CHAPTER I.

Scotland and England.

When I was a “boy on a farm,” one of my school teachers had a small machine, which was sometimes used to print the names of students in their books.  Somehow I came to want a “printing press,” and after a while I purchased an outfit for fifteen cents, but it was a poor thing and failed to satisfy me.  Accordingly, I disposed of it and spent a larger sum for a typewriter, which was little more than a toy.  This, too, was unsatisfactory, and I sold it.  At a later date, I bought a second-hand typewriter, which was turned in as part payment for the machine I am now using to write this book, and now, after all these successive steps, I find myself possessed of a real typewriter.  I will also mention my youthful desire for a watch.  I wanted a timepiece and thought I would like for it to be of small size.  I thought of it when awake, and, sometimes, when asleep, dreamed that I actually had the little watch in my possession.  Since those days of dreams and disappointments, I have had three watches, and they have all been of small size.

In the same way, several years ago, I became possessed of a desire to see the Land of Promise, the earthly Canaan.  I thought about it some, and occasionally spoke of it.  There were seasons when the desire left me, but it would come back again.  Some years ago, when I was doing evangelistic work in Canada, the desire returned—­this time to stay.  It grew stronger and stronger until I decided to make the trip, which was begun on the eleventh of July, 1904.  After traveling many thousands of miles, seeing numerous new and interesting sights, making many pleasant acquaintances, and having a variety of experiences, I returned to the home of my father on the fourteenth day of December, having been absent five months and three days, and having had a more extensive trip than I had at first thought of taking.  There is a lesson in the foregoing that I do not want overlooked.  It is this:  Whatever we earnestly desire is apt to be worked out in our lives.  Deeds usually begin with thoughts.  If the thoughts are fostered and cultivated, the deeds will probably be performed some time.  It is, therefore, important that we exercise care as to the kind of thoughts we allow to remain in our hearts.  “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. iv. 23).

On the way to New York, I stopped in Washington and saw some of the interesting places of the National Capital.  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where about six hundred persons were engaged in printing paper money and stamps, was visited.  I also went out to the Washington Monument and climbed to the top of the winding stairs, although I might have gone up in the free elevator if I had preferred to ride.  The Medical Museum, National Museum, Treasury Building, the White House, the Capitol, and other points of interest received attention, and my short stay in this city was very enjoyable.