WHAT I MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Farmer -- Mill-man -- Merchant -- Doctor -- School-man -- Churchman -- Soul-winner

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was (I trust) not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:10.

     As I stand on my sixtieth milestone (December 16, 1929), and look back, I can see what I might have been. First, I might have been a FARMER. Some of my schoolmates married early, settled down and became farmers. It is an honorable avocation, but I am glad God planned something different for me. That radical conversion at the age of sixteen came just in time to keep me from being sidetracked.

     Second, a MILL-MAN! It looked big to a poor country boy to go to town and, after a few years of application, make from $5.00 to $20.00 a day in the iron mill; but God in mercy did not let me do this.

     Third, a MERCHANT! A few of my friends started, in a small way, to keep store, or a post office. This, of course, was looked upon as being a little better than farming or sweltering in an iron mill. They made a good living, but the world has never heard of them.

     Fourth, a DOCTOR! This was my highest ambition to ride around or have people come to me and let me feel their pulses, look at their tongues and charge them from $2.50 to $5.00. I think perhaps I might have succeeded fairly well, especially in sawing off limbs, cutting out cancers and killing: my full share.

     Fifth, a SCHOOL-MAN! Had I applied myself as some of my colleagues did, I might have been a professor in an institution. What an elevation! In fact, when I left dear old Wheaton College it was intimated that I remain and teach. Thank God I escaped!

     Sixth, a CHURCH-MAN! Several of the younger preachers back there committed to memory much of "Roberts' Rules of Order," and took special delight in debating on the Conference floor about "Amendments," and "Substitutes to the Amendments." I was not good at it, and was never recognized as a "Floor Leader," or a "Parliamentarian."

     Later, after serving as District Elder a number of years, I voluntarily resigned, feeling that there was something bigger and better-that of SOUL-WINNING. Many District Elders are wonderful revivalists, thank God, but the tendency is to become mechanical and be content to go the rounds of holding little quarterly meetings. I wrote one of my special friends after his election and instead of saying "D. E." I wrote "D. M. G." He wanted to know what the new title meant, whereupon I informed him that he was now exalted to the honorable position of "District-Machinery-Greaser." It was his business now to go about and keep the machinery of the church from squeaking. True, we must have a certain amount of machinery, and God bless the faithful officials, but somehow I never did take to it. I got tired of being on "Committees" and "Boards," until I felt I was well-nigh "bored" through.

     We find in Paul's order of men (1 Cor. 12:28) that he places them thus: "First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, adversities of tongues." So, you see, one who is a church dignitary and is able to quote page and paragraph of the discipline, Paul, under inspiration, places in class number SEVEN. And should he insist on speaking in tongues he takes lowest place and is labeled number EIGHT. A possibility of not using the strong arm of faith enough. Hence, limiting God's willingness and ability to finish what He takes in hand. While we are anxious to see a soul get the victory on the spot, yet if he is nowhere near the end of himself, is it not better to hold him to the point of submission rather than have a spiritual abortion? Like a young chick, the seeker who does not peck his own way out, at the best will be only a weakling. He who has to have others help him pray through will have to be prayed through again, or, to say the least, will always need help, instead of being able to help others.