Taking pencil to his journal, he wrote, "April 22, 1869 - Union Station, Nashville, Tennessee.
The Miami association ordained me at New Town, Christmas, Dec. 25, 1868 - thankful and scared. I'm testing Jesus' teaching about a 'prophet in his own land.' It's been over a quarter of a century since George Rogers did his last fieldwork around here and south. I've wondered a hundred times if he was the preacher I saw on the Fayetteville square forty years ago. Reverend Rexford told me there was a Universalist church in Fayetteville in the late 40's. Must have been Brother Rogers that day in '43. What circles there are! I'm going to try and do what he did, where he did. Lord knows if I can be half of what he was. Those beaten down people in my part of the world surely need the hope of the Universal Gospel - Hope in Salvation - Life in Grace. Prophet or fool? I dare say I'll find out.