FIELD WORK IN THE SOUTHEAST
REV. JOHN T. DAVIS
Sunday, April 18, I took a train for Ocala, Fla., where I found the three daughters of the late Brother James Hull, and nieces of Rev. J. L, Hull, of Little Genesee. N. Y. When I saw the loyalty of these girls, raised without Sabbath privileges, one of them married and raising a family, yet standing alone, the question came: Why this loyalty? This is so different from the history of many Seventh Day Baptist families that a mist of wonder almost engulfs me, till there is a rift in the cloud and the staunch and rugged features of Elders Nathan, Varnum, Hamilton and O. P. Hull come to mind; yes, and not so very dimily in the distance appears ‘Aunt Martha’ and I am led to say the name Hull stands for something. Would to God we had more of such fiber in Seventh Day Baptist families.
While passing throught this country I was not only permitted to be ‘Way down upon the Swanee River,’ but to actually cross the miserable dirty thing; and yet there is a glimpse of poetry in the towns of ‘Romeo and Juliette’; but if we are to judge, Juliette takes the ribbons for her beautiful springs. Reaching Mayo I commenced the search for Professor U. P. Davis, whom I found comfortably situated, and highly esteemed as an educator, as well as citizen, if I can believe the testimony of the people. I also found Brother T. C. Davis, father of the professor, who has done so much in tracing out the history of the Davis family. The loyalty of Professor Davis, wife and father, seems too wellknown to need comment. Yet here I was again brought face to face with the need of independent methods of work.
Reaching Cottondale on the way from Mayo to Panama I learned that a bridge had been burned, and so took an auto through a country with questionable roads, and darkness so dense that I shall probably never know whether I ran against the mule or the mule ran against us, but we were ‘sure glad when we alls’ reached Panama safely. Failing to find our people in Panama I went to St. Andrews to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otway Ware, Mrs. Ware being formerly Miss Mary Whitford, of Farina, Ill. These good people took in the wanderer and cared for him during his stay in these parts.
Hearing that Rev. Mr. Feldman, a converted Jew, a noted scholar, master of seven different languages, a D. D. of note, was to speak on the resurrection of Christ I was interested to know how he with other wise men of modern times could have Christ crucified on Friday, lie in the grave three days and three nights and rise Sunday morning. Therefore in company with Sister Ware and others I wended my way to the Baptist church of which he is pastor. Behold our surprise when he told us that Christ was not crucified on Friday. Because: Palm Sunday was the time of the triumphal entry; Monday, the fig-tree was cursed; on Tuesday they saw it withered; on Wednesday was the feast of unleavened bread; and on Thursday was the Passover, when he was cricufied at 9 a. m. and died at 3 p. m. I give this for the benefit of our scholastic friends who have been trying to make three days and three nights between Friday evening and Sunday morning, for counting a part of a day for a day, we have in this four days and three nights; and this, I can but think, is a better theory than the other. He told us also that there was only one reference in the Bible (and that very slight )to Sunday as the Sabbath, that Matthew 28: 1 should read, ‘In the end of the Sabbaths.’
At the close of the service I had the opportunity of saying to him that I would be glad to talk with him, but he seemed to have other pressing business. Finding that Sister Ware was a Seventh Day Baptist he expressed a desire to call on her, but when
she urged him to call while I was there, and though some of his own people were anxious for us to meet, for some unknown reason, business seemed urgent at such times, but I am thinking seriously of asking him to explain some of the mysteries that he has discovered, for the benefit of the Recorder readers.
Sabbath morning Mr. Ware took me in his motor boat across the bay to see the Forbeses, (relatives of the late Mrs. Wardner), who live near Crompton. Mr. Forbes being from home, I only saw his wife, mother and sister, but had a very pleasant visit, and they regretted very much that they had not known in time so they could arrange to attend our afternoon service. This service was held at the home of Mrs. Mattie Graltman, who with her husband embraced the Sabbath some time ago and determined that they together would follow the Lord in the ordinance of baptism at the first apportunity. It was their desire to be baptized by a Seventh Day Baptist minister, but while they were waiting for one to come her husband was called away. Yet, though thus bereaved, on hearing that I was coming to St. Andrews, she planned to go alone, meeting the duty she had hoped to meet with her husband. Therefore, after the service at her home Sabbath afternoon, in company with Sister Ware, Sister M. A. Ayers, of Panama, and several children, we repaired to the bay and I had the privilege of administering the ordinance of baptism for her. The next day I attended, the M. E. Bible school and church in the morning and, in the afternoon waited in vain for the meeting with the learned D. D., of whom I have already spoken.
Our next stop was at Hammond, La., where I was cordially greeted and cared for during my stay, by Brother S. S. Powell, the pastor, and a number of other friends I had met before, as well as with a few new acquaintances I was permitted to make. It was a pleasure to meet with these people, and find them not only interested but loyal to our cause. From what I saw I was impressed that they expect to attend the prayer meeting, preaching service and Y. P. S. C. E., and at each of these services your humble servant was asked to speak.
On Sunday morning Brother Tompson, with his son, Ernest, as driver, took Brother Powell and myself out near Baton Rouge to see a Brother Cotton, a Seventh Day Baptist who with one son stands alone on the Sabbath, the rest of his family observing the First Day.
A few miles from him is Brother Muse and family who observe the Sabbath but have not identified themselves with us. This was a trip of some thirty-five or forty miles over roads that in some places the bottom was hard to find. But ofter some shoving out, prying out, and pulling out, we made the trip, which I feel sure we could not have done but for the careful driver we had.
Reaching Hammond before night, in company with Pastor Powell I visited a Brother and Sister Good, who frankly admit the Sabbath truth and talk that they will keep it.
Our stop at Hammond was a bright spot on the journey.
Chattanooga, Tenn.,
June 1, 1920.”
Reference Data:
The Sabbath Recorder, Vol. 88, by American Sabbath Tract Society, 1920, page 740-42
