Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-07-26
CONTINUED from last week.
CHAPTER Xxx.

My next appointment was Maquo-
keta Circuit, which at that time was
looked upon as one of the most desir-
able Of it's class in the Conference.
1t included the territory of what has
: since been known as the Elwood and
the Delmar charges. For a change,
/ found three churches and first
class parsonage as my heritage.
There were also four school house
appointments, so / found plenty to
do, but as the churches and school
houses were comparatively near to
each other, the long cold rides | had
been accustomed to on the previous
charges were not required. | was
accorded warm welcome on my
first appearance at the different APP
pointments and was at once made to
feel that / was among friends. Sure
ly, to me, the lines had fallen In
pleasant places.
A Methodist minister who moves
from place to place meets with eX-
periences seldom found in the lives
of other men. At one of the churches
npon stepping down from the pulpit
at the close of my first service. a
benevolent looking old gentleman
came up to me and grasping my
ly hn col
with great apparent sympathy
well, Brother Green, don't be dis
couraged, Brother Miner didn't
preach any better than you do when
he first came here"
The Rev. r. w. Miner, who was
my predecessor had been much be-
loved and deservedly so, for he was
a kind hearted, genial, everyday
sort of man who made friends and
retained them. Between Brother
Miner and myself there sprang up
a friendship which continued until
his death, which took place at Belle
Plaine in 1898. At his request which
was made years before, l conducted
his funeral services, in the presence
of a great congregation, for he had
many friends, and it seemed to me
almost as if | was officiating at the
obsequies of member of our own
family.
that tho old
gentleman was disposed to let me
down easy and was wholly sincere.
It was clear he meant his greeting to
be for my encouragement, though
must say that his way of coming at
me nearly took my breath away,
even with the instant conviction that
though his name was not Nathaniel,
had before me, "An Israelite, in
deed, in whom there was no guile.
And so it proved, for as long as
remained in that country | had nc
better friend than that same artless
brother.
There was at that time residing on
the circuit a considerable number oi
River Brethren, as they were called
a sect of Dunkers or German Bap-
fists, simple, unpretending people
highly respected by their neighbors
because of their honesty and integ-
rity. They were generally quite vel
off financially living in good, com
Portable homes and having large
farms which were always kept in
high state of cultivation. One Of the
peculiar religious ceremonies of the
River Brethren was the washing OF
each others feet in their public gath
erings, a ceremony which never fail
ed to attract large audiences, drawn
together by curiosity and other mo-
tives not, always commendable.
made it rule to attend the meetings
of the Brethren" whenever | could
do so without interfering with my
own work, for / had great respect
for those good people and seldom
failed to get good from their ser
vices.