How such harrowing experiences try the very soul of the over-worked, half-paid, care-worn man of God, who must spend all his time and strength away from home in some obscure field! They test the material that enters into his composition. To put the Cross and sinful souls before one’s own family requires great faith—faith in the Redeemer, faith in his church, and faith in the winning, victorious power of the gospel; and this is what every itinerant in West Virginia had to have. To indicate the nature and work of our preachers’ institute. I return to my diary and give the items of a few days. July 9.—“At home preparing for institute which meets to-morrow.” 10.—“Went to Smithton, and took charge of institute. Rev. H. T. Athey assisted some. Lessons were in Old Testament history and homiletics. Revs. H. T. Athey, H. R. Hess, R. M. Hite, G. A. Davis, J. P. Piggott, and W. H. Albert were present.” 11.—“Met at 8 a. m. Recitations. Hess gave a talk on the ‘Apocalypse.’ Davis preached at 7 p. m. Good sermon.” 12.—“Recitations as usual. Davis made an address on ‘Prayer.’ Good. Hite read a paper on ‘Fore-ordination.’ Discussed. Piggott preached well at night.” 13.—“Recitations as usual. I read a paper on ‘Divorce and Adultery.’ Also presented a diagram of Solomon’s Temple. Hess preached. Good meeting.” 14.—“Sunday. I preached at 11 a. m. Large crowd in grove. Good liberty, and good attention. Athey preached at 3:00 p. m., and did well. Returned home.” The records of a few days immediately following may also be of interest. 24.—“Drove with my family to father’s, fifteen miles distant.” 25.—“Started for Hessville quarterly. Drove thirty-seven miles to Father Mason’s.” 26.—“Drove to Bee Gum Station fifteen miles further east. Good meeting in afternoon. Preached at night.” 27.—“Sunday. Discoursed at 10:30 a. m. on ‘The New Testament Church.’ Preached again at three o’clock on ‘Benevolence and Honesty.’ Led song service. Drove fifteen miles back to Brother Mason’s.” 28.—“Left at 6 a. m. and drove thirty-seven miles to father’s.” But it is needless to further reproduce here the jottings made long years ago. The brief memorandum given is but a fair index to the activities of the entire twelve months, or, I might say, to the forty-eight months spent on the district. CHAPTER VIII. Buckhannon was again the seat of conference, and was in charge of Bishop Weaver. This was his last visit to West Virginia. My district reported about 600 conversions and accessions to the church. The average salary for the pastors of the conference was $230. After paying house rent and car fare, I had $365.79 left for the support of a family of five, and with which to purchase books, papers, and stationery; but I did not complain; it was more than the average circuit-rider was getting. On this little sum we seemed to live fairly well, and imagined ourselves as respectable as anybody in the town.