LETTER 3/6/1952
Thursday Morning.
Precious-
Wanted to tell you how Dad got along last night leading his first Prayer meeting services, so had better do the writing while I'm still feeling quite proud of the way he did and the manner in which he conducted the service, and as several told me afterwards he "preached a good trial sermon", ha!
I was so nervous when the time came to go to church didn't know what to do hardly for I had no idea as to what his subject or thoughts would be or just how he'd act when getting up before the congregation ha. Honestly, honey, you can't imagine the like in your dad to see him make such a change after all these years of indifferent living and then to become the man he is now is’ - “exactly " like some of those Bible characters whose lives we've studied about through the ages.
Many people will and do not believe that a person can be so transformed or"born again" but our congregation here have witnessed and seen this change in the life of Dad and it's somewhat miraculous, I'll say. ha
When he got up to speak last night he first made some remarks concerning his not feeling qualified to fill such a sacred responsibility, and did appreciate being asked to do so, etc. etc. He was very humble in his speech and manner and at first a bit nervous, but finally regained composure and then acted as if he were an "old hand" in leading. ha. Everyone looked amazed.
He announced after a bit that he'd like to talk on "the plan of Salvation" as his subject, and then for scripture reading he chose the book of Genesis and read verses he'd selected. From this he started with the creation and went on through the entire plan ending with Revelations [sic] discussing events that took place and that are taking place now in accordance to scripture as he interprets it. He's been studying a book “Jesus Is Coming”¹ that Bro. McMillan² gave him to read, and "one" that was presented to Bro. McMillan by Mrs. Gill from her treasured collection of good books. It's been so valuable to him and ever since Dad has had it he's studied it's contents, both at the store and home carrying it back and forth with him each day. Ha.
Well, he stood up there and talked “I know for over one hour” and I was afraid everyone would become bored and tired, especially the young people, but I observed the bunch to be very attentive and quiet clear on through. Dad wasn't talking or leading for" show”— his words were being felt as coming from the heart and truly sincere, so he kept on and on for almost an hour, I know. ha
After finishing his talk, he then called for sentence prayers and again had something more to say about his conversion and how he regretted not having done this thirty years ago.
He talked about what the Training Union and Sunday School is meaning to him now, especially Training Union, and believe me it was a grand testimony and most unbelievable to those who have not "seen or heard him.”
Shine's wife Helen (Hembree) came down and told me that she didn't believe she ever attended a prayer meeting that was more enjoyable.
Arle (Queen) kidded Dad and told him he preached a good "trial" sermon.
Everyone crowded around him to shake his hand and compliment him and say words of encouragement. ha
He felt so pent up over the way people came down the aisles to praise him that he was most speechless there for awhile, and after we got home he just talked and talked …really, I'm most speechless myself, and have begun to wonder if my religion is equal to what Dad has...there's nothing but the real thing with him.
Mr. Martindill (Cliff) even came to prayer meeting last night and this is the first time I've ever seen him there and he's a deacon. ha
Dad said he did more talking afterwards to him (Dad) than he'd ever heard out of Cliff.
Mr. Graves was there, too. ha
The three or four of them sat and talked while we were having our choir practice. ha
I do feel "relieved" this morning that the evening is over for I was in suspense yesterday just wondering and worrying over how Dad would get along.
There's no telling what good he can accomplish from here on and this is what Bro. McMillan has told him, so great things may yet come from the life of your Dad in his work as a Christian Doctor.
I really am proud of him, he's the only man, too, out of the bunch that came into the Church with him last March who has shown that they were saved and has gone ahead and grown in the work.
Glenn D. Young is doing fine, is studying the Bible and showing a lot of interest. We're proud of him, but Dad has been outstanding, so to speak. ha.
Thought you'd be thrilled all about this, honey, and you, too, can say a few words of encouragement to him which will certainly mean an awful lot, he mentioned "you" last night in his talk. ha. was real sweet the way he brought "his son" in.
He told Bro. McMillan that he was so pleased and happy over having a son like you. I've thought many times how different our home would have been if only this change had taken place during your childhood, we would have enjoyed having him more "companionable", wouldn't we honey? He lived so indifferent and never showed that he cared a great deal for us back in those days. No one knows how many "heart breaks" I've had either, during the years, many things that only "God and I" know.
Am convinced now that no one can become so hard but what the Creator can change.
[… notes about home elided …]
[1] Likely "Jesus is Coming" by William E. Blackstone.
[2] Reverend R. J. McMillan, here, and here (he conducted granddad’s funeral).