hristians. So I concluded I would
continue to do the same thing in Effingham. Please note that I never
use the name disciple or Christian in any sectarian sense. Well, I
had not been here long until I found Christians who invited me to
preach in their meeting houses when not occupied by themselves.
Notably among them were Uncle Ben Wallack, of the Lutheran church,
and William Reece of the South M. E. Church.

Few, if any disciples in the movement for unity, had ever preached in
Effingham. I had been called several times to the town to preach
funerals, but that was all. So I commenced preaching in the Mr. E.
Church South on Sundays and having preached a few times, I requested
that at our next meeting all disciples or Christians, (I use these
names as synonyms) who were not members of any congregation, to
remain after the sermon. This they did, and I addressed them in the
substance as follows: "Beloved disciples of Christ, for such your
action proves you to be, my purpose in requesting you to remain today
is to get better acquainted with you, and possibly organize ourselves
into a church of Christ. In order to further carry out these
purposes, I will, by you permission ask each a direct question and
take your names, thus enrolling you as members of a church of Christ
in Effingham. So I took paper and pencil in hand and asked each one
the same question, viz: "Are you a Christian?" and took the name of
each. The answer of each one to the question was simply "yes."
except one lady who said, "Yes, in the Baptist church." I said, "All
right, let me take your name and since there is no Baptist Church in
Effingham, you go along with us, without the Baptist name." She
consented, and she is to this day a member in good standing and full
fellowship and nearly all her children have become Christians too.

There was enrolled 32 names that day, and this was the beginning of
the Christian church in Effingham.

From this number myself, Henry Shell, Sr., and J. W. Jones were
elected Elders and brethren J. W. Wilson, J. M. Shell and C. M.
Gregory were elected Deacons. This was in the month of May, 1895. I
preached on for sometime, but the infirmities of the flesh and old
age creeping upon me I had to give up preaching. So for about 12 or
15 years I have preached but little. Indeed for many years before I
quit preaching I preached under a great weakness of the flesh.

In the meantime the observance of the Lord's Supper w