From the plains to the pulpit

Preface

I send this little volume forth on the ocean of time, trusting it will encourage others amid their sorrows to iook up to Him who hears the prayer of the poor, who guides those who trust Him, who shields those who walk humbly and uprightly before Him while the storm eagle may scream overhead and the dynamite of hell may explode near your feet, still "Have faith in God." Praying that the reading of its pages will prove a blessing to you, and thanking all who have aided me, I am Yours in the Master's service,

J. W. Anderson.

Addicks, Texas, August, 1907.

Table Of Contents

Page Preface 5

Chapter I

Parents and Childhood — Boyhood Home — Moving to Texas. Introduction to Texas Stock — Reminiscences of the War. On the Range — A Death Without Salvation 9-19

CHAPTER II. A Hunters' Paradise Around My Home in Boyhood — Deer

and Buffaloes — Abundance of Game — A Bear Hunt 20-24

CHAPTER III'.

A Stockman's Paradise — Driving Cattle to Market — A Stampede — Securing Meat for the Army — A Cow Camp — Conditions of the Present Time 25-33

Incidents of the Round-up — Narrow Escapes and Dangers.

Roping and Branding Cattle 54-66

Chapter VII

Commencing Work of My Life — Early Impressions — At Baylor University — Incidents of University Life 67-74

Table of Contents. 5

Page CHAPTER VI'II.

Hindering the Lord's Work — Miles, the Army Bridge Builder. Life of the Savior an Example for Preachers — Preaching at Bosque River Association Meeting — Courtship and Marriage — Refuting a Slander 75-89

Some Sore Trials — Move to Mertens — Four Hundred Converts in Meetings — Evangelistic Work — Charges Preferred and Dismissed 108-i 17

Chapter XII

A Trip to the Abilene Country — Incidents on the Way — At the Ranch — Branding Cattle — Hold a Five-Days' Meeting. On the Round-up — A Badger Fight — Uncle Bob Ferguson. Prairie Dogs 1 18-130

CHAPTER Xni.

A Day at High Island — Surprises — A Gravej^ard of Heroes.

Sink Holes— A Gas Well 131-13S

Chapter XIV

The Galveston Storm of September 8, 1900 — Why God Spared Me — Stories of Survivors — Visit to Galveston — Port Bolivar — Relief ..... 136-140

Chapter XV

Back Into the Saddle on Texas Cow Ranch — Making Girths and Fancy Saddles — Buying Horses and Mules and Preaching — A Cattle Drive — Running a Ranch 141-155

6 Table of Contents.

Page CHAPTER XVI.

Shipping Cattle to Market — In St. Louis — A Trip to Indian

Territory— In New Orleans — Points of Interest 156-162

Chapter XVII

A Western Trip — From Houston to Leaky, Edwards County. Beautiful Scenery — The Kaolin Mines — Evangelistic Meetings — Conversions 163-172

Chapter XVIII

What I' Owe— To My Parents— To My Mother— To Writers of Good Books— To My Wife— To My Children— To My Church — To the Idle and Unemployed — To the Blind, Maimed, Deformed and Crippled — To the Uneducated — To the Drunkards — To the Fallen Women — To My Critics — To the Children — To the Sick — To the Stockmen — To the Lives and Many Examples of the Past — To My State 173-200

CHAPTER XIX. Hockley, 1907 — My Boyhood Home — Natives Who Have Won

Distinction and Renown — Only One Minister 201-203

Chapter XX

Why I am a Baptist — Baptism Is Immersion — Jesus Baptized in River Jordan — The Bible Mode of Baptism — Sprinkling Is Not Baptism 204-210

CHAPTER XXL Short Sermon on Eternity 211-214

The opposite picture shows the home of Mr. Wm. Habermacher near Addicks, eighteen miles west of Hous- 'ton. Mr. Habermacher is on his noted saddle-horse, while his wife, children and son-in-law are seated near.

Mr. Habermacher was born near where he now lives, and stated to me in 1896 he had never heard but five or six sermons in his life until he came to one of my meetings, in which his aged mother was converted and united with, my church.

He has lived an upright life and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. This is one of those Texas homes that it does one good to visit. His daughter, Miss Katie, has proved herself a Christian lady of real worth to her community. She felt she must do something for the benefit of her neighbors. Without the aid of any minister, after attending a few of the services where I was pastor, she went to work raising funds to build a church, so they could have preaching near her home. The nice church which now stands just south of the depot shows her faith in her Savior, and as long as the Katy Flyer continues to pass, as long as the people continue to meet to worship Him who hears the prayer of the faithful, her name will live. While she may never have State or National fame, she never will be forgotten by those who now or in the future may live near Addicks. The church stands as her monument. It is our earnest desire that one so young who will do such a work as she has done, will live to perform many more noble deeds in life, and our wish is that many more young ladies will follow her example and lead in some good work for the good of mankind in their own community.

She is an expert with a horse, but she does not believe that ladies should ride like men, but ride saddles like the good women of yore.