Later American Ministries—Recruiting in Various Camps

Chapter 16, 1897-1909

An Unsettled Preacher

The life of an unsettled preacher—unsettled, that is, geographically—is by no means an easy one. He is continually separated from his family and from his books and papers. He must travel in all sorts of weather and in all kinds of conveyances; must endure many discomforts in second or third rate hotels; must forego the conveniences of home and many of the joys of neighborliness. He must be ready at all times in sickness and in health to respond to calls for service from those who perhaps have not the considerateness of friendly parishioners. Sometimes he is in danger of being “killed by kindness” from those who would be too lavish in their bounties or too eager to furnish entertainment without rest. But the itinerant teacher and evangelist endures all hardship submissively or joyfully, according to his nature, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. There are at the same time many compensations in such a ministry—the joys of wide service; the eager cooperation of local committees whose enthusiasm might not survive a prolonged pastorate; the many new and priceless friendships formed; the opportunity to repeat the same tested messages to many different audiences; the blessed memories to be stored up for future testimony.

Providential Deliverances

Such were the experiences of Dr. and Mrs. Pierson during the last two decades of his life on earth.