Wiktionary
sawdust trail
n. 1 (context idiomatic dated English) The route followed by an itinerant Christian preacher in the United States. 2 (context idiomatic by extension dated English) The path to spiritual redemption or salvation, especially as involving attendance at Christian revival meetings presided over by itinerant preachers in the United States.
Wikipedia
Sawdust trail
The sawdust trail or the sawdust circuit consisted of a series of temporary buildings or tents used by itinerant ministers for revival meetings.
Usage examples of "sawdust trail".
He made a powerful magnetic appeal, and many were the hard characters who walked the sawdust trail.