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OUR RECENT TRIP AND VISIT TO THE FRATERNAL GATHERING AT HYE, TEXAS
FROM LETHBRIDGE, CANADA

BY BROTHER AND SISTER W.J. PICKFORD
1952
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Leaving Lethbridge on July 21st, on the 12:30 Greyhound Bus, with the loving smiles and good wishes of many of our brethren and sisters for an enjoyable time and safe return, our hope and prayer was, that should the Master return in our absence, as “in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of a Man cometh,” that it would be our glorious privilege to meet our brethren and sisters in the glorious Kingdom of God.

From Lethbridge to Coutts, there was quite a friendly crowd aboard, talking and visiting one with another in the happy holiday mood. It make one realize how easy it would be for Jesus on His visit to Jerusalem to be missed on the return of His parents from the feast of the Passover and a holiday crowd.

At the border we were soon led to realize that we were living in a fast world, it seems, as we leave Canada, we leave the old world of slow process, and into America where life seems to be renewed, so there it is speed and more speed in the new world. And as we again boarded the bus for Great Falls, very little time was taken to go through the customs, yet here in this process it brings home the truth of the prophets words, “It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Hence he must be watched as he passes from one country to another, only evil “as in the day of Noah” continually.

There were many farm lands from Sweetgrass to Great Falls and many getting ripe to the harvest, together with the oil pumps working, taking oil from the soil, that liquid gold, and as David said “O Lord, how manifold are thy works. In wisdom hast thou made them all, the earth is full of thy riches”.

On our arrival in Great Falls we were reminded of the words of Jesus, in the long range prophesy of Luke 21:25, “the sea and wave roaring”, as the picket lines were around the Gray hound Bus Depot crying, “shame” at the unfairness of the Greyhound Bus people against organized labor. From Great Falls to Billings was traveled mostly in the dark. On the Billings to Gasper trip, we visited a spot called, “Hell’s Half Acre”. It was a depression in the earth, leaving a great rock formation. We were told that at one time in former history it had formed part of a great glacier, which in passing of time, the ice had melted, and the water, as Job says, “wears the stone”, and such had left the stone formation.

There was a small building named “the Devil’s Inn”, and through a telescope reveals what man has called, “The Devil’s Head”, and which invariably is imagined to represent an evil hideous-looking monster, yet which is quite unnecessary, as of the apostasy’s children, many of them are the essence of kindness and meekness and of good looks. John writes of them, “are waxen rich through the abundance of her delicacies”, as also her sorceries, yet the spirit’s description is the “ abomination of the earth”, and doomed to destruction, and to have no place in God’s final habitation on the earth.

Our next, or rather our first bright spot on our journey was Denver, yet before our arrival there we passed through much sage brush and unfertile land, yet as we turn our thoughts to the future we are told, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose”.

In the large cities of man’s building, “Man made upright, but sought out many inventions”, as he pushed the frontiers back bringing in civilization in his fruitful and multiplying and replenishing marching over onward, running to and fro, knowledge increasing, yet, alas, side by side, God dishonoring. Yet now, as in the past, “God’s spirit shall not always strive with man”, as his ways have been numbered, he has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.

The great time piece on the clock of prophesy is slowly but surely coming to its destined end, as witness a journey through this sad, troubled, and Godless world; for servicemen of many ranks and regiments, and in vast numbers, moving and mixing with the throngs. They tell us truly, “there is no peace, saith the Lord, to the wicked”, but “Prepare war, wake up the might men”, said the prophet of these last days.

With screeching brakes and rubber upon pavement, so man dashing in his mad haste to his end in many cases literally, yet in the larger sense to the time of the end and Christ’s return. We arrived at Denver tired but happy at the prospect of a short rest. Denver is a city spread over a vast area giving place and life to some 450,000 to 500,000 inhabitants, yet like Nineveh of old untutored and uninstructed in the word that giveth life, giving understanding to the simple.

Yet here in Denver was a mother in Israel with her children, Sister Lemon, well over eighty. “Few in number” was this little flock, yet with hearts of gold toward their fellow pilgrims Zionward, as our sister remarked in her simple but humble way, “It is nice to have Christadelphians come to visit us”, and brethren and sisters it is certainly nice to visit them. Here we rode into the city in triumph, and a greater and more heart felt welcome than had been accorded the hopeful President of the United States on his visit here, as welcome was written and read in every face, and welcome as long as you are pleased to stay.

We were met at the bus depot by bro. John Osborne, and our identification had been previously arranged, not by the mark of the beast or the number of his name, but by carrying the Berean Magazine, the Father’s name. Denver is about a mile above sea level, and being the state capital, would naturally be a drawing card for many, and so there was much hustle and bustle. In these large cities they have what they call market centers where one can at one shopping buy from a screw nail to an automobile.

Here we met and enjoyed the company and association of those “few berries in the top most branches” that had not been reaped on the harvest of corruption, and here we enjoyed the wonderful loving hospitality begotten only of the truth, and we talked and talked and talked some more of those things that only are worth while, that is the truth. “Know the truth,” says Jesus, “and the truth shall make you free;” for in spite of their ups and downs, as “few and evil have the days of their pilgrimage been’ in the material world, yet their thoughts and expression show that spiritually, “their lines have fallen in pleasant places.”

Our beloved John Osborne, though being tender in years, yet had the big task of piloting their ship of truth though muddy channels and deep waters of trials and afflictions and tribulations. With the aid of his elder sisters and brethren who may and could pass that way, yes, it is as of a cry “come over into Macedonia and help us” and God’s blessing and care, we feel sure that God’s will will be done; for “If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in Him through all thy ways; He’ll give thee strength what ere betide thee, and bear thee through the evil days.”

Having stayed in Denver from Tuesday evening till Friday morning where we were able to address those assembled, and which we feel sure was much appreciated, yet the time of our stay had come to an end, so we had to board our bus at 6:30 a.m. Yet with the kind help of Bob, whose name is Robert Hamilton, we were driven to the bus depot, which was much appreciated. Bob is not in the truth, but as he said, “being around as he is where the truth is believed, lived and taught, some of it is bound to rub off.”

Having wished our brethren and sisters goodbye with a promise we might return that way and stop awhile, again we embarked on the last half of our journey to Hye in the state of Texas, and the Fraternal gathering. And so out of Colorado into Oklahoma, through some fertile and unfertile lands, winding roads and over mountains, but as we sometimes sing together, “Not to the hills I lift mine eyes, from whence doth come mine aid. My safety cometh from the Lord who heaven and earth hath made.” Yet as David hath written and also John in the Revelation, “Great and marvelous are thy works Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways thou kind of saints;” for glorious is the earth, its blessings and its bounties. John says, “For thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Even now in its present cursed state, the throne and thistle state, it is enjoyable and a pleasure, and not a bad place to live in; yet of the future, God has not created the earth in vain, but formed it to be inhabited, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord” and not man’s. Of that happy kingdom age, “no strife shall rage nor hostile feud disturb those peaceful years.”

Instead of the sage brush, thorns and thistles, shall come up the Myrtle tree, for, “Behold,” says Amos, “the days come saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reapers, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed, and the mountains shall drop down sweet wine.” As we see that great armed might of the great American nation represented in men in uniform, we cannot but think of the words of the prophet of Israel, “Though the words of man’s mouth are smoother than butter, but war was in his heart” as “men’s hearts fail them for fear of what is coming on the earth”; for the powers of heaven are being shaken. Yet,

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.” So on we sped through mountainous country and desert land, from Denver to Amarillo, passing over the summit of a mountain from Oklahoma into the state of New Mexico, and on through the city of Dallas where there were some tall buildings, the typical skyscrapers of America. Here in Dallas was a sister, though we did not know it, whom we longed to meet and whom we did meet at the gathering – a sister who had done much in the past in spreading the gospel of salvation, and was still preaching the truth to those who have ears to hear. She is Sister Adeline Turner. The truth is not a spent force with her; for in humbleness and meekness, as becometh the children of light, like Paul, she counts all things but dross, if she might gain Christ.

An hours run out of Dallas the air conditioning system went wrong, which caused water to come over the whole floor of the bus, which delayed us for an hour from reaching our destination at the appointed time. However, we had the pleasant experience while stranded, of meeting a lady whose first husband had been named for sister Martin, who had performed a loving work in his life in days gone by, and whose company and association, we were speeding to reach and enjoy for the next eight days. The world is large, yet at times it seems rather small and especially when such things happen as we have mentioned and experienced.

We changed at Balfour for the last stage of our run into Johnson City. At Lampasas is a Christadelphian ecclesia. Brother Erby Wolfe is recording brother there. Brother S.S. Wolfe, the father of all the Wolves, is also a member of that ecclesia, and he is a father in Israel. On approaching Lampasas we saw a sign of the highway advertising a Christadelphian Church, which aroused our interest no end, as we felt we were coming or nearing our destination; yet we still had another sixty-five to seventy-five to go. In conversation with a fellow passenger on this part of the journey, a lady informed us that her husband had died a Christadelphian, and she knew many of the brethren and sisters who lived around there, and, perhaps she knew, too, many of Christ’s teachings. Yet the cares of this life had choked the word and it had become unfruitful as yet. But, “The days are quickly flying, and Christ will come again.” Alas, many shall come in that day and say, Lord, Lord, yet in stern rebuke the words will be heard, “Depart from me; I never knew you.” Now is the appointed time; now is the day of salvation; yet what a fearful looking forward to of judgment for many in the day of account. If only men and women were not so blind to their opportunities. Let us pray as Elisha did, that God may open their eyes, that men and women may see that there is more with us than with the world.

Yes, at Lampasas, the Wolves are there, not “in sheep’s clothing,” but as sentinels, men and women of honest and enlightened minds by the light of the gospel truth, who have indeed became teachers in Israel. Our next stop was at Johnson City, a city that became well known to us, and especially some of its inhabitants, whom we had learned to love because of the truth that was in them. Sister Martin is well on in the Autumn of life, yet her life is woven around and in the truth; in fact her home is a Christadelphian home, where she tends and helps all who may pass that way.

Christadelphian to her is the password to her home and heart. As the bus came to a stop, three passengers got off, but sister Martin said she knew the first was not a Christadelphian, yet she knew we, the other two, were as soon as she saw us. She remarked of the truth shining forth in one’s face, and with hearty hand clasps and loving embraces, we had arrived at one of the greenest spots of our lives in the truth. Sister Martin and Sister Margaret Martin, sisters of the same name, yet related only by the “ties that bind all things to the Eternal Mind.”

Sister Martin took us home driving her own car; yes to a real home where the truth is first and last and all the time. Many in the past have stayed there; many more will, I am sure, in the future, if things remain as we left them. We were two out of sixteen who had come to stay for the fraternal Gathering in Texas. Sister Martin has been a succorer of many, and like Paul I can say, “and me also.” Our stay in Johnson City and at the gathering will long be remember, truly an oasis to the brethren and sisters. Western Texas hospitality is well know to the people of the world, and how much more so of the brethren and sisters in the truth, and I feel as was said by the queen of Sheba, that after I have related my experiences at the gathering, that one half will not have been told. One is put at ease in their presence from the start, as we felt we had known them so long. They are plain common, ordinary people, who, as they so often remarked, they loved us, and the people assembled there, and one another, because they all loved the truth.

“What went ye out for to see,” not men and women of soft raiment who are of the high and mighty of the world, that are in king’s palaces. They are not Christadelphians, they are not in the truth, they do not belong to the truth, as, “Not many mighty, not many noble, are called;” for, “God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom,” of whom we met a goodly portion at the gathering at Hye.

Truly, brethren and sisters, here at home, or further flung fields of God’s children in the truth, if you are hovering in the balances of uncertainty, then let me urge you to visit Hye at the next Fraternal gathering; for there is an experience that money cannot buy. The truth and nothing but the truth is discussed the whole of the livelong day. The grounds where the gathering is held is from five to ten acres in size, longer than wide, and dotted over with trees that make a good covering and shade for the occasion, deeded to the Christadelphians many years ago. There is a building there called the Tabernacle where the meetings were held, three a day; also a church house a little ways away from the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle is a open structure of wood, having a roof but open at the sides. All around the Tabernacle at a good distance from it are various camps of the brethren and sisters and their families, who have moved from their homes to Hye and encamped there for the eight day gathering of God’s people. Israel had come home to rest awhile as they pitched their tents and spake often one to another of the kingdom of God and Christ’s return. A meeting was held on the Saturday night, yet the official opening was Sunday morning July 27, and what a glorious day – what an opening it was.

That was a day that will never be forgotten, as the presiding brother arose to announce the singing of the opening hymn to the praise and honor to the Almighty God, an AWE inspiring time and sight, and how joyful and welcome it must have been to HIM who sitteth in the heavens. “O render thanks to God above, the fountain of eternal love.” We had come to worship Him, to remember His son Jesus, men and women, brethren and sisters in Christ, from far and near, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, California, Florida, Detroit, and from many places in Texas. They had come to do homage to Him who is the source and giver of all good, though tired and weary from our journey, yet these physical discomforts were lost in the joys that were now taking place, and we in the midst.

How at ease we felt among them, an experience we would not have missed for anything as the meetings were held in the morning at eleven, at three in the afternoon, and at eight in the evening, not one day, but from July 27th through to the morning of August 3rd. Exhortation at eleven, reading at three, with a speaker to comment, but which was changed to an address on Tuesday and for the remainder of the gathering; and a lecture at eight. Up at six, breakfast at seven; the truth then began to be discussed, and continued through breakfast, and also on our sixteen-mile drive to the meeting grounds, Also before meetings and after meetings, and all the time. It was the truth being spoken often one to another, and on every hand; and if one wants the truth, if they love the truth and desire the truth, then the Gathering in Texas is the place to get it. The Gathering to a brother or sister can be what the charging room is to the electric dynamo; there one can go and be renewed in spiritual strength and upbuilding, as there the broken spirit can be cheered.

There can be the rallying ground for the brethren and sisters of Christ, and it can be made to be a wonderful and great green spot in the lives of God’s despised and oppressed and tried servants. For if it is the truth we want, as it is the truth we need, we are leaky vessels, all of us, there at Hye, in Texas is a wonderful spot for our spiritual strength and succor. With sister Martin a mother in Israel, and brother S. S. Wolfe among one of the chief corner stones, as a tried and trusty warrior, who had borne the burden in the heat of the day for Christ’s sake, and grouped around these and many other stalwarts in Christ, that helped to form the wall of this great gathering, and what a foundation on which to build. The apostles and prophets, with Christ the chief corner stone, and this gathering is not something now, but has been taking place some past sixty to sixty-five years when brethren and sister of Texas traveled by horse drawn transportation, camping on the way until they arrived at the meeting grounds at Hye, for their Fraternal Gathering. Yes, those far off days from the present running to and fro, and knowledge increasing was so remote.

Just a little beyond the meeting grounds at Hye is a Christadelphian cemetery, where, in the past, loved ones have been laid to rest, asleep in Jesus, waiting for His return, when, “The trumpet shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” A little beyond that again is Sister Martin’s old home, where, as a bride, she was queen of her palace. Now her nephew, Lindon Johnson, lives there. He is a senator in the U.S. congress, yet what a great change there will be in the kingdom age. “They shall not build and another inhabit, they shall not plant and another eat, for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”

Johnson City is named after Sister Martin’s family. Sister Martin has spent a good portion of her life in the truth, and what a colorful pilgrimage it has been. Her husband was a judge, and that in itself gave all the allurements of the world as was necessary. Sister Martin has taught the truth to many and is still watchful over God’s children and keeps the brood under her protecting wing. She taught the truth to her husband, and we can say, partly with guile, as Paul did of old. Her husband was a big rancher and farmer, and he often had to leave the home farm for other parts of their holdings, and as he had to stay over-night, and knowing him to be a book worm, when packing his bag for him, she included a book on the truth, which having nothing else to read, he had to read the truth’s literature. Thus eventually he learned the truth.

Sister Martin has maintained her integrity through the years of strife and division; she is loved and respected by all who know her, in the truth and those not in the truth. She lets her light shine before men, as her nephew, Lyndon Johnson, the Senator said of her when someone remarked of her not being at home: “Aunt Frank will not be found home until the Christadelphian Gathering is over.” Truly a wonderful testimony from one not in the truth to one that is in the truth, and it was not spoken in sarcasm, but with a soundness which he knew and also fully respected; for as men and women can see that our sister has been with Jesus. May God bless her and her associated that they may be able to continue to succor many and meet at the Gathering at Hye.

Though her inducements have been many that could draw a less stronger person from the truth, yet she was able to show us with trees that were saplings in her history, yet now big, old, crooked and knotty, across the river that flows by the meeting grounds. A miniature city of God, our sister, like Moses of old, “chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. If only the trees on the grounds could talk or write, what a story would be revealed of the past sixty or sixty-five years as Israel gathered under the shade of their leaves, yet, “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it, except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Christ’s warning to the seven ecclesias in Asia was, except they repent, he would remove the candlestick out of its place, and today, the light is no more there. There at Hye were assembled modern Gamaliels, doctors of the law of God and of Christ. Brother Beauchamp, who has wielded the sword of the spirit, both in proclamation and in debate, Brother Growcott of Detroit, and Brother Thomas his co-laborer, Brother Lumley of Miami, and many others, all administering that sincere milk of the word that we might grow there by.

“Behold how good a thing it is, and how becoming well, together such as brethren are in unity to dwell.” Many of the brethren and sisters assembled at Hye have a connection with Dr. Thomas’ work in the U.S.A., as their grandparents or great grandparents have some connection with the truth of those far off days. One brother’s mother had Bro. Roberts as her Sunday School Superintendent – truly beautiful and loyal back grounds in the truth.

The sisters, too, play an important part in the gathering, contributing much to its success. They were cumbered about with much serving as they had to make a home away from home, yet no outward show was seen, nor did their work appear to be a burden. We partook of those good things provided for the inner man that those loving hands had provided and prepared, and in the name of the disciple of Christ we were blessed many fold. They did not allow their serving to eat into the time for the truth but at the appointed time, fifteen minutes before the hour, and five minutes and on the hour, the bell in the roof of the tabernacle rung by a brother, reminded us that the meeting time had arrived, and from all parts of the grounds (some already there) brethren and sisters and children wended their way to hear the word of God.

“I was glad,” said David, “when they said unto me, let us go into the house of God,” and there would be the sisters, the coffee pot and dishes had quickly been placed behind the scenes, and, attending to those good things that shall not be taken away, “For they that trust in the lord shall be as Mount Zion which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people, form henceforth even forever.”

And such was not one day, not two days, but Sunday through Sunday. God’s people met and rendered to Him praise and glory to His great Name: “Thy goodness Lord, our souls confess. Thy goodness we adore. A spring whose blessings never fail. A sea without a shore.” And the feeling of joy, blessing and goodwill, of the feast of fat things throughout the Gathering, can be best experienced than described, that as the Bible tells of the future saying, “The Lord of Hosts shall make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.”

So here at Hye in Texas, during the gathering of God’s people, is a spot that is never dull. It is one of the greatest spots that a brother or sister can obtain in this life of trial and tribulation. As the days went swiftly by and the end appeared so near, how our minds turned to the time of the degrees of the Sun-dial being turned backward, to confirm a prophets promise, were such a prophet here now, yet what a joy to look upon it in the day of blessedness, if we are among the chosen few. If we described in detail all that transpired at the gathering, the chore would be too burdensome, yet of the well of the water of life, that Jesus spoke of to the woman of Samaria, was a daily blessing and privilege for everyone there.

Saturday brought us to the children’s program, a program that could but bring from all the thought of thankfulness that we were there, as our hearts welled up with pride. During the whole of the gathering they had been conspicuous by their presence at the meeting, and by the way many of their converts to the truth of God is by the Sunday school. Here were children who know the Holy Scriptures and were remembering their Creator in the days of their youth, as witness their demonstration in giving an outline of the Bible and singing those hymns so dear to the hearts of all Christadelphians – the smaller children telling the story of Moses, Daniel, and the Good Samaritan. And so ably demonstrated by pictures placed upon a board by their own little hands as the story was brought home to us. Little wonder at so early a training, and so well that many young folks were at the gathering in their teens having obeyed the truth and accepted Jesus as their Saviour, Lord and King. How pleasing it must be to the parents to see their children, walking in the truth. They have been trained up in the way that they should go, and as the Superintendent of the Sunday school in his able manner almost brought the children from their seats as he spoke to them of their opportunity, together with their responsibility which would be these children’s as the older ones in the truth passed off the scene. If Christ was still absent, they would be expected to carry the torch of the truth lit by Jesus, and so keep it ever burning brightly. How reluctant we were to hear the closing hymn, yet happy beyond expression that we had witnessed such a program as these children at Hye had displayed, and how telling do the words of the apostle John come to us as he writes to the parents, to the children, and the young men saying, “Love not the world; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world, and the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” And so, to the brethren and sisters, then what a great responsibility we all have, as the children look at their elders as their heroes, let us, then, display a character that is worth while that they may aim to follow, “whatsoever things are lovely and of good report.” Let us think on these things and do them.

Sunday morning came all too soon, as with it came for us at Hye the last breaking of bread as the Gathering came to an end. But what a great end it was, as seemingly the sides of the tabernacle would have burst, had there been any sides. Yet what a difference to the last breaking of bread the Lord Jesus took part in, before he suffered. “Go,” he said to his disciples, “and prepare the Passover.” He with his little band of 12, yet one of them a traitor, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” As a result of that suffering and sacrifice, there at Hye was a large gathering of men and women, brethren and sisters of Christ, met to remember Him: “By Christ redeemed; in Christ restored, We keep in memory adored, and show the death of our dear Lord, Until he come. Until He come.”

After the two hymns had been sung and announcements made, prayer was offered. Our brother Thomas of Detroit gave the words of exhortation, which was built around the epistle to Philemon, at the close of which we believe every brother and sister of that great audience could conclude and say, “The bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee brother.” Who could but have the feeling of awe! As the hour was come after so wonderful an exhortation to partake of the memorials in remembrance of Christ, He who was the cause of the great Gathering, He who laid down His life for the saints, He who had brought life and immortality to light, which was now the hope of this great throng. He who had no where to lay His head; He who had given His back to the smiters, had been spit upon, buffeted and afflicted, but was now gone up on high. Our hope is with Him there and now in His name and for His sake were gathered here together men and women, young and old, from near and far, at the close of another Gathering, remembering Jesus, in the appointed way.

How our hearts yearn for that day when there shall be that greater Gathering of God’s people, and when, too, there shall be no parting. As the bread and the wine went its round, capably administered by the Presiding Brother, and passed among the brethren and sisters by young Brethren, how reverent and appealing to mortal mind and eye, and how glorious must such a scene be to the Throne of Him Who dwelleth on high. As the strains of the closing hymn died away, God was thanked for his kindness and blessings upon another Gathering in His Name, as His care and guidance together with strength and courage solicited upon those assembled as they went on their several ways. Then was said, AMEN, and the Gathering at Hye in Texas of 1952 was at an end. Yet a Gathering to live long in the memory of those who had attended there. “We can give Thee thanks, Lord God Almighty” as we had just witnessed a prelude to that good time coming on the earth, when

“Behold the Mountain of the Lord

In latter days shall rise,

On mountain tops about the hills

And draw the wandering eyes.”

The glorious sequel is,

“Zion’s king shall reign victorious

All the earth shall own his Sway.

He will make His kingdom glorious

He will reign through endless days.”

And to all we say, who have the time and opportunity, and the where-withal to make the trip, and Christ is still absent from the earth, then set your sights upon Hye. Yes, let Hye be your scheduled stopping place (If God wills) in 1953. Plain ordinary people will be there, but truly heirs together of the grace of life, as there brother meets brother on that one common basis, for the truth’s sake the love of it, yet what a rallying ground it is as man is made to appreciate and love God’s great gift to man – Christ and His word – the brotherhood and the truth. Brethren and sisters, what more could a person in the truth ask for, “Truth, how sacred is the treasure. Teach us Lord, its worth to know; for vain the hope and short the pleasure which from other sources flow.”

There at Hye in Texas, during the Gathering, being among God’s called out ones, is truly a wonderful green spot, even though it is held in somewhat of a dry and parched land, yet it is a trip that one will not forget or regret. It is something to remember and appreciate for many days to come. Again we say, if not this year, next year, or sometime very soon, is our call to one and all.

As the Gathering ended for 1952 a hurried meal was set and eaten. Then came the sad part of separating, absent in body it was to be, yet truly present in spirit, we cannot help to be. For as the hand clasps and farewells and good-byes were said eye became red as tears began to fall, and many hurried away, no doubt to shed that silent tear. How that scene comes vividly to our minds, as Paul was parting from the brethren and sisters at Miletus, as they had learned to love Paul, and Paul them, he had declared unto them all the counsel of God. We, too, had been blessed herewith, we, too, had been, “commended to God, and the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those that are sanctified.” We had learned to love the brethren and sisters of the Lord, among whom we had dwelt for eight days and more, yet our sorrow was not that we should see their face at Hye no more. But we departed with the hope of God’s blessing on our return to the Gathering at Hye in Texas again.

After our departure from the Gathering at Hye in Texas, we journeyed to Houston where the brethren and sisters had invited us, and as we visited among the brethren and sisters, I believe I can voice this as a true sentiment, that not only us, but all Brethren and Sisters of like precious faith are welcome and appreciated in Texas among the Texas brethren and sisters. We visited Houston, yet the thoughts of us all on our journey was the Gathering and those we had mingled with and learned to love there, and of the marvelous things we had heard and talked about there.

At Houston we met many more brethren and sisters who were unable to be at the gathering. Houston is a very large city spread over many miles, being fifty miles from the Gulf of Mexico. A port for traffic by the sea, many boats come up the channel to Houston no doubt plying their trade, as we read in the Bible, “They that go down to the sea in ships see the handiwork of God.” There is an ecclesia in Houston of some thirty five to forty members. They take the truth seriously and zealously.

The truth when accepted should be to, run all, that we might win the prize. Cold or hot is the spirit’s injunction. Lukewarmness is nauseating. A meeting was held in their hall on Monday, and a good number were present to listen to the word. Strangers also were present, among whom was a natural born Jew. Yet, alas, Jesus still is a stumbling block and a rock of offence to Israel, although this one was quite pleased to hear the message that we gave which was upon the subject, “Why did Jesus Leave the Earth After His Resurrection?” With the eager looks and desire upon the many faces of those assembled, we know we had touched a respondent chord, and thankful we were we had been able to serve our Heavenly father in this small way. “For you have the truth received, by God’s grace to you revealed. Should you dare to keep it back, you the rich reward may lack.”

Our stay in Houston was short, from Sunday evening to Tuesday morning, yet to hold fast in the midst of the great surrounding darkness of this city so vast, is no easy chore, yet like the Master, ‘They are willing to endure the cross, that they may wear the crown.” There, like in all places of the earth, “the harvest is plentiful;” let us therefore pray the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers.

We journeyed from Houston to Denver, and stayed a short time there, visiting with those whom we had had the pleasure of visiting on our journey to the Gathering. Yet how lovely it is as we journey through this foggy, chilling world to stop off here and there and say, “Greetings in the Lord.” As we think of the past experience of men and of our own, what a wonderful and glorious thing the truth of God really is. As we meet men and women in these far flung posts from home, yet making a home for us in their home, giving that cup of cold water, yea, more, in the name of a disciple, to aid their brethren and sisters on their way. Yes, that true water hole in the desert where one can get the life-sustaining help and strength to help on the journey toward the goal. As we set out again on our journey, heavy, indeed, were our hearts, that we must leave such genial and loving company so strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Our joys, they had to end, as all things mortal hath an end, joys or sorrows, defeats or triumphs, nothing is permanent, only the truth. May God’s blessing and loving care rest greatly upon all those whom we met and had to leave.

As we again took to the highways and by-ways, over hill and over mountain, on every hand is the evidence of God’s all sustaining hand. Nature’s beauty is thorough and is matchless; for:

How inexpressible thy might, Divine Author of all

For thou hast formed the mountains, the wondrous waterfall,

The vastness, the beauty, the glory, our souls with awe doth fill

As it seems alone with nature, yes nearer to thee we feel

For this is thy great mercy, thou didst thyself reveal

To us in all creation the grass, the flowers gay,

The birds and trees and insects, each one doth seem to say

Give praise unto our Maker, as glory to Him is due.

As we come to the end of our talk, we say again, how great God is, how manifold are His blessings, kindness and His cares; for without Thee O God, we can do nothing. “Eternal God, Thou only Just. Thou only gracious wise and true. Not unto us who are but dust. But unto Thee is glory due.”

Of all the joys, the blessings, experiences and associations in the truth, the talk that we have gave of our trip and visit to the fraternal gathering in Texas, is only small compared to the experiences one should get to really appreciate it. To say, as we have already said, we would not have missed the experience for anything, is to put it mildly, as it is an experience one will never forget. It is a wonderful spot and a wonderful experience in the life of any brother or sister. Again we urge you, one and all, to take in the Gathering, if not this year, next year, or sometime soon make it your earnest endeavor to attend. None, I feel sure, will regret it. Happy are the brothers and sisters who attend there, and blessed is the atmosphere of truth that exists there.

Should the Lord Jesus remain absent from His appointed place upon this earth, may many more obtain spiritual blessing and spiritual up-building that so many did at the gathering in Texas, that Our Heavenly Father so graciously blessed us with attending this year in 1952.

The goodness, Lord, our souls confess

Thy goodness we adore.

A spring whose blessings never fail,

A sea without a shore.

And now may, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

“For they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

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