would
be the means of bringing the people together. Accordingly he went to
work to organize an association that would take into its arms all the
feeble communities or churches that had no pastor. In due time all
arrangements were perfected, and a call issued for the neighboring
churches to send their pastor and two delegates to sit in council with
the Salem Baptist Church on Wood River, to consider the propriety of
calling into existence such an organization. After the usual
preliminary services, Rev. D. W. Anderson stated the object of the
meeting, and urged the immediate action of the council in the matter.
After the usual amount of debate incident to such an occasion, the
proper steps were taken for the organization of an association to be
called the "_Wood River Baptist Association_," with Rev. Duke W.
Anderson as its first Moderator, to meet on Wood River annually. What
a triumph! that day was the proudest of his life! He had spoken to
the poor disheartened Baptists for fifty miles around, who were cold
and indifferent to the Master's cause: "Awake! and stand upon your
feet! Come with me to help the Lord against the mighty! Let us
organize for the conflict. There is much to do; so, let us be about
our Master's work." The call sent forth breathed new life into the
people, and was the signal for united effort in the cause of the Lord.

It was not enough that an association was formed, it was not enough
that a few churches were represented in that association; but it must
do definite work. It must organize where organization was needed; it
must send out missionaries into the destitute places, and give the
Gospel to the poor. Thus Anderson reasoned; and the association heard
him. Gradually the Wood River Association grew and extended its
workings throughout the entire State of Illinois.

It was evident that the associational gatherings were growing so large
that it was impossible to accommodate them. He advised the people to
build quarters sufficient to accommodate all. Accordingly two or three
rows of small houses were erected for the people to live in each year
during the time the association was in session. People now came yearly
from every part of the State. The great distances did not detain them.
Like the Jews who returned to Jerusalem every year to attend the
feast, they were glad when the time came to rest from their accustomed
duties and journey toward Wood River. It was a delightful gathering.
Brother minis