The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-08-13
Church. Charity
r Re1igion


To My Dear Friends in Christ:
| Through the kindness OF the edi-
tor let me say a few things TO you
which are burning in my heart
First. I want 10 thank you most
earnestly for your prayers and your
Christian sympathy and love. which
have helped me so much in the Mas
ter's work. I feel so unworthy OF
such love from such earnest hearts.
but know il is given for my work ;
sake, and therefore 1 appreciate IL
the more.
After weeks and months OF con
slant toiling and of suffering. my
strength gave way and left me abso-
Iutely unable TO go any longer in
my work
One great question Of my life. dur
ing these years. has been when 10
stop and rest, and when broke down
completely then all doubt as 10 my
duty was removed, and I knew be-
yond question that il is the Lord 5
will for me TO rest. since there Is
nothing else that I can do
My strength gave way at West
Point, Miss, and 1 knew that I was
m a very serious condition, but the
meeting in Okolona was already IN
progress under the leadership OF KY
faithful eo-laborer. Bro. B. A. Hall.
aided by my dear brother IN the
flesh, Mr.. Jefferson J. Gates While
I felt that il would be unwise for
me to go to OkoIona. they urged 50
earnestly that l went any way and
unable to preach at all. Although
attended two services was compelI-
ed to lie down on a cot while Bro.
Hall preached.
1t is the first time in all my life
that I have gone to a place without
being able TO preach. and being
forced to give il UP I went TO the
gulf coast for a few days. hoping 20
have my family join me there, but
being disappointed in that I came on
home and then on here so as 10 have
them with me.
The surf baths and short ocean
trips that I am taking as my strength
will permit have rested me some. but
l am still suffering every hour. day
and night I have no word OF COM
plant because of the suffering. since
it was brought on in winning lost
souls to Jesus Christ for His glory.
Not being worthy of the least OF His
blessings, I am glad TO be counted
worthy TO suffer with Him
If I had fifty years TO live and
had to suffer all that fifty years in
order TO win one soul 10 Christ.
would certainly take the suffering
and the soul to be saved rather than
live in ease not to suffer one minute F
the whole fifty years and (
still not TO have anybody 10 be saved /
Dear readers. my condition has T
been brought about through my ef-
fort to be a channel Of blessing 10 &
you; therefore I am sure I can de-
pend on you to pray most earnestly 4
for God TO give me back my strength. f
that l may continue 70 be a channel f
Of blessings TO others I cant tell +
how long I have 10 remain here. I
may be compelled to take a short 4
trip TO Europe before my strength i
IS restored. Hours seem like months 4
and the days seem like years as my
heart goes out 10 be seeing some
body saved, but can only say. Thy
will, o Lord, be done"
I don't like TO speak of my eondi-
ion, and would not except I hope the
facts in the case will lead my many
friends TO pray most earnestly for
ne. 1t is almost impossible for me
% sleep at all, or eat anything ex-
,ept the very 1ightest liquid food.
md since that has come TO disagree
With me it makes my condition very
serious. since one must eat and sleep. +
l can't stay up very long at time.
md have been in bed until that has
brought such soreness to my body 4
hat it is painful for me TO lie down,
having spent most of my time for the
ast year in bed, excepting the time
pent in the pulpit.
AS lie on my bed and dictate this
Message TO your dear hearts, how
wish you could pass one by one
nd give me your hand tenderIy as
-ou did during our great battle for
he Lord, and let me hear you say
o earnestly, God bless you, Bro !
,ates, and make You a great bless
ng" 1t may be that nay Work =
Inished and that ny mansion IS
eady. If so. / am ready TO pass
tver the river, not because i am
worthy, but because / am rObed with