WARD TEACHING INCIDENTS IN THE COTTAM HOME

Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection.

(This material was told by Emma Jarvis Cottam McArthur, daughter of Thomas and Emmaline Jarvis Cottam, to Nellie McArthur Gubler, eldest grandchild of the Cottams.)

Part 3:

WARD TEACHING INCIDENTS IN THE COTTAM HOME

When the Ward Teachers came each month, it was the custom for them to pray with the family and some of prayers were pretty well drawn out. One time when Brother Joseph Lee was visiting with the Thomas P. Cottam family, he and the family members (all but Brother Cottam who was out of town) knelt in prayer. An old deaf man (Dr. Russell Chandler, a frequent visitor there) would not kneel with them but sat on a chair across the room. After about fifteen minutes members of the family began to fidget, knowing several duties were calling them. Then "Doc" stood and very innocently looked over the bowed crowd and remarked very loudly, "I'm the prettiest one in the bunch, I'm the prettiest one in the bunch!" Bursts of laughter were forthcoming and then hankies were stuffed into mouths in the attempt to shock the laughter but to no avail. Brother Lee reported the improper conduct to Brother Cottam who replied, "Brother Lee, there is wisdom in all things, you have no right to keep people on their knees so long. Pray only for the necessities of life and for blessings but do not multiply words before our Father in Heaven." It was good advice.

At another time when the Ward Teachers were visiting at the Cottam home supper had just been finished and the table not as yet cleared. The teachers had prayed with the family and delivered their message and sat visiting. Brother Brigham Meacham sat holding his inverted hat between his knees as he chatted. Eva (the baby girl about two years old) very innocently took a cup of milk and unnoticed by all emptied the contents into the waiting hat. The damage was not discovered until Brother Mecham prepared to leave and attempted to place the hat upon his head.

Part 1: LDS CONFERENCES IN UTAH'S DIXIE
Part 2: CONFERENCE TIME WITH THE SANTA CLARA PEOPLE

Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, WPA Federal Writers' Project Collection.

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