DOWNED BUT NOT DEFEATED

The Trunk Full of Books -- The Pockets Pull of Money -- How God Did It

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Micah 7:8, 9.

     When I was a boy I had many scuffles in wrestling. I learned that a boy was not outclassed simply because he was down, for many times he wiggled until he was on top and became the victor. This is a homely illustration, but I have found it often the case in my ministerial life.

     After we went South I desired to attend my annual conference at least once in every two years. But we were so poor that the only way I could make the trip was to take a trunk full of Bibles and books to sell at conference or along the way. On one occasion, after arriving at the seat of conference, I said to the local pastor, "If you have no objections I will stand my trunk in the vestibule of the church." He respected me highly and replied, "By all means, go ahead."

     Then, to be perfectly honorable, I went to the representative of the publishing house, who had two or three large trunks of books and Bibles. He had his stand near the bishop and, of course, had the preference, which was his right. But I wanted his permission as well, and he also replied,

     "Go ahead, Brother S____, I will do a big business here and you are doing a noble work in the South, and we will be glad to see you sell your books."

     I thanked him heartily, but told him I would not advertise any books or Bibles that he had, lest I might appear to be turning opposition. About the second or third day the good bishop came in and found me standing at my trunk, whereupon he remarked,

     "Are you not going a little too fast here, Brother S____?" I begged his pardon and asked what he meant. He told me that the publishing house was being represented and I had no right to encroach upon its rights. I informed hint that I had asked permission of both the pastor and the publishing house representative and they had given their hearty consent. But I was given to understand that this was not sufficient. I must get permission from the conference body as a whole.

     Accordingly, I apologized again and quickly closed my trunk. After the devotional exercises and the reading of the "previous minutes," the presiding officer said, "We are now open for new business." A great and good man arose saying he had a resolution to read.

     "Let's hear it," replied the bishop.

     "Resolved: That, in view of the fact that the publishing house had a representative here, we patronize our own publishing house to the exclusion of all others." Immediately there was a flurry, and one of my special friends arose, asking what this resolution meant. He declared:

     "There is no other publishing house represented here, nor is anyone handling books in opposition. Rut our Brother Shelhamer, who is opening up new work in the South, and is hard pressed financially, brings a few books and Bibles in order to meet his expenses. We are always glad to see him and if this resolution is aimed at him, I protest."

     Now the "fat was in the fire," and a pitched battle ensued, some for, and some against. The good bishop ruled that if one preacher had the right to bring a trunk full of books, they all had. I quickly saw that my case was lost.

     But my special friend argued: "There is no analogy. We all have our circuits and receive our salaries, and at the most we can attend conference for $5.00 or $10.00, but this "pioneer preacher" has gone through all kinds of privations and persecutions to plant our work in the South. It costs him upwards of $50.00 to come and go. We ought to make a special provision for him."

     But the vote was taken and the resolution adopted. The whole thing was amusing. It seemed like stopping a big express train and calling all the train crew out to debate over a gnat that had accidentally gotten on the track. The great question was, "Shall we shoo him off, or run over him?"

     After it was all over I arose and said: "My dear brethren, there was no need of your taking so much precious time relative to my books for I mean to be teachable and show the right spirit. All that was necessary was a mere suggestion and I would have quickly acquiesced." When this sitting adjourned, many came rushing to me saying,

     "You have been greatly wronged."

     "Oh, no!" T replied, "it is perfectly right that they should rule me out."

     "But," said others, "I want some of your books."

     "Oh, no! I must be loyal and subservient."

     What was the result? When I went to dinner, I confess my spirit was crushed, but as I lifted my plate I found $20.00 under it. Later on, when we were breaking up and leaving, many came saying,

     "Good-bye, Brother Shelhamer. I am sorry they did not let you sell your books, but I am glad you showed a sweet spirit amidst it all," and then handed me a bill toward my car fare home.

     It was not long until both pockets were bulging with money, and when I counted it I had between two and three hundred dollars. Besides this, I had a good conscience besides this, the respect of my brethren; besides this, a whole trunk full of books that I sold on the way home, where I held one or two meetings.

     Say, beloved, the worst enemy you have ever had was not a bishop, or a presiding elder, or anyone else, but your own big self. If you can only die out completely and get an experience where all resentment and retaliation are gone, they can put you down, but sooner or later you will come to the top. They can sit on you, and for the time being put you out of shape but, like a rubber ball, when they get up you will get up with them. Yes, there is such a thing as being downed without being defeated.

     Not All Thorns

     "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." Isa. 55:12, 13.