But before I proceed with the story of my life chronologically, let me philosophize and moralize a little as suggested to me by my own experience in both young life and old life.
What, from a worldly, physical, selfish stand point, do you consider,
1. The best thing in this life.
2. The most convenient thing in this life.
Answer: 1. Good weather and good health.
2. Money
What, from any stand-point, do you think is the best
thing in this life?
Answer: Christianity.
What, from any stand-point, do you think is the worst
thing?
Answer: Sin.
Now, in my old age I do not wish to live my life over again, but I can see where I might have done better especially as it relates to the questions above. I might have taken more advantage of the good weather and avoided the bad. I might have taken better care of my health. I might have secured a little more money for the rainy days. I might have wedded myself more closely to Christianity, and have divorced myself more fully from sin.
But I am now in my old age content—am ready, and resting in the hope of the glory that shall be revealed. God is good. My counsel to my children and to all young people for many years has been, briefly stated:
Take care of your health.
Take care of your money.
Take care of your religion.
But, to return to Lindley, Missouri and to the 19th year of my age, I find myself, Dr. Elmore, wife and boy, stopping with my brother Henry and his young family. Brother Henry is nine yeas my senior. He lives to this day. He had, a year or two before, moved to that place.