Too Tired?

John Mulkey was a restoration preacher who lived from 1806-1882. He did a lot of preaching in mid-southern Kentucky and northern Tennessee. Here is what is was like to go to worship in those days:

“Reader, allow me to offer you a picture, after my own fashion. It is not in the least overdrawn: a week of hard labor in the field has passed away, as many have. He is weary and wayworn, as well as his horse, Dave, for he has only one now. Like his master, he is tired from overmuch work. Breakfast is over, Dave is fed, and bridled and saddled. Bright and early brother Mulkey mounts his faithful horse (for he can now do no better), rides 18 or 20 miles, and reaches the place of preaching. He walks upon the platform, and looks over a large congregation, seated on logs, slabs and chairs, assembled to hear him preach the Word. He takes from his pocket a hymn book, and, announcing the song, sings without lining. The singing is good—and very good. It has thrilled the entire audience. The young, the aged, the middle aged, have been as still as death. Here and there may be seen a father, or mother, it may be, sobbing, as familiar words have fallen upon their ear—words once sung by ‘loved ones,’ whose voices are now hushed forever in the dark valley, where they sleep in peace beneath the shadows of death. The prayer is offered—a prayer full of tenderness and love. How near the petitioner has approached the presence chamber of the Lord of hosts! The text is read, and the sermon has been delivered. It has been a very long one—two hours, or two and a half. You imagine the people are weary. Well, as often as the time comes for meeting in that same neighborhood, the same immense assembly may be seen on the same ground ready to hear the same preacher. Some have come 10 or 15 miles, and having made the good confession must be baptized without delay. This being attended to, the meeting for the day is closed. By this time, the preacher is greatly exhausted; still, he must make haste and start for home; for on the following day, he must follow the plow in the field, to feed those whom God had given him.” (W. C. Rogers, Recollections of Men of Faith).

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them, and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • March 23, 2025