present for you from the saloon people and Catholics of the town; no Christians had anything to do with it," and he handed him $55.50, saying, "You will never lack for a congregation at Hugo.' This money was given in answer to prayer. Our extremity was God's opportunity,

CHAPTER VIII

LAMAR PASTOR'S WIFE-FURNACE OF AF

FLICTION

N MARCH 15th, 1889, Arthur Kent, our first child, was born. No one but God knows the dreadful ordeal through which I passed, or the years of suffering that awaited me from that day. Had I known it before, death would have been preferable. In reading God's word I found He had chosen me in the furnace of affliction. Like the woman spoken of in Mark 5:26, I suffered many things of physicians and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. The babe was six months old, when my husband was appointed pastor of the Methodist church at Lamar, Colorado. He wished me to have the best medical treatment possible, and when he went to his charge he left me at Colorado Springs to be treated by a specialist. Arrangements were made for me to stay several months. After a few weeks, realizing but little benefit from the treatment, I gave it up and went to him at Lamar. He was disappointed, fearing that nothing could be done for me there. I read a number of medical works, searching in vain

for help. After reaching Lamar I contracted a severe cold, and within a few days was in a critical condition and confined to my bed. I could find no comfort anywhere. There were two physicians in the place; one was a moral man, but limited in knowledge and practice; the other, a dissipated man who claimed to be an infidel, and had come there hoping to reform. Though but twenty-eight years old, he had great ability as a physician and surgeon, and was making a specialty of the diseases from which I was suffering. We decided to give him a trial. For two years, without charge, he did everything possible to better my condition, and yet there was only a slight improvement.

The salaries of pastors who preceded us had been largely raised from church festivals that were held at least twice a month; this was appalling. The church people said we would have to pursue the same course. We told them that we would not receive money gotten in this way, which caused much comment and criticism. Some of them said we were making a great mistake and would have to come to it. Others were really indignant. We took it to the Lord in prayer, who confirmed us in our course and assured us that our needs would be supplied.

Nearly three months passed, in which we

received only seven dollars from the church, yet we did not suffer, for the Lord provided for us from other sources.

One day when the indifference of the people sorely grieved us, an unsaved man who occasionally attended church, came to our door. He had been out and secured over four hundred dollars in subscriptions. He said, "I am not a Christian; I was once, though, and I know what true religion is. I see that these church suppers have been a curse to the town. I have been watching you very closely, Mr. White, and appreciate the stand you have taken. No other minister that we have had here has been brave enough to do it. This paper you may turn over to your stewards." Without any effort on our part, the money was brought monthly for our support and laid down in the parsonage during the rest of our stay in the place.

There being no church suppers now to occupy the time and minds of the people, they began to think on their pitiful spiritual condition and to pray for a revival, but a deeplyrooted trouble was in the way. The suppers and frolics had caused a division among the women of the church and some of them were not on speaking terms. One woman was accused of stealing cake and money. In strife for honor, two members of the church ap

peared at a social dressed as Martha Washington, when only one was expected. Husbands and others had taken sides and the outcome was a scandal or two. After much prayer it was decided to gather all the parties involved in a meeting at the church.

It was difficult to get some of the more obstinate ones to come, but they finally yielded and were in their places at the appointed hour. The pastor delivered, in the Spirit, a discourse on the "tongue.' Before he had finished the sisters were weeping. He prayed himself and then called on me to pray. Some one sobbed aloud and a general melting up time followed. Confessions were made and barriers removed, and soon a revival broke out in our midst, forty persons uniting with the church at its close.

It was in this meeting, although weak in body, that the Spirit began to move me to exhort. We had tried hard to get an evangelist to come and help us, but failed. One evening, at the close of the sermon, when the speaker did not have his usual liberty, thought after thought flashed through my mind, and I had a conviction that I ought to get up and exhort the people to come to the altar. Hesitating as it were between two mighty forces, I waited too long and the opportunity was gone. That night sleep went from me and most of the