We hear about:
(i) strange incidents experienced while preaching;
(ii) his good relationships with everyone;
(iii) constant evangelism in conversation;
(iv) organising preaching opportunities;
(v) maxims;
(vi) purchases for family;
(vii) non-pastoral labours.
It was interesting to read about some of the unusual things that happened while Baker was preaching: 'In the course of his labours among all classes of persons, in all sections of the land, incidents would often occur not at all common in the even life of the city pastor. On one occasion, while describing, in the course of a sermon, the exceeding sinfulness of the impenitent, a backwoods hearer arose and withdrew, with a long, shrill whistle of utter incredulity. In the midst of a sermon, on another occasion, the fixed and solemn attention of the congregation was broken by a yawn so long and loud as to make the rafters ring. Promptly and severely was the yawner rebuked by the speaker. He proved to be a preacher of another denomination settled in the place, who took this method of showing his opinion of the preacher.'
Hard to know what to do in such situations, but Baker seems to have taken the right course of action in that last incident.
Commence Chapter 12 (Founding of Austin College - Labours as an evangelist, and as an agent of the college) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'With a heart pained at the destitution he had witnessed in his journeying through Texas, he addressed a letter to the students of Princeton Seminary, dated Galveston, March 2d, 1849, which was published in the New Orleans Presbyterian.'
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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