o as to divide the land into two equal parts? I have
never been able to solve this problem, nor could the surveyor I had
employed, but two of my boys, before they were as old as I was when I
wanted to solve it, solved it. So you see each generation becomes
wiser than the preceding one. This is well, provided the wisdom is
such as to direct all knowledge into the ways of righteousness.

I had to quit school before I had finished all my studies, but had it
not been for the war which came in 1861, I perhaps would have been a
graduate of Bethany, Vir. University. For the good, rich brethren of
the country in which I commenced to preach had a habit of helping
young men to an education, who were called to preach, and who bode to
be a success. But the war coming on, spoiled all these plans for me.
But I will not express regrets for who would dare to complain when he
has placed himself to be lead by the hand of the Almighty. As it is
it may be far better than it might have been.

It was decided that I ought to be set apart to the work of an
Evangelist (preacher) in the church of God, and on the 6th day of Aug.
1861, during a district meeting of churches at Lindley, Grundy County
Missouri, I was ordained to the Christian ministry, by the laying on
hands, fasting and prayer. Brethren John R. Howard, David T. Wright,
Benjamin F. Smith, D. W. Stewart, and R. M. Sharp participating.

My first convert was a slave woman, who, hearing me preach, believed
and was baptized. She was accepted of God, for before him a poor
slave woman at her master's feet is as precious in his sight as the
queen on her throne. God is no respecter of persons.

My first funeral was on the occasion of the death of a dear little
child, only a few months old, the first born of young parents. But
the sermon was easy, for has not the Saviour said, "Of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven."

My first wedding was when, after I had finished a term of school, one
of my school boys, a young man, came to me and said he wanted me to
marry him to one of my school girls, a young lady. I said, all right
I will do that. The arrangements were made. Afterwards I got to
thinking about it, I did not know how it was done. I had been to but
very few weddings in my life, and I had not noticed particularly how
it was done. So, I went to an old preacher who, I knew, had married
many people, and asked him how it was done. He said it was easy,
just get the parties togethe