| PAGE |
| Preface | 3 |
| Introduction | 4 |
| CHAPTER ONE |
| Ancestry—Picture of pioneer life—Imprisonment and release of Pompey Smash—Little Jack’s short-cut in the study of astronomy—The fate of his first pair of breeches | 9 |
| CHAPTER TWO |
| The tragic death of the father—Removal to Parke County—School Days—Conversion—Change of church relationship—A remarkable providence | 23 |
| CHAPTER THREE |
| Call to the ministry—First sermon—The boy preacher—Answering a fool after his folly—Turning a camp-meeting tide—Quieting a skirmish—Takes a wife | 39 |
| CHAPTER FOUR |
| Conference membership—Brulitz Creek ministry—The modern knight and his steed—Abrupt closing of family devotions by a dog-on-the-preacher—An original marriage ceremony—A case of mistaken identity—A banner missionary collection—Shawnee Prairie pastorate—A cold day in April—The redemption of Hell’s Half Acre—Baiting for a perverse fish—An experience in the whisky business | 51 |
| CHAPTER FIVE |
| Six months at Rainsville—A hot-bed of Southern sympathizers—A mix-up with saloon men—A sermon on slavery—Fire and brimstone—An antagonist outwitted—A sermon from the book of Newgent—Can any good thing come out of Rainsville? | 70 |
| CHAPTER SIX |
| The war spirit in Indiana—Breaking up a traitorous plot—Narrow escape from enemies—Assists in securing recruits—Becomes chaplain of his regiment—Exchange of courtesies with a Presbyterian minister—An embarrassing predicament—Saves his regiment from capture—Organizes military church—Chased by Johnnies—An exciting homeward journey | 80 |
| CHAPTER SEVEN |
| Plants the United Brethren banner in Terre Haute—Prairieton pastorate—Difficulty with the sons of Anak—A prayer without an “Amen”—Another community redeemed—Going to the wrong doctor—A perverse colt—An unintentional immersion—One sermon that was not dry | 98 |
| CHAPTER EIGHT |
| The New Goshen pastorate—An old grudge healed—Dry bones revived—Memorable year at “Dogtown”—“Death in the pot”—The Hittites captured—The “Jerks”—Other remarkable demonstrations—A rooster in the missionary collection—First debate—Unpleasant sequel to a horse trade | 111 |
| CHAPTER NINE |
| Labors at Mattoon, Illinois—A persistent campaign and a great victory—Second New Goshen pastorate—A coincidence—Success at Prairieton—Laboring in the shadow—The death of Mrs. Newgent—A bishop’s tribute to her character | 131 |
| CHAPTER TEN |
| First great debate—The debate as an institution—The challenge—Opponents get weak-kneed—Prolonging maneuvers—A hungry multitude unfed—Battle begins—Questions discussed—An improvised creed for his opponent—A premature baptism—An opponent’s tribute to his genius—Crowning the victor | 138 |
| CHAPTER ELEVEN |
| Subsequent debates—The Owen contest—He got his “Treat”—Opponent’s confession—Dressing “Stone”—A scared Baptist—Invades the Lutheran ranks—Measures steel with Doctor Ingram—Dissertation on infant baptism—Opponent’s early flight—Concludes the debate alone—The Haw debate | 155 |
| CHAPTER TWELVE |
| Perrysville and Centerpoint—Industry rewarded from an unsuspected source—A “slick wedding”—Fruitful labors at Centerpoint—A one-sided union meeting—The doctrine of the resurrection again demonstrated | 171 |
| CHAPTER THIRTEEN |
| Becomes a missionary superintendent—Second marriage—An unexpected welcome—Forms a Quaker friendship—The Spirit moves in a Quaker meeting—A Quaker’s prayer answered—Builds a college—Shows what to do for a dead church—Another tilt on the doctrine of baptism—Conversion of a Dunkard preacher—Turns a great movement in the right direction | 180 |
| CHAPTER FOURTEEN |
| Autumn—The fading leaf—Fruit in old age—His later labors—Present home | 196 |
| CHAPTER FIFTEEN |
| A Character Sketch | 202 |
| CHAPTER SIXTEEN |
| “Lights out,” a dirge of the war | 219 |
