In 1910 when we moved to our
homestead in northeastern Colorado,
there were no churches for many miles around. My parents welcomed any Sunday
School worker or minister who visited in our community. They entertained him in
our home so that he might hold church services in a nearby schoolhouse.
On one occasion an evangelist held
a series of meetings that were well attended. Several young people made a
profession of faith at those meetings.
The desire of the new converts for
the rites of baptism created a need for a place to hold the baptismal service.
My father had a large concrete water tank which he used to hold a reserve
supply of water for the stock tank in the corral. He offered this tank for the
ceremony. There was no other suitable body of water.
The sacrament took place on a
pleasant Sunday afternoon. People came from miles around. Those who were
participating came with their families; others came who were anxious to witness
the ceremony for many had never had such an opportunity before. It was a time
of togetherness.
The tank with the water partially warmed
by the sun became a dedicated font for this occasion. How well I recall the
minister, standing in the water, and the group of young people, which included
my sister and myself, going up the improvised steps and down into the water to
be immersed.
Most of the group have passed on,
but for those of us who remain the event has special significance because it
was an early step in our spiritual journey through life.
Ruby Bigelow
Grandview, Washington
Back in 1955 a call went out from the editors of the
then Capper’s Weekly asking for readers
to send in articles on true pioneers. Hundreds of letters came pouring in from
early settlers and their children, many now in their 80s and 90s, and from
grandchildren of settlers, all with tales to tell. So many articles were
received that a decision was made to create a book, and in 1956, the first My Folks title –
My Folks Came in a Covered Wagon –
hit the shelves. Nine other books have since been published in the My Folks series, all filled to the brim with true
tales from Capper’s readers, and
we are proud to make those stories available to our growing online community.