“From what my wife tells me, all have had some schooling, but not much for some.”
“I saw her note regarding that. We’ll just take it easy and assess each one. That way when you bring in the permanent teacher, I should have all that information for him or her to move forward.”
The night was quiet except for the occasional baby’s cry. Dr. Turner took a seat on the ground beside Max. “There are so many little ones in this group. I think Judith said there were at least twenty under the age of three.”
“It must be so hard for these people to leave all they knew in Minneapolis for life on the farm.”
“Most grew up on farms. We chose them on purpose because they know what to expect. Quite a few could probably have set this up better than we did. The thing I’m most grateful for is that most had no trouble agreeing not to imbibe in alcohol. That’s part of the agreement, and if they didn’t agree to keep alcohol out, we didn’t accept them.”
“Mr. Flint seems to be the right man for leadership. I heard him discussing a general store that would be set up temporarily like a company store.”
“Yes. He’s had some experience in the past with running his own business. He seemed perfect to head things up here.” Dr. Turner held his hands out to the fire. The evening chill was damp, and Max felt it in his bones.
“I’ve wanted to speak to you about something for a while now.” Max shifted to better see Dr. Turner in the firelight.
“Regarding my daughter?”
Max smiled. “Yes. I love her.”
“I know.” Dr. Turner grinned. “I’ve known for some time. I see the way you look at her and the way she looks at you.”
“Well, I know we’ve only known each other a short time, but I’d like to ask for her hand. We both agree we don’t need to rush into marriage, but then again, we’ve no desire to drag things out either. I have a house for us, and with your permission I’d like Evie to be able to begin making it over the way she would like, including hiring staff. She’ll know best what she wants. The people you’ve lent me are wonderful, but I’m sure she’ll have all sorts of ideas for how she’d like her household to run.”
“No doubt.” Dr. Turner looked back at the fire. “Max, you have my permission, but I also have a request. I’d like for you to attend a weekly men’s Bible study with me. It will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord. That’s going to be the most important thing you can do for yourself. Growing closer to God will help you to weather the storms of married life, and there will be plenty. I know you love her, but there will be times when problems complicate your life together.”
“I’m sure that’s true. Besides, I really want to know God better. I want to understand why Christians believe certain things. I’d also like to know why one denomination does things one way and another goes in a different direction.”
Dr. Turner laughed. “Well, if you figure that out, you might let the rest of us know. Denominations have always seemed to me the best way Satan divides the body of Christ. Man’s viewpoints or interpretations of what they believe to be God’s instruction can cause all sorts of trouble.”
“Then why study the Bible if we’re just going to get it wrong?”
“God shows Himself throughout His Word. We read the stories of old and see how God interacted with His children. We see how throughout the Bible Jesus was the hope to come. There are people even now arguing the validity of the Scriptures,but you know I feel confident that God being God ... well ... He’s able to make His truth clear through those inspired works. The Bible is God-breathed, and I won’t see it any other way. It’s been my experience that as I study it and really think about the things Jesus said, or God inspired someone else to say, I’m better able to live in a way that I know is pleasing to God.”
“That makes perfect sense to me,” Max agreed.
Dr. Turner stood. “I think ultimately, even with mankind’s way of looking at things differently, the important thing is that we recognize who Jesus is and acknowledge that He’s the only way to reconciliation with God the Father.”
Max felt certain Evie’s father was right. He rose and nodded. “I can agree with that. It sits right with my spirit. And I would be proud to attend a Bible study with you. You’ve helped me in so many ways, Dr. Turner, and I promise you that I will love your daughter for all my days.”
20
It was amazing what had been accomplished in less than ten days. It had been decided that simple three-room houses would be created. The family houses were rectangular in shape, with one main living space and two bedrooms. A larger, dormitory type building was being built for the bachelors, positioned closer to the farm’s outbuildings. It had an area for sitting and reading or playing checkers and a walled-off area for sleeping. So far, the men were sleeping on the floor, but Evie’s father had promised cots were on their way.
Max was nervous as the children filed into the common building and the classroom he and Evie had set up. Evie was helping him group the children together according to grade. Out of the thirty students, most were in the lower grades. Only five were older than thirteen, and of those, two were sixteen. Max liked that he could group those two together and even get their help from time to time with the younger children. Both were young ladies and had told him how much they loved school. They were perhaps also a little infatuated with their handsome teacher, Evie had told him with a laugh.
Max walked to the head of the room. “Everyone needs to take their place at the tables. Sit in your assigned groups, please.”
He waited until they were seated. “I’m Mr. Garrison, and the woman who helped you at the door is Miss Turner. If you have trouble remembering my name, you may call me Teacher.” Max moved a little closer to the first table, where the youngest of the group were sitting. “I want all of you to be good about helping each other. It’s important when living in a place like this to understand the importance of working together.”
One of the little boys raised his hand. Max nodded. “Yes, what is it?”
“What happened to your arm?”
Max motioned to his sling. “I have a broken collarbone. That’s the bone that is right here.” He drew his hand across the top of his shoulder.
“How’d you break it?” the same boy asked.
“I was in the bad fire. The same one that destroyed your houses. Part of the roof caved in and hit me. It broke my collarbone and left me with some burns, but I’m healing fast and doing just fine.”
