Leaves From An Ozarks Journal

Isabelle, Nancy and John

Jan.1. Nora sick. I prepared breakfast. Mrs. Jarvis funeral service at 1 P.M. at her home. Another service 2:30 P.M. at Macedonia Church. Large audiences. Back home worn out.

Good crowds at Summersville Jan. 3. Called on paralyzed Mr. Richards, a former banker. I read to him from "Unfinished Business," the chapter on Insects. He enjoyed it immensely. He thought I was going to read the Bible.

Enjoyable hour and supper in Bas Gates home, Billy a captain. Bas told me of his liquor experiences--paid $40 for a gallon of whiskey after the War, and sold one quart to Prohibition Officer for $15.

He doesn't send Billy after whiskey since Billy became a Christian. Told me to come back any time without an invitation. Told how angry he and Pap got when Billy made the confession but he decided to let the eleven-year-old boy go ahead. Told how the Baptismal Serve touched him.

Offering of $4.00 for N.B.A., first one in the history of this church. Business meeting. Pastor recalled, if budget can be raised.

Trouble brewing in community because H.S. Bus was used to take pupils to Road Houses after Basket Ball games.

James Holt asked me about considering Houston Church. I preferred they call someone else. Leadership class in Dr. Tilley home. Letter from Elkland asking about pastorate there. Card from Hartville calling for a meeting.

From the Preface, "Leaves From an Ozark Journal, 1937 - 1946"
E.T. Sechler, from whose journal these pages have been condensed, is a retired Christian Church minister. He began his ministry in 1915 and retired in 1957. He is a graduate of Drury College and S.M.S. College in Springfield, MO., University of Chicago and Union Theological Semininary in New York.

He was married to Nora Watson of Rantoul, Ill. in 1923. They have a family of four children and six grandchildren.

Since his retirement they have lived at the family home, 2612 W. Mt. Vernon Street in Springfield, Mo. where he is an active member of Walnut Street Christian Church, Springfield Ministerial Alliance, Ozark Writers Guild, Dallas County Historical Society at Buffalo and takes an active part in Bennett Spring Christian Church Camp. He finds time to visit the sick and inactive members of his church.

These Leaves are a continuation of the book "Leaves From an Ozark Journal, Vol. I, 1927-1936." This book includes the years 1937 to 1946 and are taken from the journal kept by Earl T. Sechler, of his life and works.

The first book could really be called the depression years and this book the war years, but both volumes show the ups and downs of a young minister's life.

Sarah F. Greer

Leaves From An Ozark Journal, July - August 1937

After too long of an interlude, we returned last night to our chronicling of "Leaves From An Ozark Journal", the reminisces of Ozark preacher E.T. Sechler. We pick up from where the bus stopped last night:

Church basement being built at the Houston Church. Delmar and Della Pownall went to Nagle with me. Big crowd here. Glad to meet the Bradford family with whom I stayed overnight in 1929 when preaching at Clear Springs. Very few members at Nagle.
Letter from Vernon Kiess in Colorado. He sent $5.00 to help send youth of Oak Hill to Lindenlure Camp.

July 7, Dr. Fisher's funeral at Plato. Mrs. Johnson's at Pisgah. Lynden James Fisher,1859 - 1937

Nora sick, Lulu doing the housework with Mrs. Maurer helping. To Dallas County, Lulu and Louise stayed in R.B. Turner home in Buffalo.

Services at Lindley, 20 present. Mrs. Haney thought it "unusual to have four young men at church and attentive." Overnight at Haney's. I learned of George Watkins gift of $1,000 for Dallas County work. He sold 98 acres of land near Indianapolis for $300 per acre and now subsidizes the ten Christian Churches in Dallas County $100 each.

Talk with Lulu about father's estate. Grace's estate is to be shared equally. Took Lulu and Louise to Faye Taylor's house for Club meeting.
Made talk at Lynchburg CCC Camp on "What Happens In Prayer." Men attentive.
Full house at Long Hollow services. At home Nora informed me that Lulu wrote Will to advance us estate money. Dr. Tilley absorbed C.E. losses on the Success Picnic stand.

At Camp Aurora I met Mr. and Mrs. Loomis from University of Missouri.Loomis rather socialistic in Rural Church Problems Class. Professor Eckoff disappointed in that the Director of the Camp smokes.
Eckoff reported how in New O'Leans People say they can tell a clergyman--"." Eckhoff thinks Christianity has compromised too much with the world. I agreed.

July 13. At Dave McWilliams for supper. 45 at Evening Shade services. Friedly told me how people there are about ready to go back to a Union Sunday School. More sickness at home.

July 16. A trip to Springfield, Talks with Errett and Lulu. $300 check from Will.

At Houston July 18 the Board reported all bills paid. $50 in the bank. Prosperity returning. Nora and I both sick. Earl Brown drove for me to Oak Hill. A sense of failure experienced.
Dr. Tilley tells me his ambition now it to quit medicine and help his community in school and church. I learned of his $5,000 annual income in years past.

A letter form Bob Crawford at Summersville to come baptize him. Mrs. Crawford ready for baptism also. Tears were shed.

Some hard feelings in Summersville over the question, "Who wrote the card for the liquor inspector to come?" I replied, "I did," but refused to tell who asked me to write it.Reading Dale Carnegie---"How To Influence People."

Baptized Christine Marler Aug.14, 9 A.M. Youth gave Camp echoes at C.E. Aug. 15. Two confessions and baptisms at Houston. Church voted to finish the basement. Clara Creason staying with the children at home.

Leaves From An Ozark Journal -- May - June, 1937

It's been awhile since we've shared anything from E.T. Sechler's Leaves From An Ozark Journal. Picking up where the bus stopped last:

Trip to Illinois home May 10-12. Mrs. Watson very sick with cancer. L.P. Jarvis very sick. He died May 17th. Big crowd and four preachers at his funeral May 18th. I wrote his obituary and learned L.P.'s father was a preacher, too. A cousin, Anna Jarvis, was the founder of Mother's Day. L.P. Jarvis was buried in Pisgah by the side of his first wife. L.P. hoped one of his sons would be a preacher. L.P. was a pioneer preacher in Texas Co. Seven years pastor at Plato.
Rural Preachers Institute at Camp Aurora in Dallas County--17 preachers present. Drake, Eckhoff, Werner, Todd, Burger, L.V. Brown, Crance, Millard, Waterman, Welty, etc.

Talk with a man who had left his family to live with another woman. I was told to keep my _ _ _ nose out of his business. I asked him to see his wife and settle troubles out of court.

Soon I called on two men who said to me, "You never make people angrey." To this I replied, "You wouldn't have thought so had you seen me five minutes ago."

Churches helping to send Mrs. Gourley to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. I took her on my way back to Rantoul May 24.
Reading "J.B. Larimore and his Boys." Leland Gourney a guest in our home May 29-30. He still keeps preaching in mind but plans to specialize in journalism at U. of Oklahoma.

Preached at Houston May 30 --four additions, there of which were confessions. Sermon, "Memorials of Christianity." (1)Sunday (2) Lord's Supper (3) Lord's Burial--Baptism.

Committee reported Church Budget over subscribed. Building Committee appointed. Good crowd at baptizing at Brushy Creek. L.V. Brown pleased at his call as pastor at Stoutland. Finished Leadership Class in Dr. Tilley home.

June 1st a registered letter calling me for Mrs. Beaumont' funeral

June 2. 120 people at Plato Amateur Contest. Earl Smith won third place.

At the funeral June 3 for Mrs. Beaumont I met her sisters and professor Byrnes from Milligan, Tennessee.

More Socials and Ice Cream Parties at Houston and Oak Hill in behalf of Lindenlure Camp Fund. At Summersville 18 families of 26 in membership represented.

My first trip to Eminence June 7. A side trip to Round Spring. At Arroll there was a large crowd for the Ice Cream Social, Music and Games.
June 8. I was subpoenaed to appear in Court at Houston as a witness. E.E.Moffat with me. The courts seemed shocked when I qouted the words of the defendant in the case.

Reading "Behavioristic Psychology" by Karl Stolz, Pastoral Psychology is worthy of several quotes:
"Good preaching so searches and finds the individual that he is moved to appeal to the pastor for private aid" p.24.
"Unification of the individual depends on continued reconstruction of personality" p.26.
"To praise a child is to put him on his mettle" p.31.
"Balanced personality is characterized by emotional stability," p.37. "Listen to child's own explanation" p.45. "Blaming others for our misfortunes is an infantile attitude." p.105. "In our competitive social order, an adequate income is one of the most effective builders of self-esteem" p.143. "Play and recreation destroy fears," p.153. "Only when people like us can we them good" p.235.

June 13 call came for two funeral to be held on June 14---J.T.Dixon and Mrs. S.T. Sillyman. Mr. Dixon's funeral at Pisgah, then to Emory Chapel for Mrs. Sillyman's service.

Lulu Lunte visited in Springfield June 17 where we visited one hour and then drove to Prairie Grove for the Ice Cream Social. Near 100 at High Prairie next night.

Lulu with us at Plato and for the Success Picnic later.

At Big Creek Singing Convention I met several people from Nagle and made a date to preach there July 5.

Three cars helped bring children to Plato Vacation School. 87 enrolled. Average attendance 67. Six Sunday Schools cooperated.

At Oak Hill Ailene Britzman made the good confession. Offering $5.37.

On June 27 Lulu, Virgil and Errett's came for church at Plato. A great family reunion. Nora and I celebrated our fourteenth wedding anniversary. Mary McGuire baked a cake for us. Forty Children gave a Program at night.

Church Board voted to invite Guy Howard of Cross Timbers to fill pulpit third Sunday in July.

Lulu gave each of our kiddies a dollar and got us new linoleum for our front room.

The Pop Stand at Success Picnic failed us. I saw three drunk men there, two of whom were my friends. I took a cold pop drink with them. Lulu was horrified over my friends. "What will people say?"

At Summersville I told H.H. Richards, "not what happens to us but in us," is of first importance.

More Leaves From An Ozark Journal --- April / May 1937

April 16. Called on E.C. and learned E.C. Jr. and Billy Sechler won gold medals in the Nevada Music Tournament. At Charity I learned that Ralph Burtin won Oratorical Contest and four medals in H.S. Overnight at Loftin's.

At Springfield, Virgil helped me trade my car for a 1934 Studebaker, $340 difference.
Apr. 18 preached at Sunnyside. 21 present. Closing the pastorate at Stoutland in order to preach at Houston. A very happy pastorate.

Apr. 21 at Long Hollow. 69 people present and seven cars. Eight years ago when I preached here, there were 68 people and no cars except my own.

Texas County Ministerial Alliance met at Houston April 26. I reviewed Tolstoi's book, "My Religion." His doctrine of pacifism and abolition of civil courts set preacher--into a fifteen minute explosion.

Committee appointed to see County officers about what can be done about Roadhouses.
April 28. A-C-E Social at Plato Gym. 100 present. Raised money to send two delegates to Lebanon Convention.

Next day left with Erret for Aurora Convention--32 preachers and over 100 other delegates. I met F.E. Smith who came to me and told me Relief was allowed to S.T. Sims. A good talk by M.T. Pope on Tithing. Lindenlure Camp advertised, faculty meeting called with Vere Rogers present. Virgil Havens of Africa on the program. District Board drifting into Urban control. Convention goes to Rolla in 1938.

At Summersville I objected to the druggist selling whiskey to one of my alcoholic friends. The druggist put the bottle back on the shelf. A frank talk with Mr. and Mrs. ------- telling them they were too high type people to be in this business. They soon sold the store and I baptized both of them. Another alcoholic friend once had $36,000 checking account. Now he is bankrupt.

May 2. Big rain on tis Sunday. Earl Smith and I water-bound. We studied S.S. lesson in my car. First time in years to miss S.S. Only 21 at Summersville and 26 in Plato S.S.

Preached Baccalaureate Sermon at Plato.

Finished reading "God in a Rolls Royce," a story by Father Divine.
Dr. Tilley gave $50 more to Plato Church Building Fund.

May 6. Made talk at CCC Camp. On next Sunday 140 people at church at Plato---40 were CCC boys. Mothers Day Program.

Near 200 persons at Prairie Point for Basket Dinner and County Meeting. Six churches represented. J.H. Jones failed to come. Forty delgates from Plato in Mase Reardon truck. Hade Arnold said we had one accident--"an accident we didn't get stuck." Eighty people at Plato 8 P.M. Chaplain McAfee preached sermon, "Highway to Happiness."

For previous installments of Leaves From An Ozark Journal, click here.

More Leaves From An Ozark Journal

Frequent bus riders will recall the first installment of Leaves From An Ozark Journal. We pick up where we left off.

On Jan. 5 Dr. Tilley deposited $300 for church building fund. Others gave smaller sums. Twenty men signed for donated labor.

Jan. 7. Helped provide clothes for W.P.A. family of eight children. Another family in need--14 people living in three rooms. Warm discussion over causes of War, in Moffatt store. Some favor killing the leaders of war first.

Sleet and ice Jan. 9--no one for church, few people in town. Grace makes new sentences--"Daddy, tie my shoe." Takes off her shoes and goes bare-footed. Tries to count. David trying to write.

Reading "Pathfinder" and pamphlet on Ozark Christian College. Hardly twenty families at church Jan. 10. Canvass report showed 1937 budget pledged; 78 days of donated labor pledged for S.S. Annex. Reading Jan '37 "Reader's Digest."

Jan. 11 at Houston to hear Supt. Tate at United Dry Forces meeting-13 present. Local option by counties the next step.

Mrs. Beaumont gave me a three volume set of Br. Heaumont's "Evenings with the Bible" by Isaac Errett.

Several workdays at church this week. Some joke when Otto McLaughlin's dynamite took a plank out of the church house floor and damaged the ceiling.

Half the people sick with flu at Stoutland. No one came to Sunny Side Service. Twelve present at Friendship, seven went in my car. Could allow myself to get discouraged.

Jan. 18 in Hartville meeting. Roomed in the Carter house. Aunt Mary, 81 years of age, liked to talk to Todd and me.

Many calls in homes and schools. Marion Palmer, strong in the faith, turned from the Baptist faith forty years ago in a Giddens vs Baptist debate.

Seventy-five at church one night, only 14 the next night when the blizzard came.

Todd and I in our room talked until midnight. He told of baptizing one man, no others present, both were nude.

Met Perry Rainey family. Mr. Rainey is Vocational Ag teacher. Supper in Rainey home. Church cancelled on account of weather.

Still More Leaves From An Ozark Journal

The continuing saga of Leaves From An Ozark Journal.

Jan. 24. Snow and flu, 17 at S.S. and church. 17 at C.E. Roads dangerous. Schools dismissed because of bad roads yet I drove to Houston for County Board Meeting.

Jan. 25. About sick with flu. Reading Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." Horrible reports of floods on Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. David sick with flu. Nora next. Quite a job to cook and care for the kiddies.

Jan. 29. Lois down with flu. David up. Schools dismissed. No sleep on Saturday night, flu had me. Spent Sunday in bed and missed Houston date. No S.S. today, all families sick. Nellie doing chores for us.Ohio River overflowing its banks in Louisville, Kentucky, January 1937.

More Leaves From An Ozark Journal: "Garden Of Allah"

Leaves From An Ozark Journal:

March 8, I spent one hour with L.P. Jarvis getting his biography.

Mar. 10, At Houston for Teaching Mission. C.C. Keller addressed a big H.S. audience 1-2 P.M. Holloway talked. Harry Smith presided.

Mar. 11, Twenty-five CCC boys came to Plato C.E. Social and working. A big help. Called to Houston for Ben Meadows funeral.

Mar. 16, attended movie at CCC Camp. Nora's first movie in five years. "Garden of Allah," the film.

Grace afraid of Mickey Mouse, her first movie. She screamed, put her hands over her eyes and went to sleep. Grace awoke in the night, trembled with fear, said a cat was "in her bed"--impressions of the movie on her mind. Hope it has no nervous consequences.

Leaves From An Ozark Journal: Virgil Has A New Studebaker

Feb. 1. I got up and milked the cow. Mail brought $5 check from Oak Hill boys who are working in Bingham, Utah copper mines. I had written them in November.

Robert Harris, Jr. and Novella brought us warm dinners. Virgil and Everett called one hour. Virgil has a new Studebaker. Reading "World Call" article on Co-operatives in Scandanavia worth keeping.

Letter from F.E. Smith rejecting S.T. Sims for Ministerial Relief. By mistake he mailed me E.C. Sechler's back account on Pension Fund and also charged Summersville church with not being in Pension Fund. Smith need to make investigation. Three from Texas County given Relief, yet S.T. Sims has done more for the cause than any of us. Nora objected to my letter to F.E. Smith so I didn't mail it.

Grace singing "Happy, happy shall I be--When I learn my ABC." Esta Jo reading her fourteenth book, she says.

Gave Leland Gourtley a catalog of Union Theological Seminary and told him I wanted him to go there later.

Mrs. Finn sent me to the Hotel as her dinner guest. When I gave the envelope to the Hotel landlady it proved to have pills in it instead of money. Mrs. Finn said I could tell Roy Wall but no one else--"They would tease me too much."

Church house to be stuccoed. Borrowed some "Reader's Digests" from Mr. Richards.

"Half of Summersville was drunk Saturday" -- Mrs. Finn

More Leaves From An Ozark Journal, a "warmly human account of a young minister's experience among the people of the Missouri Ozarks in the era of the Great Depression," --Dr. R. M. Pope.

Wedding 10:30 AM, Mar. 17. Della and Delmar. May Hicks with them. Planned shower for them at L.M. Scott home.
Baptized Melvin Mayfield in Boone Creek 4:00 P.M. Just two present, Melvin and I. Fine supper in Mayfield home.

People pleased with E.E. Davison, two confessions. March 24. Lois's Birthday Party. Mr. Signs and Jim Williams powerful workers in excavating for basement in S.S. Annex.
Helen Gourley made confession at Oak Hill Mar. 26. Easter sermon March 28th. 119 people in attendance during the day. $16 added to the Building Fund.

April 4. Call on Mrs. Finn who said, "Half of Summersville was drunk Saturday." Some property destroyed in the jail. Funeral for Mr. Paudling on Monday. Big crowd.
Plato building program progressing.

Attended C.E. Convention at Ava April 10th and conducted two Bible Conferences using my twelve point method of Bible Study on Hadakkuk and Philemon. Met Miss Reynolds and Earl Johannes of Kansas City. Met Alden Campbell, State C.E. President. Reached home 1 A.M.

A pleasant Sunday at Plato. A letter from Houston calling me for pastor.

Reading Biographies of Scientists.

Letter from Mrs. ----- saying the Lutherans are insisting she have the baby sprinkled. For sake of peace in the home, I advised her to permit it but teach the child later what the New Testament says about baptism.

Leaves From An Ozark Journal, February, 1937: Reading "Fighting Angel" By Pearl Buck

On Feb. 14 Church Board voted to give Saturday night services to some mission point.

Reading "Fighting Angel" by Pearl Buck.

Earl Smith with me to Dallas County, services at High Prairie, overnight in Buffalo in Chester Moffatt home, talked until midnight.

Heard Martin T. Pope's church joke.. 40 per cent of congregation joined church Sunday night, five present and two joined.

Feb. 17 to Prairie Grove, for Will Saxbury funeral. All six children present.

A call on Loren Craig. How he enjoyed Earl's music.

Feb. 20-21 at Stoutland and Friendship. Small attendance. Men working on Plato S.S. Annex, several days in Feb. Spoke at Lynchburg CCC---"Why Jesus Appeals To Me."

E.E. Davison in a meeting at Summersville. Found out he is antin-UCMS.

More Leaves From An Ozark Journal, February, 1937

Feb. 8. Took Logan George and Mrs. Heine to Houston. Louis Heine, 7 years old says I am going to preach at his funeral. Two confessions at Houston.

Feb. 10. Talks with Everett Kieth(sic) and Forest Dunnivin. Forest asked why I didn't put Houston on the Circuit. Giving Lincoln talks to several schools.

Feb. 12. A relief to learn that $300 per year payment by the Illinois forty no longer due--the aged lady died.--