,collections1 ,univ]sity ,libr>ies1     
,ball ,/ate ,univ]sity & ! ,onl9e       
,di/ribut$ ,pro(read+ ,team at          
http3_/_/www4pgdp4net            ,jno4  
#c3af4          ,jno4 #c3af4            
,,our       ,mission>y ,read+ ,circle4  
,,%ort ,,c\rse ,,( ,,mission>y   ,,read+
 ,,= ,,common ,,p   ,,"y ,,& ,,old4     
,:at is said ( x by _m3          ,x w be
 v b5eficial1          ,i w\ld he>tily  
recomm5d x1          ,i am glad my      
*ildr5 are tak+ x up1          ,i       
consid] ! books fir/ class1             
,x's j :at ,i've be5 look+ =1           
,c safely recomm5d ! books to all1      
,i wi% y ,god-spe$1          ,! idea is 
a good "o4      ,= books1 address !     
,libr>ian1      ,= plan & me?ods1       
address ,secret>y4    ,,jas4 ,m4 ,,neff1
 ,lib41      ,,edi? ,r4 ,,newcom]1      
,sec41   ,cov+ton1 ,ohio4               
,waynesboro1 ,pa4       ,,*>lie         
,,newcom]    ,,by   ,,wilbur ,b4 ,,/ov] 
,,jas4 ,m4 ,,neff1 ,,publi%]            
,,libr>ian ,,( ,,our ,,mission>y ,,read+

 ,,circle   ,,cov+ton1 ,,ohio   #ahid   
,,preface4   ,i knew ,*>lie ,newcom]1 & 
,i lov$ him4 ,to me he seem$ to h a     
bright future4 ,& t o!r *ildr5 may be l$
 to take 8 good example 9 unit+ ) ! *ur*
 :ile !y are yet *ildr51 ,i take        
pleasure 9 tell+ ! /ory ( 8 life4 ,i h  
told t /ory (t5 f ! pulpit1 9 *ildr5's  
meet+s1 & ,i tell x n[1 9 ?is way t a   
l>g] congregation may be rea*$4  ,9 !   
home ( ,*>lie & ,bessie's p>5ts at      
,r+gold1 ,i wrote e ^w ( ?is sket*4 ,x  
is ) consid]able hesitancy1 too1 t !    
p>5ts all[ ! facts to be told1 s9ce x   
ent]s "r into _! home life1 & s9ce "s   
might misjudge _! int5tion conc]n+ _!   
*ildr54  ,may 8 he>t's desire n[ be     
realiz$--to be a mission>y4    ,w4 ,b4  
,s4    ,edgemont1 ,md41 ,feb4 #b1 #ahid4
     ,,*>lie ,,newcom]     ,,*apt] ,i4  
,,at ,,! ,,r+gold ,,s*ool4   ,hurry up  
,*>lie1 = z soon z we get our d9n] ov]1 
we want to play base-ball1 & y're on our
 side1 y "k1 call$ "o ( ! s*ol>s ( !    
,r+gold s*ool to ,*>lie ,newcom]1 z he 0

 go+ home at noon = 8 d9n]4 ,*>lie's    
home 0 only a few rods f ! s*ool h\se1 &
 on ! same side ( ! road4  ,all "r1     
boys1 ,i w1 he answ]$ 9 return1 & 9 a   
m9ute m he 0 home4  ,d9n] 0 n ready :5  
he rea*$ home1 = 8 mamma _h be5 putt+   
out h] wa%+ t =5oon4 ,s he br\ght ! wat]
 & !n w5t to ! cell> = ! bread & butt]  
:ile 8 mamma made ! gravy1 & d9n] 0 soon
 on ! table4 ,:ile !y 7 eat+1 ,*>lie    
said1 ,d y ?9k1 mamma1 ,i c get up head 
?is aft]noon8 ,i've /udi$ my lessons v  
well4  ,i don't "k1 inde$1 said 8 mamma1
 y _c unless "s "o above y %\ld make a  
mi/ake1 & ! o!r s*ol>s are z anxi\s to  
/& well z y are4  ,!y're awful h>d      
lessons1 & surely "s "o w miss1 & ,i'm j
 wait+ = a *ance l t4 ,y "k ,i hate to  
be foot1 he cont9u$1 & if ,i hadn't 'a' 
miss$ t day ?ree weeks ago1 ,i w\ld h   
be5 head n[4  ,he _h f9i%$ 8 d9n] be=e 8
 "m & little si/]1 & 0 (f to s*ool :ile 
!y 7 yet at ! table4  ,! boys 9 ! play  
gr\nd _h *ang$ _! m9ds ab\t play+       
base-ball1 f ! fact t "s want$ to beg9  

play+ "r away1 :ile o!rs want$ to wait =
 ! return ( ^? :o _h gone home = d9n]4  
,"s want$ to *oose new sides1 & o!rs    
want$ to rema9 z !y _h be5 ! day be=e2 &
 yet o!rs1 z !y said1 didn't want to    
play anyh[1 & 9 ! mid/ ( s _m voices1 !y
 all w5t to play+ ,drop ! h&k]*ief1     
girls & boys toge!r4 ,*>lie 0 especially
 fond ( play+ ,drop ! h&k]*ief1 & :5 he 
saw x 0 t game in/ead ( ball1 x did n   
take long until he 0 at x ) all 8 might4
 ,add+ 8 k]*ief to ^? already afloat1 he
 ran ar\nd ! l>ge circle nev] fa/]4     
,gr[n up p sometimes wond] h[ x is t    
*ildr5 are will+ to play until !y are   
all 9 a p]spiration1 b *ildr5 j z well  
wond] at gr[n up p = work+ ) ! same     
result4  ,! r++ ( ! s*ool bell br\ght ! 
game to a close4 ,ne>ly all ( ! s*ol>s  
w5t at once into ! h\se1 :ile a few l+]$
 on ! por* to get a dr9k ( wat] & cool  
(f a little be=e go+ 94  ,h[ quiet x    
seems j aft] all ! boys & girls are     
call$ f ! play-gr\nd to _! books4  ,!   
s*ool build+ at ,r+gold is at "o end ( !

 t[n1 & ! t[n is a little1 long "o1 "r  
on ! top ( a l>ge1 long hill4 ,on ei!r  
side y c see ! m\nta9s1 & f ,r+gold to !
 m\nta9 ea/w>d1 ev5 away up on ! side ( 
! m\nta91 are ?\s&s & ?\s&s ( pea*      
trees4  ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,r+gold      
,,s*oolh\se4  ,)9 ! s*ool h\se is "w4   
,class aft] class is call$ up to recite1
 & 9 "s ( !m n _m *anges are made z to !
 /&+ ( ! pupils4 ,9 mo/ ( ! classes !   
me?od ( trapp+ is us$4 ,:5ev] any "o    
mis-spells a ^w or makes a mi/ake on a  
problem1 ! next "o bel[ him has a *ance 
at x2 if he misses1 ! next has a *ance1 
& s on until ! "o is f\nd :o c make "r !
 error1 !n t "o traps & goes up above   
all :o h miss$4  ,ev] s9ce ,*>lie _h be5
 abs5t t "o day1 he _h be5 work+        
especially h>d to w9 8 accu/om$ place at
 ! head ( 8 classes1 = :oev] miss$ a day
 _h to g foot4  ,t aft]noon because !   
lessons 7 r difficult1 he hop$ to get   
ne> to 8 old place1 if n to rea* x      
altoge!r4 ,:5 ! fir/ class 0 call$1 8   
he>t beat j a little fa/] ?an :ile he 0 

prep>+ 8 lesson4 ,z he arose f 8 seat to
 g1 he brea!d a little pray] to ,god1 t 
he might rememb] well :at he _h j be5   
le>n+4  ,sev]al problems 7 miss$ & z _m 
times somebody trapp$ up4 ,b n e problem
 t o!rs _h mi/ak5 rea*$ ,*>lie4 ,"o "t  
he ?\ght he w\ld n[ trap ?ree1 :5 he    
himself miss$1 & ano!r got x4 ,9 trapp+1
 h[ev]1 ! close ( ! recitation f\nd him 
?ird b n fir/4 ,& s ! class 0 dismiss$ =
 t day4  ,! la/ 9 ! aft]noon 0 ! spell+ 
class4 ,! tea*] frequ5tly began to      
pron\nce ! words on ! l[] "p ( ! page   
fir/4 ,t\rnam5t 0 ! fir/ ^w to-day4 ,!  
next 0 con/itute4 ,coadjutor 0 ,*>lie's 
fir/ ^w to spell4 ,inaugurate 0         
mis-spell$ ne> ! foot ( ! class4 ,sumac 
0 miss$1 & ! s*ol>s bel[ 7 eag]4 ,ducat 
enabl$ ! "o above ,*>lie to trap two4   
,j\/ 0 spell$ correctly4 ,oolite &      
vocable 7 miss$ sev]al times4 ,! lesson 
0 almo/ clos$4  ,compass1 said ! tea*]4 
,=tnight4  ,revolt4 ,t 0 ,*>lie's4      
,ca\t*\c4  ,c-a-o-u-t-c-h--c-h--c't     
spell x1 said ! little man next bel[    

,*>lie4  ,next1 said ! tea*]4           
,c-a-o-u-t-c-h-o-u-c-e4  ,next4         
,c-o-o-c-h-o-o--o-o--4  ,next4          
,c-h-o-o--  ,next1 & ,*>lie began to wi%
 he _h be5 foot n[1 s he c\ld get up m  
?an "o at a "t4  ,k-a-u-o-t-c-h4  ,next1
 & all eyes began to look t[>d ! head ( 
! class1 = ! un=tunate ^w 0 sure to g   
!re4  ,ca\t*\c1 aga9 pron\nc$ ! tea*]1  
cle>ly4 ,! bright little girl at ! head 
( ! class 0 a good spell]1 b he>+ s _m  
ef=ts1 %e became confus$ ) ! ^w1 &      
al?\gh spell+ sl[ly at x1 %e miss$ x4   
,next4  ,ca\t*\c1 is x1 tea*]8  ,yes1   
sir4  ,c-o-u-t-c-h-o-u-c4  ,next4       
,c-o-u-t-c-h-a-o-u-c4  ,next1 & e k9d ( 
a way 0 giv5 to spell t ^w4 ,x pass$ on 
d[n ! class to ,*>lie4 ,he 0 wait+1 n a 
little anxi\sly = x4                    
,c-a-o-u-t-c-h-o-u-c ca\t*\c1 & he m>*$ 
up head ) a smile t %[$ gladness =      
himself1 & love = ^? 9 ! class at ! head
 ( :i* he n[ /ood4  ,"s words m & !     
lesson 0 recit$4  ,*>lie1 said ,e>l     
,r9eh>t aft] ! bell rang1 & !y 7 pass+  

out ( ! door1 ,i 0 glad y got t ^w "r4  
,:y s1 ,e>l8  ,because ,i'd r h y head  
?an any "o else1 ev5 if ,i d h to be    
second or ?ird4  ,& hav+ cross$ ov] !   
/ile1 five ( !m jo9$ 9 a r[ & ran a     
footrace d[n ! little hill1 pa/ ,bell's 
& ,newcom]'s1 on d[n ! road1--save "o1  
:o turn$ (f to ! "r quickly & hurri$    
into ! h\se to tell 8 mamma ( 8 good    
=tune 9 ! spell+ class4     ,,*apt]     
,,ii4  ,a ,,sunday ,,at ,,welty',s      
,,*ur*4   ,! sun 0 %9+ brightly on      
,sunday morn+1 & all 0 /ill & quiet 9   
,r+gold & ! c\ntry r\nd ab\t4 ,*>lie _h 
button$ 8 si/] ,bessie's %oes1 & !y bo? 
7 n[ sitt+ on ! back por* ( _! home1    
talk+4  ,_! papa 0 9 ! front room       
review+ 8 ,sunday s*ool lesson1 & _!    
mamma 0 re-arrang+ "s ?+s 9 ! kit*54 ,x 
0 n "t to g yet1 b ! c>riage 0 /&+ at ! 
gate & ! horse 0 9 ! /able1 h>ness$4    
,bessie1 said ,*>lie1 don't y wi% y 7   
go+ to be baptiz$ to-day6  ,:y1 ,*>lie1 
y "k ,i'm too little1 said ,bessie4  ,h[
 old d y ?9k y ought to be fir/1 anyh[6 

,oh1 ,i don't "k4  ,i 0 j ?9k+ ab\t h[  
nice ev]y?+ is ?is morn+1 & ,i wond] h[ 
x 0 9 ! g>d5 ( ,ed54  ,*ildr51 are y    
ready = ,sunday s*ool8 ,papa is hit*+   
up4  ,all "r1 mamma1 we're com+1 !y     
answ]$1 & 7 (f toge!r v soon4  ,on ! way
 to *ur*1 no "o _h mu* to say4 ,*>lie 0 
sitt+ on ! front seat ) 8 papa1 & he 0 !
 driv] too1 :ile ,bessie & mamma sat on 
! second seat4  ,! *ur* is d[n 9 !      
valley betwe5 ! long ,r+gold hill & !   
m\nta9 to ! ea/1 & by ! "t !y rea*$ x1  
sev]al o!r c>riages 7 already !re4 ,!   
sup]9t5d5t ( ! ,sunday s*ool _h j gott5 
!re a %ort "t be=e1 & all :o 7 !re 7    
ga!r+ 9 to sp5d a little :ile 9 s++ be=e
 "t = ,sunday s*ool to beg94 ,! fir/    
hymn !y sang t morn+ 0      ,jesus1 :5  
he left ! sky1     ,& = s9n]s came to   
die1     ,9 8 m]cy pass$ n by           
,little ones l me4  & all ! o!r v]ses4  
,aft] !y sang !m !y all kneel$ d[n & !  
sup]9t5d5t l$ 9 an e>ne/ pray]4 ,!n !y  
read ! lesson1 v]se ab\t1 & ! tea*]s    
began "w ) _! classes4  ,gr[n-up p      

sometimes ?9k ! ,sunday s*ool is j = !  
*ildr51 & ev5 "h at ,welty's !re 7 "s :o
 seem$ to ?9k t way1 & ! ,sunday s*ool  
consi/$ mo/ly ( *ildr54  ,illu/ration3  
,,welty',s ,,meet+-,,h\se4  ,*>lie's    
tea*] took 8 class to ! "o end ( ! *ur*1
 into an adjo9+ room1 :]e !y c\ld le>n s
 mu* bett]1 n be+ annoy$ at all by !    
talk+ ( ! o!r classes4 ,"h 9 ?is little 
room1 tea*] & class regul>ly /udy ! ,^w 
( ,god = a half h\r e ,sunday4  ,a half 
h\r seems b a %ort "t1 & inde$ x is1 b t
 is only ! recitation p]iod1 & t is long
 en\gh = su* z h /udi$ ! lesson well4 ,x
 takes a good :ile to tell :at we don't 
"k1 b n v long to tell :at we d "k4     
,sunday s*ool 0 ov] & five m9utes lat]  
*ur* s]vices began4 ,ne>ly all ! s*ol>s 
rema9$ = *ur*4 ,sev]al m9i/]s 7 !re1 & !
 "o :o prea*$ talk$ ab\t ! love ( ,god =
 ev]ybody4 ,he said ,god lov$ boys &    
girls z well z m5 & wom54 ,he lov$ bad p
 & good p4 ,he ev5 lov$ hea!n p1 & ,he  
wants e "o ev]y:]e to love ,him 9       
return4 ,he said ,god wants all ( u to  

s]ve ,him1 & if we d n s]ve ,him1 we c n
 love ,him4 ,he said1 too1 t ! m we s]ve
 ,him1 ! happi] we are1 & ! less we d = 
,him1 ! m unhappy we are4  ,he talk$    
ab\t pray]1 too4 ,he said "s ,*ri/ians  
pray & "s ,*ri/ians d n1 & h[ t ! be/   
,*ri/ians always pray ! mo/4  ,! prea*] 
0 an old man ^: be>d 0 already gray ) ! 
labors ( _m ye>s1 & ev]ybody said x 0 a 
good s]mon4  ,aft] ! meet+ !re 0 no ha/e
 to g home4 ,e "o seem$ desir\s ( /ay+  
!re & %ak+ h&s & talk+ a :ile4 ,!       
sup]9t5d5t ne>ly always tri$ to get     
sev]al to accompany him home1 s t !y    
might sp5d ! aft]noon toge!r4 ,all !    
memb]s ( t *ur* did 9 ! same way4 ,!    
*ildr5 7 out on ! grass talk+ ) ea* o!r 
& wait+ until p>5ts & fri5ds 7 ready to 
/>t = home4  ,*>lie 0 among ! la/ to    
leave1 & z he & 8 papa walk$ out to !   
c>riage1 :]e mamma & ,bessie 7 wait+ =  
!m1 he said1 ,i don't "k :y ,i l *ur* s 
well1 papa1 ,i j wi% x w\ld la/ all day4
  ,8 papa said1 ,be=e y c\ld walk we    
always took y ) u to prea*+4 ,i'm glad y

 did1 answ]$ ,*>lie1 z he ran to untie !
 horse be=e 8 papa 0 q !re4     ,,*apt] 
,,iii4  ,,try+ ,,to ,,f9d ,,some?+4     
,"o day a little fell[ 0 se5 walk+ back 
& =? on ! road f ! /ore to 8 home1 look+
 s]i\s1 & ) eyes close ^u ! gr\nd4 ,a   
wagon go+ by1 ! man call$ out1 ,*>lie1  
:at are y do+8  ,oh1 ,i lo/ some?+1 &   
,i'm j try+ to f9d x4  ,& he kept hunt+ 
a long :ile betwe5 8 home & ! /ore to   
f9d :atev] x 0 he _h lo/4 ,8 mamma _h   
s5t him to ! /ore to get "s groc]ies =  
h]4 ,he receiv$ ! *ange into 8 h&1 a    
nickel1 & com+ home he lo/ x4 ,8 mamma  
?\ght he c\ld n f9d x1 b he cont9u$     
seek+ until he did4  ,mamma1 ,i f\nd x1 
he came 9 say+1 ,i knew ,i c\ld4 ,y     
?\ght ,i c\ldn't1 n[ y might give x to  
me4 ,8 mamma laugh$ & !n ask$ him to br+
 9 "s wat]4 ,aft] he _h set ! bucket (  
wat] on ! table he said1 ,:at d y ?9k ,i
 0 ?9k+ ab\t :5 ,i 0 hunt+ = t five     
c5ts8  ,i c't tell1 son4  ,well1 mamma1 
he said1 ,i w\ld l to be a ,*ri/ian1 c't
 ,i8 ,i w\ld l to be baptiz$ soon4  ,8  

mamma always pray$ t h] *ildr5 might gr[
 9 grace z !y gr[ 9 ye>s1 b ?is 0       
unexpect$4 ,%e answ]$3 ,i am glad y ?9k 
ab\t t1 ,*>lie1 b y are too "y n[4  ,h[ 
old mu/ "o be fir/8  ,well1 t v>ies a   
good deal1 ,i "k4  ,i'm n9e ye>s old4   
,yes1 ,i "k4  ,a9't n9e old en\gh8  ,b y
 mu/ ?9k ab\t x m1 ,*>lie4  ,m6 ,i've   
be5 ?9k+ ab\t x a long "t a'ready4      
,well ,i'll talk to papa ab\t x1 & we'll
 see :at he says4 ,y "k we want y always
 to d "r1 said 8 mamma1 & he got 8      
magnet1 & put p9s toge!r & magnetiz$ a  
ne$le1 & made x swim1 & po9t nor? & s\?4
  ,t night aft] bo? *ildr5 7 asleep1 _! 
p>5ts talk$ a good deal ab\t :at ,*>lie 
_h said4  ,*>lie wants to unite ) !     
*ur*4  ,he does8 ,:5 did he say s8  ,j  
to-day1 & he is 9 deep e>ne/ ab\t x1    
too4 ,i don't "k :at to ?9k1 h>dly4  ,i 
h>dly ?9k he realizes fully1 :at he     
wants to d4  ,poor little fell[1 :at d y
 ?9k ,i _h bett] tell him8  ,i don't "k4
 ,suppose he %\ld come & !n n hold out4 
,y see t w\ld be bad4  ,yes1 & !n1 papa1

 :at wrong has he done8  ,t's s4  ,b y  
rememb] f\r ye>s ago :5 a c]ta9 lady 0  
"h on a visit1 h[ %e happ5$ to express  
h] unbelief 9 ,god4 ,no "o ?\ght !      
*ildr5 he>d a ^w ( x4 ,*>lie 0 gone 9 a 
mom5t1 we ?\ght to play1 :5 he br\ght 9 
! ,bible & laid x on h] lap & said1     
',read t1 x w tell y :at to d4' ,i      
always did ?9k ,*>lie w\ld be a ,*ri/ian
 v e>ly 9 life4  ,yes1 ,i am glad = x1  
too1--b ,i guess we'd bett] wait a :ile 
anyh[1 & see if he really wants to come1
 said 8 papa1 & ! matt] 0 dropp$1 & o!r 
?+s 7 talk$ ab\t4  ,sev]al days pass$ by
 till ! subject 0 br\ght up aga94 ,!n   
,*>lie said3  ,n9e ye>s2 old en\gh to g 
to s*ool1 old en\gh to d "w1 old en\gh  
to d good or bad1 & n old en\gh to be   
baptiz$4 ,mamma1 ,i d wi% ,i c\ld4      
,*>lie1 y nev] did any?+ bad4  ,mu/ ,i d
 some?+ bad be=e ,i c jo9 ! *ur*8  ,no1 
no1 b y're s "y1 y don't ne$ to yet4    
,well1 ,i c't see-- he said1 & !n1 )    
te>s 9 8 eyes1 he took ,bessie by ! h&1 
& w5t d[n across ! lot to ! old apple   

tree1 :]e !y _h a sw+ & sp5t (t5 _m     
happy h\rs4  ,9 a day or two aft] t1    
,*>lie m5tion$ at ! table1 8 desire to  
be a *ild ( ,god4 ,i am sure ,i w\ld    
hold out1 he said1 & if ,i c\ldn't ,i'd 
be j :]e ,i am n[4 ,b ,i c\ld1 = ,jesus 
helps1 don't ,he8  ,!n no?+ m 0 said =  
sev]al mon?s ab\t 8 becom+ a *ild (     
,god4 ,x seem$ z if he _h =gott5 8      
desire to f9d some?+ ( heav5 s "y4  ,!  
summ] 0 ov]4 ,all ! pea*es on ! side ( !
 m\nta9 & 9 ! valley _h be5 ga!r$4 ,!   
leaves ( ! trees 7 yell[ & gold51 & _m  
_h already f\nd _! re/+ place ^u !      
gr\nd4 ,*>lie & ,bessie _h bo? be5 go+  
to s*ool = six weeks already4 ,x 0      
,saturday4 ,!re 0 to be prea*+ at       
,welty's t day1 & a love-fea/ 9 ! ev5+4 
,*>lie _h be5 ?9k+ ab\t ! ?irte5? *apt] 
( ,john & ! fifte5?1 & :5 all 7 ab\t    
ready to g to ! meet+ he said1 ,n[1 if y
 _h let me jo9 ! *ur* la/ summ]1 :5 ,i  
want$ to1 ,i c\ld h enjoy$ ?is meet+4   
,:y1 my de> boy1 said 8 mamma1 y c enjoy
 x anyh[1 c't y8  ,no1 said he1 n z ,i'd

 l to4  ,& !y all f\r got into ! c>riage
 & />t$ (f to ! meet+1 n say+ v mu*4    
,,*apt] ,,iv4  ,,que/ions ,,& ,,answ]s4 
,s]vices cont9u$ long] "o ,sunday ?an   
usual1 & aft] ! meet+ 0 ov] q a numb] ( 
^? :o _h come a di/ance1 ^u invitation1 
decid$ to /op ) o!rs :o 7 n s f> f home4
 ,two c>riages drove ov] to ! big spr+4 
,! ,newcom]s w5t ) ! ,sunday s*ool      
sup]9t5d5t1 & o!rs w5t else:]e4  ,?is   
mann] ( visit+ aft] ! meet+ on ,sunday1 
is sometimes a good ?+ & sometimes x is 
n4 ,x is good if ! occasion is us$ = !  
spiritual b5efit ( ^? conc]n$4 ,sunday  
is ! ,"l's day4  ,9 ! aft]noon1 at !    
sup]9t5d5t's h\se1 ! conv]sation drift$ 
ab\t on ! v>i\s phases ( religi\s life1 
*ur* "w1 ,bible /udy1 educational "w1 ! 
conv]sion ( *ildr51 mission>y "w1 books1
 pap]s1 & pres5t day life4  ,! little   
folks 7 out some:]e1 engag+ !mselves z  
!y saw prop]4 ,sometimes !y came into ! 
room & rema9$ a %ort "t1 !n out !y w\ld 
g all toge!r4  ,*>lie rema9$1 h[ev]4    
,!re may h be5 two boys :o pref]r$ to   

/ay 9 ! h\se4  ,t[>d ev5+ ,*>lie came to
 "o ( ^? :o _h be5 talk+ ) ! re/1 &     
lean+ ov] on 8 knee1 he want$ to ask "s 
que/ions4 ,he _h be5 he>+ & n say+      
any?+1 & n[ he want$ "s ?+s expla9$4    
,tell me1 he said1 h[ old is old en\gh  
to jo9 ! *ur*4  ,t v>ies1 ,*>lie1       
accord+ to ! intellig5ce & tea*+ ( !    
*ild4 ,"s are m fit :5 !y are t5 ye>s1  
?an o!rs at tw5ty4  ,well1 b1 am ,i old 
en\gh8  ,i ?9k s1 don't y8  ,yes1 ,i d1 
b ano!r ?+4 ,does an education make a   
p]son good8  ,no1 x w make y bett] if y 
are good1 b if a bad man gets education1
 t doesn't make him good4  ,!n is x any 
use to /udy s h>d to get a good         
education8  ,:y c]ta9ly4  ,tell me4     
,education1 ,*>lie1 is j developm5t4 ,y 
"k :at developm5t means8  ,yes sir4     
,well1 developm5t gives /r5g?4  ,y h    
notic$ t l>ge tree out 9 ! or*>d4 ,x 0  
only a *e/nut once1 b n[ x is develop$4 
,t tree is only an educat$ *e/nut4 ,:i* 
is /rong]1--! *e/nut tree or ! little   
*e/nut8  ,! tree1 ( c\rse1 said he1 b ,i

 he>d "s "o say1 ,i ?9k x 0 j la/       
,sunday1 t education spoils "s p4  ,! "r
 k9d ( an education w nev] spoil any "o4
  ,i'm go+ to get a good education4     
,papa & mamma said !y'd help me1 b ,i   
want to e>n ! money myself1 & !n g a    
long "t4  ,& !n y'll be a mission>y     
won't y8  ,c\ld ,i8  ,y c if y *oose4   
,:at mu/ ,i d8  ,y mu/ be a good        
,*ri/ian at home1 & d all y c = ,jesus  
n[4 ,:oev] is n good at home is ! same  
away f home4 ,d ?+s s p w all love y4   
,if y\r associates & acqua9tances d n   
love y1 x is n likely ! hea!n w1 & love 
is a great deal ( ! mission>y's         
prep>ation4 ,& give4 ,if y h n mu*1 give
 a little1 & if y h m1 give             
proportionately4 ,b x is n all 9 giv+4  
,!re is m ev5 9 liv+ = ! ,"l1 & j lett+ 
"o's self be all ,84  ,*>lie seem$ to be
 ?9k+ ( some?+ else !n1 & he spoke out 9
 e>ne/3  ,doesn't ! ,bible say we ought 
to s5d mission>ies ev]y:]e 9 ! _w8  ,x  
says we mu/ ',g'1 yes4  ,7 !re hea!n    
fifty ye>s ago8  ,yes4  ,well1 !n :y    

didn't we s5d lots ( mission>ies fifty  
ye>s ago8 ,i wi% ,i c\ld g4  ,d y want  
to "k1 ,*>lie1 h[ y c tell if y c be a  
mission>y :5 y are a man8  ,yes sir1    
said ,*>lie4  ,be a little mission>y n[4
 ,be a ,*ri/ian4 ,get new s*ol>s to come
 to ,sunday s*ool4 ,live = o!r p all y  
c4 ,"o little p]son quit eat+ c&y1 &    
gave ! money = ! ,"l1 ano!r b\ght a doz5
 eggs & rais$ *ick5s & sold !m = ! ,"l4 
,a little f>m] boy rais$ potatoes on a  
little corn] ( l& 8 papa said he c\ld h1
 & !n sold !m = mission>y money1 & !re  
are _m o!r ways4  ,oh1 ,i "k1 ,i "k :at 
,i'll d6 said sev]al at once4 ,i'm s    
?ir/y4  ,s am ,i4 ,no1 wait4 ,come on4  
,we c all d some?+1 !n1 c't we8 ,i'm dry
 too4  ,& ! "o :o 0 answ]+ que/ions1    
toge!r ) = six little p1 :o _h ga!r$    
ar\nd him1 w5t out "u ! grape arbor1 &  
d[n by ! r[ ( ev]gre5s to ! spr+1 & !y  
all drank he>tily f ! old t9 cup4  ,an  
h\r lat] all ! visitors _h _! faces     
turn$ t[>d home1 & ! *ildr5 7 ?9k+ ab\t 
be+ little mission>ies at home4         

,,*apt] ,v4  ,a ,,*ild ,,( ,,god4   ,a  
good _m mon?s _h pass$ s9ce ,*>lie lo/ !
 nickel betwe5 ! /ore & 8 home4 ,he _h  
(t5 spok5 ab\t 8 desire to be a real    
,*ri/ian4 ,he 0 go+ to s*ool e day1 & _h
 m ?an ! av]age ( s*ool-boy-livel9ess4  
,sev]al ye>s _h pass$ s9ce he & "o ( !  
little ,sunday s*ool girls sw++ 9 ! %ade
 ( ! old apple tree1 _h ea* promis$ !   
o!r to beg9 to be a ,*ri/ian :ile !y 7  
"y 9 ye>s4 ,! little girl 0 fir/ to     
fulfil h] promise1 & 0 n[ an active     
little memb] ( ! *ur*1 prais+ ,god by h]
 daily life4 ,he ?\ght m ( h] = h]      
decision1 b he himself 0 n yet a memb] (
 ! *ur*1 & 0 already twelve ye>s old4   
,bro!r ,e>ly _h be5 prea*+ e night 9    
,waynesboro = sev]al weeks4 ,a good _m  
p1 :o liv$ n too f> away f ,waynesboro1 
(t5 drove 9 to att5d ! meet+s4 ,*>lie 0 
usually on h&1 an att5tive li/5]4  ,on !
 way home "o ,sunday night ,*>lie broke 
! monoton\s rumble ( ! c>riage by ask+1 
,mamma1 d y ?9k ,i'd be sav$ if ,i'd    
die8  ,& 8 mamma answ]$1 ,well ,*>lie1  

inde$ ,i don't "k :at to tell y1 & no "o
 said any?+ fur!r = a mom5t1 :i* seem$  
ev] s long4  ,:at d y say ab\t x1 papa8 
cont9u$ ,*>lie 9 a v e>ne/1 plead+ tone 
( voice4  ,y h ask$ a pretty h>d "q1    
said 8 papa4 ,j at ?is "t ( y\r life we 
_c "k4 ,god is j1 & may be y'd be       
sav$--may be n4 ,aft] sev]al m9utes1 :i*
 seem$ almo/ l h\rs1 z ! c>riage mov$   
sl[ly up ! hill1 8 mamma1 ev] anxi\s    
ab\t h] boy1 z all mammas are1 said1 ,:y
 d y ask su* que/ions1 ,*>lie8  ,well1  
mamma1 he answ]$1 ,i c't /& x any long]4
 ,my he>t pretty ne> breaks :5 we are at
 meet+4 ,i d wi% ,i c\ld jo9 ! *ur*4    
,n[1 8 p>5ts _h talk$ ! matt] all ov] by
 !mselves1 & !y _h decid$ to all[ ,*>lie
 to come at ?is "t1 if he really want$  
to1 & !y w\ld also enc\rage _! son4 ,:5 
he _h ?us spok51 !y told him ! words t 8
 boyi% he>t _h be5 a*+ to he> = already 
s long a "t1 t he %\ld come n[1 if he   
wi%$4  ,! next ev5+ ,*>lie lo/ no "t 9  
publicly com+ out on ! ,"l's side4      
,bro!r ,oll]1 said he1 ,i'm com+4 ,x's  

decid$4 ,i want to be baptiz$ & live a  
,*ri/ian4  ,! ag$ eld] /oop$ to ! eag]  
boy be=e him1 & t5d]ly answ]$1 ,well1   
,*>lie1 ! ,"l bless y4 ,! lambs are     
always welcome 9 ! flock4 ,i hope y w be
 able to be a valiant soldi] = ,*ri/4 ,!
 ,"l bless y1 my de> boy4  ,on ! way    
home t night1 ,*>lie's he>t 0 glad )9   
him4 ,h[ diff]5t x 0 f ! night be=e4 ,he
 0 soon to be a soldi] = ,jesus4 ,x did 
n seem to take long at all to g home1 & 
! hills did n seem s /eep1 & ! night did
 n seem s d>k4 ,he c\ld n[ see ! bright 
side ( life1 bett] ?an ev] be=e4  ,:ile 
8 papa 0 out at ! b>n1 putt+ away !     
horse & c>riage1 ,*>lie 0 talk+ to 8    
mamma 9 ! h\se4  ,i wi% n[ we _h family 
wor%ip4 ,mamma1 :y don't we h family    
wor%ip1 anyh[8  ,well1 ,i don't "k1     
,*>lie1 j :y we don't1 said mamma4      
,well1 mamma1 papa ought to h x4 ,o!r   
memb]s d1 don't !y8  ,i guess papa feels
 a little timid ab\t lead+ 9 pray]1 said
 8 mamma4 ,t's all ! reason ,i "k4      
,well1 ,i tell y1 ,i'll d my "p4 ,i'll  

take my turn always1 if we j c h family 
wor%ip e day4 ,won't y ask papa8 ,i ?9k 
he w4  ,sunday 0 ! day = baptism4 ,two (
 ! bre?r5 came on a visit to exam9e ^?  
to be baptiz$1 be=e ! day = baptism1 to 
le>n if !y 7 ready = ! holy ord9ance1 & 
if !y 7 will+ to take ! ,new ,te/am5t z 
! rule ( fai? & practice1 & to walk 9   
h>mony ) ! *ur*4  ,illu/ration3 ,,!     
,,/ream ,,bel[ ,,! ,,bridge4  ,*>lie's  
answ]s 7 cle> & well-def9$4 ,! bre?r5 _h
 q a pleasant visit ) him1 & !y w5t away
 feel+ t *ildr5 7 v fit subjects = !    
*ur*1 = ( su* is ! k+dom ( heav54  ,!re 
7 ?irte5 baptiz$ t day1 & a l>ge numb] (
 p witness$ ! sc5e4 ,x seem$1 z we read 
ab\t x 9 ! ,bible1 l apo/olic times1 z  
"o aft] ano!r 0 l$ d[n into ! /ream (   
wat] ne> ! bridge1 & 0 !re buri$ 9      
baptism4  ,:5 ,*>lie arose f 8 knees1   
:ile !y 7 yet 9 ! wat]1 ! m9i/]1 ,bro!r 
,price1 greet$ him ) a kiss4  ,aft] !   
baptisms1 all ! p soon w5t away to _!   
homes1 b ( all t numb]1 ?irte5 w5t away 
feel+ ! joy ( hav+ ent]$ into a bless$  

exp]i5ce1 :i* !y _h n kn[n be=e4  ,t    
,sunday night ! voice ( pray] 0 he>d 9 !
 home ( ! ,newcom]s4 ,family wor%ip 0 a 
daily s]vice !re f t "t on4 ,e ev5+ be=e
 go+ to b$ ! little family w\ld s+ a    
hymn1 read a portion ( ,scripture1 & !n 
all kneel d[n toge!r & pray4 ,& ,*>lie1 
true to 8 promise1 & b a boy1 yet a     
,*ri/ian boy1 w\ld always take 8 turn1 9
 read+1 9 lead+ 9 pray]1 & 9 clos+ ) !  
,"l's pray]4     ,,*apt] ,,vi4  ,a      
,,saturday ,,at ,,home4   ,aft] we are  
once six ye>s old1 ! mo/ ( u h to sp5d m
 days1 z *ildr51 9 ! s*ool ?an out ( x2 
& :e!r ,saturday does u v mu* good1 ,i d
 n "k4 ,! lessons are ne>ly always n z  
well prep>$ on ,monday z on o!r days1 = 
too mu* "t to prep>e is ab\t z bad z too
 little4 ,& !n1 too1 we sometimes =get  
ov] ,sunday1 :at we h /udi$ = ,monday2  
b1 x is bett] n to "k ! lessons on      
,monday1 ?an to /udy !m on ,sunday4     
,sunday is ! ,"l's day4 ,! be/ way (    
all1 h[ev]1 is to /udy on ,friday &     
,saturday nights1 & !n get up a little  

e>li] on ,monday morn+ & review be=e    
s*ool "t4  ,saturday is an (f day       
g5]ally4 ,girls h a good deal ( "w to d 
ab\t ! h\se & boys h a good deal to d   
ab\t ! b>n1 & sometimes !y h to "w      
pretty h>d4  ,*>lie _h f9i%$ 8 *ores z  
soon z he c\ld t day & 0 9 ! h\se4      
,bessie 0 v busy fix+ h] dollies'       
dresses1 = %e _h five dollies1 & !y     
always 7 s h>d on _! clo!s4  ,boys w be 
boys1 gr[n up p (t5 say1 & ,*>lie       
(t5times w\ld give v5t to 8 boyi% nature
 by j teas+ :oev] w\ld be teas$4 ,he    
teas$ ,bessie a good deal1 & mamma too4 
,he made ,da%1 8 dog1 /& 9 ! corn]4  ,he
 w\ld hide 9 ! ev5+ :5 8 papa came home1
 until he w\ld he> :at he w\ld say ^u   
miss+ him1 !n come out f beh9d ! /ove1  
beh9d ! door1 or "u ! table1 laugh+     
he>tily4  ,on ?is p>ticul> ,saturday1   
,*>lie 0 ?r\gh ) 8 "w1 & :ile he 0 help+
 8 "m a good deal 9 ! h\se1 he took to  
teas+ h]4  ,pres5tly %e said1 ,*>lie1   
don't d t1 = x is n "r4  ,he said no?+  
to ?is correction1 b w5t quietly out ( !

 h\se4  ,aft] a little :ile he came     
hurri$ly 9 aga9 say+3 ,mamma1 y said ,i 
0 do+ wrong4 ,i w5t out to ! b>n1 &     
crawl$ up into ! hay m[1 & ,i pray$ to  
,god to =give me1 = ,i don't want to d  
wrong4 ,w ,he =give me1 mamma1 & w y8   
,c]ta9ly ,i w =give y1 ,*>lie1 & ,god w 
too4 ,try n to d x any m1 answ]$ 8 "m1 z
 %e 0 wond]+ if %e _h n spok5 too h>%ly 
to h] boy4  ,"s s*oolmates came 9 !n &  
!y all w5t d[n to ! sw+ "u ! apple tree1
 :]e !y _h a good "t toge!r4  ,aft] !y  
all _h a turn sw++1 !y play$ cat*] ar\nd
 ! h\se1 & hide & seek1 & o!r games z   
all *ildr5 "k4 ,at ab\t five o'clock !  
little visitors all w5t home4  ,"s m5   
pass$ along ! road talk+ v l\d & swe>+4 
,"o ( !m _h be5 dr9k+4 ,*>lie & ,bessie 
7 look+ at _! "m z %e 0 do+ "s ev5+'s "w
 :51 9 a v ?\ghtful mood1 ,*>lie said3  
,mamma1 don't y wi% y'd 'a' nev] _h any 
*ildr58  ,no1 ,*>lie4 ,:y8 said %e4     
,well1 s _m p are s bad1--swe>+ & gett+ 
drunk4 ,suppose ,i %\ld turn out t way4 
,really1 ,i wi% ,i'd die :ile ,i'm      

little4  ,s d ,i1 said ,bessie4  ,:y    
*ildr51 *ildr51 y mu/ n talk t way4 ,:at
 w\ld y\r papa & ,i d8 said _! "m1 almo/
 *ok+ on h] words1 = ,*>lie _h said t a 
numb] ( times be=e4 ,:o made y8 %e ask$4
  ,god !y answ]$4  ,well !n1 cont9u$ _! 
mamma1 y ought to want to live z long z 
y c1 s y c\ld s]ve ,him m4 ,he wants u  
to d all ! good we c4  ,bo? *ildr5 w5t  
into ! sitt+ room1 & ,*>lie got 8 little
 acc\nt book & figur$ up h[ mu* money he
 _h on int]e/1 & h[ mu* ! int]e/ 01 &   
c\nt$ h[ mu* he _h 9 8 bank1 & !n add$ x
 all up toge!r4 ,bessie he said1 :5 ,i  
get big ,i'm go+ to g to college & pay  
my own way4 ,see if ,i don't4 ,!n !y    
play$ toge!r till !y got into a little  
difficulty1 & bo? ran out to tell mamma 
all ab\t x4  ,t night ,bessie did n g to
 sleep z soon z usual4 ',twas ! same !  
night be=e4 ,%e seem$ tr\bl$4 ,h] mamma 
?\ght %e 0 sick4 ,pres5tly ,*>lie       
sugge/$1 ,mamma1 ,i'll bet ,i "k :at's !
 matt] ) ,bessie4  ,well1 :y don't y    
tell me1 ,*>lie8 ,i d want to "k1 said  

_! mamma4  ,bessie wants to jo9 ! *ur*1 
he repli$1 & 8 little si/] began cry+ 9 
e>ne/1 & soon cri$ h]self to sleep4     
,,*apt] ,,vii4  ,,*>lie',s ,,la/ ,,days4
      ,!y :o seek ! ?rone ( grace       
,f9d t ?rone 9 e place2     ,if we live 
a life ( pray]1     ,god is pres5t      
ev]y:]e4   ,t mu* dread$ disease1 sc>let
 fev]1 0 ! unwelcome visitor to _m      
homes4 ,bessie 0 tak5 by x4 ,:ile %e 0  
ill1 ,*>lie 0 kept f s*ool1 le/ o!r     
*ildr5 %\ld take x ( him4 ,(t5 he w\ld  
/eal ov] to ! s*ool h\se dur+ s*ool     
h\rs1 & peep 9 at ! w9d[1 unobs]v$1 to  
le>n :o /ood fir/ 9 8 classes4 ,he (t5  
wat*$ ! spell+ class z !y /ood up 9     
recitation1 c\ld tell ea* pupils' /&+1 b
 he himself d>$ n ent]4 ,^? 7 long1 long
 weeks = ,*>lie1 t ,bessie's illness    
cont9u$4 ,%e grew v1 v sick4 ,sometimes 
x seem$ h] little life 0 susp5d$ on a   
silk5 ?read1--a t\* might cause x to    
snap1 & %e w\ld be gone =ev]4  ,*ildr5  
conv]t$ are *ildr5 /ill4 ,*>lie 0 a boy1
 al?\gh a ,*ri/ian4 ,(t5 he came s(tly  

into ! h\se1 & :5 he w\ld meet 8 mamma  
out ( ! sick room1 he w\ld say1 ,don't y
 wi% y _h left ,bessie be baptiz$ :5 %e 
want$ to8 ,suppose %e %\ld die4 ,& 8    
poor "m1 almo/ brok5 d[n ) c>e = h]     
little girl1 0 made sick at he>t by     
que/ions l t4  ,on ! doctor's daily     
visit ,*>lie met him at ! gate1 & w\ld  
tie 8 horse = him1 & !n come ) him into 
! h\se4  ,bessie _h la9 ill already f\r 
weeks4 ,on ,tuesday morn+ ! doctor ti$ 8
 horse himself & came 9 alone4 ,*>lie 0 
sick4 ,! doctor said to him1 ,well1     
,*>lie1 y've got x n[4 ,does x sc>e y8  
,no sir1 x don't sc>e me1 he said1 b ,i 
hope ,i won't h to be sick z long z     
,bessie4  ,bo? 7 soon hang+ 9 !         
balances1 ,bessie 9 "o room1 ,*>lie 9   
ano!r4 ,*>lie want$ to be tak5 ov] into 
,bessie's room1 t !y bo? might be sick  
toge!r4  ,day & night ! two little      
pati5ts 7 closely wat*$4 ,*>lie 0 he>d  
mak+ a noise1 & !y li/5$ to cat* !      
voice4 ,he 0 suff]+ great pa9 b humm+ ! 
tune 9 ! hymnal1 numb] #aah1--n say+ !  

words1 b j humm+ ! tune4 ,(t5 he w\ld   
ease 8 pa9 ) ?is heav5 m$ic9e4 ,twice he
 0 he>d to speak di/9ctly4 ,once he said
 ,"l & aga9 x 0 heav54 ,8 lips w\ld move
 b no s\nd 0 he>d4 ,! s\nd 0 he>d 9     
heav51 ,i suppose4 ,angels respond$ to !
 call ( t little *ild ( ,god4 ,on       
,friday morn+1 ev5 be=e ! rays ( morn+  
light began to come1 8 _s 0 borne away  
to be ) ,jesus 9 ! heav5ly l&4  ,9 !    
morn+ ,bessie's papa 0 sitt+ by h]      
b$side1 look+ sadly on ! little =m ( 8  
only *ild4 ,papa1 %e said :y don't y h !
 door op5 9 ,*>lie's room8 ,he'll be s  
lonely ) ! door %ut4 ,b he made no      
reply4 ,papa1 %e cont9u$ :y d y /ay "h )
 me8 ,take c>e ( ,*>lie4 ,i'm afraid    
he's go+ to die4  ,little by little h]  
papa told h] !n1 all ab\t x1 & %e ba!d  
h] fev]$ pill[ ) h] te>s4  ,! doctor    
came4 ,he knew ! fact )\t be+ told1 & he
 sat d[n & wept4  ,sunday1 ,*>lie's     
little =m 0 laid away to re/ 9 ! cemet]y
 at ,waynesboro4 ,& at ! same "t :5 t   
sorr[ful little company 7 j\rney+ ?i!r1 

! little read]s ( ! ,"y ,disciple 7     
read+ 8 lett] all ov] ! l&4 ,! lett] is 
giv5 bel[1 b we w add ! date1 n ! date t
 x 0 writt51 b ! date x 0 read1 ! date (
 8 burial4  ,8 life is clos$ 9 ?is _w1 b
 ! influ5ce ( x w g on =ev]4 ,?ree dates
 w tell ! /ory ( t life4          ,bir?1
 ,m>* #ca1 #ahhj4        ,second ,bir?1 
,nov4 #bg1 #ahib4      ,borne to glory1 
,m>* #aj1 #ahic4   ,,! ,,lett]4         
,r+gold1 ,md4    ,m>* #ab1 #ahic4       
,our family consi/s ( a de> k9d papa &  
mama1 si/] ,bessie     & myself4 ,we all
 att5d *ur* & ,sunday-s*ool regul>ly4   
,our     ,sunday s*ool has clos$ = ?is  
season1 b w op5 aga9 9     ! spr+4 ,papa
 & mamma & myself are memb]s ( ! ,bre?r5
     *ur*4 ,i am twelve ye>s old4 ,i am 
/udy+ h>d to get a good     education1 &
 ,i hope to gr[ up to be a good man2 &  
:5 ,bro4     ,w4 ,b4 ,/ov] goes to      
,india1 ,i feel z ?\gh ,i w\ld l to g   
out to him 9 8 mission>y "w4 ,i w close 
n[ by ask+ an     int]e/ 9 ! pray]s (   
all ! fai?ful4    ,*>lie ,m>t9 ,newcom]4

     ,,*apt] ,,viii4  ,,bessie4   ,f\r  
weeks aft] ! close ( ! life ( h] little 
bro!r1 ,bessie 0 able to be out ( b$ &  
ar\nd ab\t ! h\se once m4 ,) ! return ( 
h] heal? grew h] anxiety = ! *ur*4 ,& 9 
a comp>atively %ort "t1 ,bessie 0       
receiv$ into ! *ur* by baptism4 ,%e 0 b 
a m]e *ild1 'tis true1 & t is :at %e is 
yet4 ,b :at is to be done ) ! *ildr58   
,is ! *ur* n = !m8 ,did ,*ri/ n die =   
!m8 ,does all ! _w exclude *ildr58 ,:at 
does 9 signify1 9 br++ up *ildr5 9 !    
,"l8 ,:at does come mean1 :5 ! ,savior  
says ,suff] ! *ildr5 to come unto me1 & 
=bid !m n8 & :at is ! mean+ ( ^? la/    
?ree words8  ,9 ! ,antietam *ur* 7 a    
good _m good ,*ri/ians :o look$ r       
d\btfully on ! "q ( *ildr5 9 *ur*4 ,!   
little girl spok5 ( 9 ! beg9n+ ( *apt]  
five 0 ! fir/ ( ! *ildr5 9 t            
congregation to jo9 ! *ur*4 ,o!rs       
foll[$1 & :5 ,*>lie di$ 9 ! *ur*1 all 7 
s mu* rejoic$ 9 8 triumphant fai?1 t !  
matt] 0 practically no long] a "q at    
all4 ,v _m little ,*ri/ians n[ br+      

bless+ to ! congregation1 & !y are (t5 !
 be/ 9 ! family to :i* !y may belong4   
,i que/ion$ ,bessie ! o!r day to le>n m 
( h] pres5t position1 n[ t %e is 9 !    
*ur*4 ,i w give to all1 ! b5efit ( h]   
good answ]s4  ,h[ old are y1 ,bessie8   
,t5 ye>s4  ,"s p ?9k t5 ye>s is too "y  
to be a memb] ( ! *ur*4  ,i don't ?9k s4
  ,:y8  ,because ,i ?9k !y c d "r j z   
good z old] p4  ,:5 7 y baptiz$8  ,la/  
summ] 9 ,july4  ,h[ d y "k t y love     
,jesus8  ,because1--well1 ,i j "k x4    
,suppose sometime y %\ld s91 !n :at8    
,i'd j pray to ,god to =give me4  ,are y
 sure ,he'd =give y8  ,yes sir4 ,!      
,bible says s4  ,h[ does x come y did n 
want to wait till y grew up1 l _m o!rs  
d8  ,because ,i might die & n be sav$4  
,suppose at s*ool "s ( ! o!r s*ol>s     
tease y1 !n :at8  ,i w\ldn't say no?+4  
,h[ long did y want to jo9 ! *ur* be=e  
la/ summ]8  ,o1 ,i (t5 ?\ght ab\t x4 ,i 
0 "u conviction a good :ile4  ,:at does 
x mean to be "u conviction8  ,well1--&  
,i saw t ,i _h ask$ a h>d] "q ?an ,i    

?\ght4 ,aft] ?9k+ a mom5t %e said1 ,i j 
feel l cry+ all ! "t4  ,:at ab\t1       
,bessie8  ,ab\t ?+s ,i done wrong4  ,:at
 ?+s8  ,o well1 little ?+s 9 s*ool4 ,i'd
 get angry sometimes1 & d wrong ?+s at  
home1 & ,i 0 n v good1 &-&--,i want$    
,jesus to =give me4  ,:at did y want to 
be baptiz$ =8  ,= ! remission ( my s9s4 
,h[ did y le>n to give t = ! reason8  ,i
 read x 9 ! ,bible4  ,are y sure1       
,bessie1 y realize :at y're do+8  ,yes  
sir4  ,h[ (t5 d y pray8  ,e ev5+ & (t5 9
 ! day "t4  ,d y\r p>5ts h family       
wor%ip8  ,yes sir4  ,:at "p d y take8   
,we all read v]se ab\t1 & !n papa &     
mamma take turn ab\t 9 lead+ 9 pray]1 & 
,i always close ) ! ,"l's pray]4        
,didn't any body coax y to jo9 ! *ur*8  
,no sir4 ,*>lie & ,i us$ to talk ab\t x 
a good _m times :5 we 7 by ourselves4 ,t
 0 be=e ei!r ( u 0 conv]t$4  ,n[1 !n1   
are y happy1 ,bessie8  ,yes sir4  ,:at  
are y go+ to d :5 y gr[ up8  ,be a      
seam/ress1 ,i guess4 ,i'd l to be a     
mission>y if ,i c\ld4  ,d y realize a   

*ange ( he>t8  ,yes sir4  ,h[ does x    
seem8  ,x seems nice4  ,b1 ?9k well1 &  
tell me sev]al po9ts :]e9 y are diff]5t 
n[ f :at y 7 be=e y became a ,*ri/ian4  
,i feel m happi]1 &--&--,i love ,jesus  
m1 &--,he loves me m1 &--&--,i don't    
want to d any wrong ?+s1 &--  ,:at w\ld 
y be will+ to d = ! ,"l8  ,mo/ any?+4   
,suppose ! *ur* %\ld ask y to d some?+ y
 did n want to d8  ,i'd j d x4  ,:at "p 
( ! ,bible d y l ! be/8  ,! ,new        
,te/am5t4  ,:y8  ',cause x tells m ab\t 
,jesus4  ,!n ,bessie add$ t %e likes t  
ab\t gre5 pa/ures1 & at once repeat$ !  
entire tw5ty-?ird psalm4  ,*ildr5 9 !   
*ur* is no late idea4 ,*ildr51 ,i mean1 
n babes nor infants4 ,polyc>p1 :o       
aft]w>d 0 bi%op ( ,smyrna1 & a m>tyr1 0 
conv]t$ 9 ! ye> #hj1 :5 he 0 n9e ye>s   
old4  ,ju/9 ,m>tyr says _m1 9 e>ly days1
 became disciples 9 *ildhood & 7        
uncorrupt$ all _! lives4  ,mat!w ,h5ry1 
^: comm5t>y is s highly reg>d$ by all   
,bible /ud5ts1 0 conv]t$ 9 8 elev5? ye>4
  ,isaac ,watts1 ^: hymns ab\nd 9 all   

hymn books1 0 conv]t$ 9 8 n9? ye>4      
,bro4 ,james ,qu9t] 0 conv]t$ :5 he 0   
#ag ye>s old1 & 0 call$ to ! m9i/ry at  
#bb1 & ! pres5t secret>y ( our ,g5]al   
,mission ,bo>d 0 conv]t$ at ! age ( #ab4
 ,& ,i d\bt n1 _m among our be/ work]s 7
 conv]t$ v e>ly 9 life4  ,ye/]day ,i    
receiv$ a lett] f a little *ild j ent]$ 
^u h] n9? ye>4 ,%e says3--,de> bro!r    
,/ov]1 ,i c answ] y\r lett] & say ,i am 
on ! ,"l's side4 ,h[ happy ,i am1 h[ ,i 
w\ld l = y to h be5 "h :5 ,i 0 baptiz$4 
,i c\ld h>dly wait till ! "t came4 ,i h 
got :at ,i h be5 wi%+ = two ye>s1 & t is
 to "w = ! ,"l4 ,i g to pray] meet+1 &  
always try to h a v]se4    ---- ----4   
,*ildr51 too (t51 d n receive all !     
cr$it !y des]ve 9 "s directions4 ,9 a   
little book on ! ,conv]sion ( *ildr5 !  
foll[+ incid5t is giv54 ,a fa!r 0       
reprov+ 8 son = n giv+ att5tion to !    
s]mon4  ,fa!r1 ,i he>d all ! m9i/] said4
  ,i d n believe x4 ,y 7 gaz+ all ov] ! 
*ur* dur+ ! s]vice4  ,b1 fa!r1 ,i he>d  
all ! m9i/] said4  ,i _c believe x1 = x 

seem$ to me y h>dly look$ at ! prea*]2  
y\r eyes 7 (t5] fix$ ^u ! raft]s ?an !  
pulpit4  ,b1 fa!r1 ,i did he> all he    
said1 & ,i c tell x to y4  ,let me he> y
 try x4  ,he !n began & a/oni%$ 8 fa!r  
by giv+ ! text1 ! heads ( ! s]mon1 & mu*
 t 0 9 x4  ,i decl>e1 y did he> ! s]mon 
aft] all4  ,i told y ,i did1 fa!r1 & n[ 
,i c tell y exactly h[ _m raft]s !re are
 9 ! ro(1 = ,i c\nt$ e "o ( !m dur+ !   
s]mon6  ,! ,"l ,jesus told ,pet] to fe$ 
,8 %eep1 b be=e t ,he said1      ,,fe$  
,,my ,,lambs4   ,,! ,,end4              
,transcrib]'s ,note     99 ,spell+ &    
punctuation errors h be5 correct$4    99
 ,text enclos$ betwe5 equal signs 0 9   
bold face 9 !   orig9al 7bold74