95 Continuing his pastorate in Texas, Dr. Talbot began to see the need for more training. He resigned his church and enrolled in McCormick Semin- ary in Chicago. Soon after=- --nr-s·-~ ·a:rr-I;al in Chicago he was called in 1919 as pastor of the Fourth Congregational Church in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago. This was one of the most important pastorates in his career, because it pro- vided an opportunity for him to hear many of the great spiritual giants of that day. Several of these men were guest speakers in his church. Dr. Talbot's next pastorate was in Keokuk, Iowa, the First Presbyterian Church, which he accepted in 1922. He had spoken there when he was a student at Moody Bible Institute, and the people had never forgotten him. Although his unorthodox style, both in and out of the pulpit, was a bit of a shock to · his congregation, to say the least, they loved him and were willing to give him a free hand. The Church grew under his leadership. A member of the church who was an automobile dealer provided him a truck complete with a platform and an organ so that he could conduct street meetings. This was an unheard of novelty in Keokuk. The cooperative police roped off an area so that his services would not interfere with trafic. These meetings con- tributed greatly to the growth and development of the church. During his ministry in Icwa, Dr. Talbot received a number of calls from churches . which he turned down; but when the Olive Presbyterian Church of Minneapolis, in their search for a pastor, contacted him, he was interested, because that church was known for its fidelity to the Scriptures and its desire for a man who was fundamental. After the church had heard several speakers, some of whom were quite eloquent, the Campaign Manager of the Billy Sunday Evangel- istic Team said to them, "If you are looking for a real fundamentalist and gifted expository preacher, why don't you try to get Louis Talbot ?f Keokuk?" Subsequently, the two elders whom the church sent to hear him were so favor- ably impressed that they recommended he be called as their pastor. The congregation then extended Louis Talbot a definite call; and in 1924, after four years in Iowa, the Talbot family moved again, and Dr. Talbot began his
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter