Preachers
About a year ago Bro. C. R. Nichol, Bro. Hayden Mahan and I passed through the beautiful Ozark Mountain section of the state of Arkansas, where the gospel is hardly known. While in that area, Bro. Nichol, in conversation with one of the native residents of the community, learned the name of one man who was a member of the church of the Lord. He decided at once that he wanted to hold a gospel meeting in this section. With the help of others we have been able to get a place for the services, and Bro. Nichol is to be in that community in the very near future to preach the gospel So far as we know only one man lives there who is a member of the church.
I have a letter from Bro. Nichol which, in my opinion, would be good for all preachers everywhere to read. He says, "Thank you for your letter which reached me in Logan, New Mexico, where I am in a meeting. This place has only nine members of the church. Two hundred and fifty people live in the town. It has not been necessary for me to strain my voice to speak and be heard by all who have been at the meeting. Yes, it is a mission work. Two years ago I was in a meeting some miles from here, and some of the members came to hear me preach, and insisted that they needed me to assist them; and I had this as the first opening I had in which I could be with them for a meeting. More easily could I have gone to another place for a meeting at this time, and a place where I would have been supported financially. My rule in my preaching life has been: When a place writes me, or contacts me in any way for a meeting, I tell them the first open date I have. If they accept the date as agreeable for their place, I go, without making any inquiry about the place, the support, or any other matter. Were I thinking about finances only, I would locate with some strong congregation, where the minister is paid a good salary, and he does not have to put up with some of the inconveniences of the man who is constantly in such work as I am doing. No, no, Brother, I am not complaining. I do not mean that. I am glad I can come to places like this and assist them in the work of the Lord."
Would not this letter put to shame the "professional preacher?" Is not the rule of this veteran of the cross a great rule for young preachers to adopt in their preaching life? I have known Bro. Nichol for some twenty years and he has helped me more times than I can number. I know he tells the exact truth concerning his going to mission areas for meetings in the letter quoted above. There are few men among us who are as willing as he is to sacrifice, give their life, suffer the inconveniences that are necessary to go where the truth is not known. To spend and be spent for the sake of the gospel of Christ. When we have more gospel preachers who are of that spirit, we will see the church prosper and make great progress in reaching the untaught millions of earth.