Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-02-15
MY First TIE importance Lecture.
Written for the TRANSCRIPT.

Written for the TRANSCRIPT. .
My father having failed in business, l
was obliged to leaye school and go to
work. Though I was eighteen years old,
knew nothing about work. However
had good education and thought
would try teaching school, so wrote 10
friend of mine that lived in Dakota,
comming summer. l could have had a
school nearer my home. but if had to
come down to hard work and poverty.
did not want to be among those who
had always known me as daughter of
wealthy merchant. soon received an
answer to my letter, which stated that
my friend had secured me school and
good boarding place. My school was to
commence the first of April. 1t was now
the latter part of March and began to
pack up and get ready for my journey.
1t was beautiful morning that bid
my friends adieu and started for Dakota.
After riding five hundred miles l arrived
at the little town of --, and there at
the depot met Mrs. Hill, the lady was
to board with. llked.her very much,
and after few words we were seated in
a big wagon, drawn by yoke of oxen.
and started tor my new home which l
found to be little log house, comforta-
BILE and quiet.
After night of rest arose to begin
my school. On reaching the school
met boy of about IA years, who told
we his name was Guilbert Vaughn. and
that he was going to be one of my schol-
ars. He was smart boy, but had to
miss great deal of his school. for his
father was a rum-seller and he had to
help sell liquor. One morning Guilbert
came to school, and noticed that his
face was flushed, his eyes were red and
dull and the strong oder of alcohol was
in his breath. I knew he was started on
the road to ruin. He was not alone for
most all the boys of that neighborhood
were further on the road than Gullbert
I saw there was great need of temperance
work being done in this place, and de-
clared l would do something in regard to
the matter. Ispoke to Mrs. Hill about
it and she thought it an excellent plan.
The next morning told Guilbert that I
was going to speak on temperance and
the gospel. the next Sunday afternoon at
the school house. I told him l wanted
him to come and to invite all his friends
He said he would like to come and would
tell his friends about the meeting.
1t was beautiful Sabbath. afternoon;
the air was mild and pleasant, and there
was large attendance, made up mostly
of the irreligious and drinking class of
society. and among them was Guilbert
Vaughn and his father. I Twas Informed
that Mr.. Vaughn was noted for profanity
and indulgence in strong drink, and a
strong prejudice against christian pro
fessers. He would not allow his children
to attend Sabbath schoo or any kind of
service in church. but the idea of having
meeting in their little school house and
the school teacher to be the preacher
seemed to amuse him and he said, Il will
go over a little while for the fun of it. -
After some opening service of reading
and prayer, spoke from the third of
John: Except a man be born again, lie
cannot see the kingdom of God" and
impressed upon the people the necessity
of being reconciled unto Him IN the par
don of their sins, through faith in Jesus
Christ, and know of that new birth as a
personal experience When Mr.. Vaughn
; returned home he told his wife that he
felt as if the preaching was all for him
and if there was any truth in the gospel
and what he had heard that day. he
wanted to experience the forgiveness of
his sins, and to be born again before he
died, and requested Bible, that he
might read about it himself. AS they
had none his wife borrowed testame Mt
of one of their neighbors. He would
read portions of it and then pray for the
forgiveness of his sins and that he might
be born again. He became joyful and
happy and told his wife that he knew
what it was to be born again. MY meet.
ing had the desired effect. and was in.
vited to hold my meetings in Mr.. Vaughn's
parlors. This continued until my school
was out and returned to my home.
Two years later l went back. Mr..
Vaughn was dead. Mrs. Vaughn told
nae he died happy, religious man. and
remarked that there was something
about it that she did not understand. that
could have caused him to feel so dis
tressed after attending that meeting and
then become so happy. Guilbert was
president of temperance society in that
town, that started from the roots of my
temperance and religious meeting. X