| 782 with a fitness to occupy in the place he did from 1860 onward. No other of those who took active and earnest part in the early days of the Reorganization was so prepared with temporal good, and, at the same time, with willingness. He could not preach, but he had a generous soul within him, a noble heart; and he found and occupied a wider field of usefulness than some who were well gifted with fluency of speech. He had that free nature, that natural hospitality in word and deed which made people welcome in his house and at his table. He caused them to feel at home, even when all the space under his roof was filled to overflowing; for, during the early conferences of the church, he freely turned his hay barn into a dormitory for the brethren and for the 'stranger within his gates.' All were looked after and cared for without any charge.
"And it appeared that he did all that he could, in that important time, to advance the cause of truth and to build up its interests. The elders started out with zeal and devotion to preach Christ's gospel, and to declare that which was good news to many; namely, of the successorship of 'young Joseph' to his father's place, as had been prophesied. And, largely so, they went out without means, chiefly traveling afoot, to reach the scattering sheep of the flock, those who wandered far and wide after the dispersion from Nauvoo. In that time of scant means Bro. Rogers paid out, either from the small treasury of tithings and offerings, or from his own private funds, that which sustained, to some degree, the families of the ministry in their absence.
"In 1866 the General Conference ordered the preparation and publication of the Inspired Version of the Holy Scriptures. Special contributions and subscriptions were called for, but these did not equal the expenditures. However, Bro. Rogers continued to meet all demands, and when the conference of 1870 came around, it was found that the account was overdrawn about four thousand dollars. Then he arose in the assembly and said that he would balance the debt by giving it to the church. In that day this seemed a large gift; and, indeed, it was a very important matter, a
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