S Thomas Jefferson grew older his chief desire was to obtain a good education. Minor, his brother, two years his senior, was going to be a farmer, but Thomas Jefferson had no inclination that way. At school he was always top of his class; he loved his studies. At an early age he went to work with the chemist at Bloomfield, but he was anxious to obtain a college education. At this time he had two offers made him from uncles. One said he would have him trained at college if he would promise to be a lawyer, and the other that he would put him through college if he would promise to be a preacher; but Thomas Jefferson said, "I make no promises. I will decide what I will be after I have my education."

      At last his chance came, and he left home for Kentucky University. Robert Milligan was then the President of the University. It did not take him long to settle down to college life. He was there to get an education, and he would not let anything interfere with that. During the three years at college he made a rule of rising each morning at 6.30 and retiring at 10 o'clock. He kept strictly to that plan. If after a strenuous day he was very tired at 9.30 he would make himself keep awake till 10 o'clock. He was a wonderful student, and invariably came top of his class, gaining 100 per cent. He never attended any class at the University unprepared. Returning home for the vacation, as the Civil War was raging, it seemed to him necessary to remain at home rather than add to the family burden by continuing his studies. Professor [13] Milligan wrote and asked him why he had not returned to college, and said he would like to see him. Thomas Jefferson went and saw his old teacher, and told him that he was unable to return to college because he had not the means. The Professor said, "Come back to college and don't trouble about the money; but, if you will, when you are through college, earn the money and pay me back then." Jefferson answered, "But what if I should die in the meantime?" Then said the Professor, "Dead men pay no debts." So Thomas Jefferson went back to Kentucky University. It was his privilege always to sit next to the Professor at table. He became his friend as well as being the man he admired more than any other man. He always said that he owed a great debt of gratitude to his mother and Professor Milligan. They had helped him towards accomplishing his highest ideal.

      In 1863 he graduated from Kentucky University, gaining the degree of Master of Arts. He then set to work and taught school at Versailles till he had paid the President all that he owed him. Teaching school then was rather a difficult task, as it was not an easy thing to teach school within sound of the guns, but he stuck to it till he had paid his debts. He had gained a first-class education, and now he was ready and anxious to spend his life for God and to become a minister of the Gospel. He received a call to Hustonville church, which he accepted. This was a wealthy church, and they thought a great deal of their brilliant young pastor. [14]

[TJG 13-14]