CHAPTER IX.
Doctor's Meeting at Springfield.—Osceola.—The Man who Joined Dr. Hopson.—Calhoun, Henry County.—Georgetown, Pettit County.—Cholera.—Confession and Baptism of Fourteen Young Ladies.
From Miller county we went to Springfield, where the Doctor preached ten days. Some of the time it was estimated that 2,000 people were in attendance. It was the first of August; the weather was oppressive. A large arbor was built back of the church, and the window taken out, so that the people could hear outside the house. Long before the time for preaching, the house would be crowded, even the pulpit steps full. One day we were a little behind the rest, and I could not find a seat anywhere but in the pulpit with Bro. Bills, Father Hayden, and two or three others. It happened to be a tall affair, and hid me effectually from the people in front, and I tried to make myself as small as possible. I had said to the Doctor often that the church at Fayette called me as State Evangelist first (as he was absent when it was done, and I had to notify him), and that I was entitled to half the pay. When the time came for opening the meeting, instead of asking Bros. Bills or Hayden to open for him, he turned 'round and asked me. You may imagine my confusion and the intense amusement of the brethren. He had to open his own meeting that day. When asked for an explanation, he said if I had half pay I must do half the work, and he thought I might as
[book page] 50
well begin then as any time. I never said more about dividing salary.
Mrs. John S. Phelps, in writing of the meeting, says: "Dr. Hopson, who has been holding a meeting in Springfield, is now holding a like meeting in Osceola. In him meet all the characteristics of a gentleman and virtues of a Christian. All who listen attentively to the glorious truths of the gospel taught by him, are made better morally, spiritually and intellectually."
The secular press, in speaking of the meeting, says: "Dr. Hopson has been addressing our community daily on the subject of Christianity since Saturday, and will continue his discourses another week. He is a logician and finished speaker. Aside from all doctrinal considerations, his addresses are highly intellectual, chaste, and richly stored with sacred literature. Our highest enjoyments are those flowing from intellectual exercises, and our citizens have been partaking of a `feast of reason' during the Doctor's sojourn with us."
The meeting closed with thirty-five additions. The last week of the meeting, preaching was held under an arbor in the park.
After leaving Springfield we visited Osceola, passing through Bolivar. Half-way between the two places the Doctor had an appointment at a log school-house. When we arrived, some twenty persons had assembled to hear preaching. Most of them were barefooted and some bareheaded. He preached to them on the "Things by Which We are Saved." At the conclusion he gave an invitation, and a man came up and made the confession. Dr. Hopson talked to him a few minutes, until he found that he understood the plan of salvation. The nearest water was a mile further on our road. The whole audi-
[book page] 51
ence followed our buggy to the creek. The man had no preparation to make, as he was dressed to suit the occasion; pants, a shirt and straw hat was his wardrobe, as he was barefooted. The Doctor had an extra pair of pants in the satchel, and, making a hasty toilet in the woods, he was soon ready, and baptized the man, who went on his way rejoicing. The Doctor never expected to hear of him again, but Bro. T. M. Allen was preaching somewhere on the south side, when this man came up to take membership, upon Bro. Allen's invitation. On questioning him, he said he did not know what church he belonged to, but that he joined Dr. Hopson, and that he preached just like him. He had his certificate of baptism the Doctor had given him at the time.
On our arrival at Osceola we were made welcome at the home of Bro. E. C. Davis and his most excellent and lovely family. While the town could boast of a great deal of intellectuality, it was rather proud of its infidelity, that is, among some of its leading men, especially among the young men. Dr. Hopson soon found he had to preach much on the evidences of Christianity before he could touch the hearts of these people. This he made the objective point in all his discourses. He made many warm friends among men of the world, who gave him a patient, candid hearing and went to studying their Bibles. Seven confessions were the result of the meeting, and it was considered quite a triumph for the cause. I copy the following from the town paper:
"Protracted Meeting.-Dr. Winthrop H. Hopson, State Evangelist of the Christian Church, closed an interesting meeting last Monday, resulting in seven additions to the church. Through twenty-two discourses, Dr. H. had the attention of a large audience, who were enchained by his eloquence, instructed by his biblical research, and delighted with his rich illustrations from
[book page] 52
sacred literature. Few speakers possess the faculty, in such a high degree, of gaining the undivided attention of a community.
"Pending the meeting, the church at Osceola was duly organized, and constituted a church after the primitive order-E. C. Davis, Elder, and Harlan Hays, Deacon, to the congregation."
Our next stopping-place was Calhoun, Henry county. Dr. Hopson had an uncle, Dr. Logan Clark, living there, who he was anxious to visit. We spent a week with him, the Doctor preaching at night and resting in the day. I think he had several additions, but do not remember the number.
His next appointment was at Georgetown, Pettis county, four miles from where Sedalia now stands. It was a delightful little village, filled with most excellent people. Here we met that good man, Bro. Allen Wright. He was an old friend of Dr. Hopson's. He called on us at once, and brought with him a bottle of cholera medicine and insisted the Doctor should keep it by him. He sad a number (I think, sixteen) of deaths had occurred from the disease a few weeks before, and we might be liable to it. The Doctor took the bottle with thanks and I put it in my trunk, little thinking it would perhaps save my life.
I was fatigued and not feeling very well, and did not go to church that night. When the Doctor returned I was still more indisposed, but did not let him know it. He went to sleep, worn out with his day's work. By one o'clock I was very ill, unable to raise my head. I woke him, and he said at once it was cholera I was suffering from. He got the medicine Bro. Wright gave him, and poured it down my throat every hour until circulation was restored and I was saved, but was quite ill for a week and did not fully recover for months.
[book page] 53
His meeting here was a very interesting one. A singular feature was the confession of fourteen young ladies, nearly the same age. Ten of them came up at the same time, and the four other at the next meeting. They went into the water together, and were all dressed in black silk. It was a strange fancy, but they arranged the matter among themselves and all acquiesced. Before they went down into the water the Doctor called me to him, and told me that while he was talking to the crowd assembled to witness the baptism, the friends of the young ladies should rip the seams of their dress skirts near the waist, so as to let the air rise up from under the skirts, for he could never make them sink unless they did. They were very grateful, and in a few minutes were ready. It was a beautiful sight when they went into the water with their arms around each other, and all remained till all were immersed.
[book page] 54
