Early Ministry
Shortly after his remarriage the family moved to Mt. Remarkable at the southern end of the Flinders Ranges. David apparently undertook missionary duties there but it is not known whether this was on a full-time or a part-time basis and there is some doubt as to whether the appointment was under Congregational auspices. It is reported that David went up and down the northern areas visiting the homes of settlers and preaching as he had opportunity. A marriage certificate on display at the Melrose Museum bears his signature as having officiated at a wedding ceremony conducted at Mt. Remarkable on 17th November, 1859. He conducted other weddings there during the ensuing eighteen months and he is listed as a Congregational minister in the South Australian Almanac for 1860. The first son of his second marriage, Alfred, was born at Mt. Remarkable on 25th February, 1860.
It was during this period at Mt. Remarkable that David received and accepted an invitation to become the minister of the Congregational Church at Morphett Vale. An item in the minutes of a meeting of that Church held in June 1861 reads:
"The Rev. D. Badger, at the unanimous call of the Church, consented to undertake the duties of the Pastorate for the period of one year. He took up his residence at Morphett Vale"'.(Notes and References 8.)
Although the above minute refers to David as the Rev. D. Badger it is understood that he was not ordained until after coming to Morphett Vale. The initial call for one year could well have been regarded as a probationary period, as the call was renewed a year later without a time limit. The minutes of a meeting held on 7 August, 1862 record that 'the reply of the Rev. D. Badger to the unanimous call of the church and congregation to become Pastor among them was read'.(Notes and References 9.) It is understood that David's ordination took place at Morphett Vale with the Revs. R.W. Newland, Charles Hall, F.W. Cox and John Hotham taking part, but the date of the ceremony is not known. It seems reasonable to assume that it would have been shortly after his acceptance of the renewed call, if not earlier.

It is not known at what time the family moved to Morphett Vale but as the second son of the new family was born there on 25th August, 1862 it seems reasonable to assume that the whole family moved with him when David took up the initial call. Little is known about the schooling of the children. In her memoirs of her father, Alfred's daughter, Leila Wilson, has described a little private school at Morphett Vale run by two maiden ladies, the Misses Daniel. This was where Alfred started school and, presumably, the two older boys also attended. Leila records that her father used to tell endless stories about the Misses Daniel. Here is one of them: 'On one occasion Grandpa preached a fiery and fervent sermon on the evils 'of drink, his text being "Wine is a mocker"! At the close he urged everyone in the congregation to come forward and sign the pledge. All the people did so with the exception of the Misses Daniel who refused. Grandpa was non-plussed and the following day went to see them to find out the reason for this extraordinary behaviour. Miss Daniel said blandly .'You see, Mr. Badger, we have a very well stocked cellar, containing many of the choicest wines, which we enjoy very much, so we don't want to sign the pledge till we have finished it all".' Little is known either, about the conditions under which the children were brought up. It is clear, though, that the financial situation must always have been very tight. Leila records 'her father as having said once that, until he left home, he had never eaten a whole egg ~ the children had half an egg each for a meal. Once during his schooldays Alfred earned a pound - he was so proud and excited that he pinned the note to his shirt. When he showed his mother she took the money and refused to give him even sixpence for himself. Leila adds that that incident rankled for years.