

After teaching for two terms I enrolled at the University of Missouri. In the next year I began preaching full time at Fulton, Mo. and kept up this double schedule throughout my time at M.U. When I started preaching many ministers were not paid a salary, but what was called the free-will offering plan. A lot of the time there was a lot more free will than offering. I would like to tell you about one experience I had during our general camp time. I had become slightly acquainted with a brother from another state who was known to be a person of great wealth. He desired a conference with me and drew me aside to a quiet place where no one else would be in on this very serious conference. There he told me of his great interest in young preachers and his desire to help them financially. You can imagine my thoughts! In retrospect, I can relate it to the title of a book by Charles Dickens called "Great Expectations." He very slowly and carefully drew out his bill-fold and extracted a one dollar bill. Thus ended the awful suspense!

In my first pastoral experience we had a good number of conversions. My first baptismal service was on the Auxvasse Creek. The candidates lining the creek bank made an impressive picture. There were ten of them from one family. I had tested the water depth and had picked my spot. In baptizing adults I prefer water about chest deep. It is easier that way. Baptizing the men folk went right well. Baptizing the ladies, and there were several, was a bit different. Two of them were of rather ample proportions and difficult to put clear under. It was of primary importance that we not be crowded into the deep water. It occurred to me that it was somewhat like pushing under an inner tube from a large tractor tire. When you push down one part, another comes up. But with good fortune and good management, all turned out well. It was truly a beautiful and memorable occasion.

Prayer Request:

Pray for the installation services of Delbert Scott as the eleventh President of the KCCBS on March 6th.