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The October 16, 1948 edition of the Saturday Evening Post carried an article about the home which is reproduced here. Click on each page to expand for reading. |
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This Happened In The Hills of Kentucky
Samuel Cottage leaned against the hillside which sloped down toward the property line of Snow Hensley. His land ran down the hill to where it could touch the refreshing waters of the Whippoorwill a little before ours did. I tried to buy Snow and his wife Sarah out, but they saw no reason for selling and I could not blame them. Snow was a good carpenter who worked for us and he had fixed his house down under the hill until it reminded one of living in a summer resort all winter. Then too, just below their back door the earth opened up and allowed a sweet cool stream of water to bubble out thus forming the head of White Oak Branch. I had a future vision for that spring to fulfill. Also we needed another temporary cottage for boys. Do you remember the story of Ahab and Jezebel? Remember Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard, but Naboth would not sell. Ahab became angry so he lay down and turned his head against the wall and pouted. His wife, Jezebel, caught him in his unhappy mood, demanded an explanation, and then went to Naboth and got the vineyard, at the cost of Neboth's life. But you know right well I wouldn't expect Margurite to play Jezebel's part for me. Nevertheless, I wanted that farm and God was the only one who could work that out. To complicate matters, I wanted not only the Hensley farm, but also one more impossible to get which joined us on the other side. Joining our land to the north was the country schoolhouse. As the children from the community had to walk through our property to this educational center complications developed so I began plans to transact a deal with the county school board to either buy or trade for the Legal Schoolhouse and the property. Before one can buy such property it must be committed as a proposition for unanimous consent to every member of the community. Two objected. We presented the following desires to our Heavenly Father: the Hensley farm for reasons of expansion and water supply and a house as temporary quarters for the Samuel Cottage boys. The Sears land joining at the northwest for the timber; the schoolhouse for the use of the building. Two other farms for our acquisition of the county school. Who down here could work this all out without appealing to the help of lawyers, politicians and propaganda? And, furthermore, who could do it without making enemies? The answer is simply - nobody. God had to enter in. So, we prayed. We started on the Sears land. It was a tract of 73 acres with about 150,000 feet of timber on it. I took some of the workers and twenty children down under the hill and explained that the man who owned it had no use for it but would not sell it to me. This man lived in Washington State, after leaving the hills for a career in the dental profession. After our prayer meeting under the cliff I wrote a letter to the doctor telling him why I wanted the land and stated that I would give him the value of the tract, that I was not asking for special consideration because of the Children's Home. A few weeks later, after constant prayer, we received a letter. He stated, "I will sell the 150,000 feet of timber for $1,000, but the land is not for sale." A few months after this disappointment a certain Mr. Gibbs purchased the timber. That sunk all hopes. Dr. Sears aimed to do exactly opposite of what we were praying. His letter was very sharp - in fact bitter. Now who would get the land? Meanwhile another man asked me if I would be interested in buying his farm. His name was Fessor Triplett. Now Fessor is an interesting character. He and his wife, Rosa, are merchants in the South Corbin district. People come from all over the hills with mule teams and wagons and hitch in his parking lot to invest their trading powers. Some swap chickens for groceries. Others bring eggs, pork chops, on the hoof, or beef and hundreds do cash trading. Fessor had a 159 acre farm with about 200,000 feet of timber on it. He offered this farm to me at a bargain. Dr. Sears wanted $1,000 for 150,000 feet of timber, but no land. That was unreasonable. What's more, I didn't have the $1,000. We never have any money unless someone gives a certain amount for a specified item. Then we keep the money a few days until that item is acquired. The second time Fessor talked to me about it, I had the idea that it would be useless for me to think of buying because I did not need the land and the timber would be too big an undertaking. I began to wonder why this deal was made available. Perhaps God was directing me another way. I went to town to see Fessor. We traded at his place anyhow. Just bought a ton of seed potatoes and several tons of fertilizer, then a few plow points, some pork and beef, shoes and socks, nails and a couple of mule collars, chicken feed, dairy feed, two tables and chairs for the little children, four pressure cookers, some hay and baby chicks and some material for drapes, not for the chicken house, however. Also fresh carrots and head lettuce. He sells most everything there is to buy. "Say, Fessor, I'm in the notion of talking to you about that farm you offered me a couple of times!" "Too bad, Preacher!" he answered, lifting his hand into the air in a gesture of indifference. "The old lady got out of the notion of selling it and she's the boss." "Well do tell!" I exclaimed in amazement. "First you are in the notion of selling and I'm not. Now I'm in the notion of buying and your wife isn't." Then he walked up to me and confidentially assured me that Rosa would likely change her mind. Now many weeks passed before Fessor made the offer - 159 acres nourishing 200,000 feet of growing timber all for $1,000, I could say nothing. I acted as if it was too much. Traders are supposed to do that. In my soul I was thrilled and trusted God would provide. I had no money. I told Fessor, however, that I would like to buy it. So we had the deal without the money. In a few weeks we paid $100 and then something happened. We were notified that a certain Mrs. Rhode of St. Louis, Missouri, had died and willed the Home $1,000. I had done what I believed God had wanted me to do, therefore God paid the bill. That was proposition number one finished. Now for the next - the Sears land. I'd like to insert the story of a prayer within a prayer answered at this time because it appears that when a person starts to depend upon God that he goes to Him with every detail of life and we would like to assure you that God does hear and answer. He really does care. I enjoy hearing children sing. I wanted a children's choir. So I approached a certain worker and asked her to do her best with then - a cappella. Organ or piano robbed the beauty and depth of a child's voice to my notion. Up to this time the children had tried to follow the accompaniment of a folding organ. I didn't like it. But the worker didn't like the a cappella idea, either. I wanted one thing and she wanted another. Right then I decided I was the director of this work. The worker went on her vacation. During that August I took about twenty-five children up on the church ridge, put them in formation and tried to find out who could sing what. Having placed them according to their voices, I began to bolster them in the Lord as to what they would be able to do if they would really sing. For three hours we drilled. After proving what could be done I turned them over to the worker who had objected and they developed into a widely demanded children's choir. Her patience with them resulted in a marvelous choir. At first the children only sang locally. Then the time came when they were called to cities out of the state. Our only means of transportation was a wagon at first. Then in 1946 God made it possible for us to purchase a new 1 1/2 ton Dodge truck. Everyone was thrilled. However when we were called to larger city churches as a dad I was greatly embarrassed when I had to unload my children out of a huge truck in front of a church. Under such conditions it was difficult to keep clean. These circumstances drove me headlong into a fanatic plunge of faith. I determined we would buy a new school bus. So I went to John Babb, owner of the Anderson Motor Company in Corbin, a man who has always been a staunch supporter of our work of his own free will. To the present day any of our vehicles can pull up to his gas pumps and fill up free of charge. He provides all our gas. I told him I wanted to buy a new Dodge 48 passenger school bus. His face broke into a grin and he made a few comments. He remembered that we bought a washing machine for about $100 and had a difficult time meeting the obligation. Now I wanted to buy a $4,000 vehicle! The interesting question could be - who had to have the most faith - John in me, or I in God? He was really on the spot. It turned out in the right spirit, for John let me know that he believed God stood behind us. I tried to impress on his mind that I had no money and didn't know where it would come from, but believed God would answer because it was a necessity for our children and their testimony to others. I told him I might have $10 when it came, I might have $1,000 or I might have it all. He calmly assured me that I had done crazier things, so he would take the risk. Months passed by. It was just at the close of the war in Europe. Metals were scarce. I placed a picture of the 1947 model, 48 passenger school bus on the wall in the dining room. Underneath the picture the word "Pray" was written. An undesirable sentiment began to grow among the staff. First one began to criticize and doubt, then another until their lack of faith began to torment me. Everyone assured me it was expecting too much from God in the face of other pending needs. My argument remained that if the other needs were greater God would supply them first. I would pray alone then for the bus. All the children prayed too, because they had a simple and child-like faith. Waiting and criticism began to drill into the very marrow of my faith. Slowly, shamefully, like a beaten and humiliated dog, I went to John Babb. "John, I'm afraid I'd better cancel the order for that bus!" "Cancel it? You can't! The chassis has been delivered to the Superior Body Works," he answered in a tone of slight disgust. Then he put me to shame for doubting. Of course it would be sometime yet before delivery and perhaps by that time something would happen and the staff might see more clearly. I left things as they were. So did John Babb. Life went on a usual. The Sears land still bothered me. Why didn't God allow me to get it? The answer came in the morning mail a few weeks before Christmas. Herschel Sutton, a local attorney who represents the G. C. H. in legal matters as does L. O. Siler of Williamsburg, all gratis, sent word that Dr. Sears had passed away and remembered the Home in his will! I went to investigate. Rumors of trouble began to brew in the immediate family circle. That was evidence enough that there must be truth in the information we received. I was directed to a certain Mrs. Jones. She seemed sympathetic toward the Home and of a kind disposition. "Preached Vogel, Dr. Sears wouldn't sell you that land because he heard a lot of talk against you by right smart of his friends and kin, and especially some of your neighbors. But law, you should have heard him. About six months ago he was here in Corbin and he made it his business to watch you. For one whole afternoon he followed you from place to place as you went about buying. He watched the food you bought and then talked to the grocer. He watched you at the hardware store, and several other places - just followed you all over and talked to people you dealt with. That settled him. He was all for you. It was then that he changed his will. "Course you can look for trouble. His kin folk will law you as long as they can." So he changed his mind. No! God changed it - because we were praying. No wonder trouble came! Dr. Sears not only willed all the land, seventy-three acres covered with second growth forest, but also what was left of his cash. According to the custom of wills, one usually has his patience tried by the duration of time and procedure of execution. But this one went through quickly. Within a couple of months we received $2,000 which we paid on the bus before its arrival. The balance was delayed because of the court case against us by relatives. It was ridiculous. The will stated our part as clear as a. b. c. So we won the case. But who can explain the law? We won the case but had to lose $1,000 of our money as payment for the suit brought against us. In other words, we had to pay others to sue us. That's a tough one. We received word our bus would be in July 17th. A few days later the entire balance of the will was executed making it possible to pay spot cash for the bus. The balance of the $8,000 was used for building. Imagine the children's joy as we unloaded them from our truck in the lot of the Anderson Motor Company and let them board the new family car. God had answered everything in consecutive order. This we call the triangle of the grace of God. We prayed to purchase the Sears land and God hardened the man's heart against us. Didn't pray for the Triplett land, but God provided the amount needed to but it. Prayed for a bus without financial assurance and God provided twice as much money as was needed at the time of its delivery and then gave us the land we sought to buy. God is still on the throne! |
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This Happened In The Hills of Kentucky
The city of Corbin, Kentucky has a population of about 9,000, and is the largest city in the southeastern part of the state. It is a city which has built its business from the hub of the Louisville and Nashville railroad shops. It is therefore a railroad center. One of the main reasons that Corbin did not progress as it should have was its inadequate water supply. That problem has now been overcome. I don't believe there is a city I would rather see flourish than this one, and no doubt the Almighty will, if Jesus tarries, make it an outstanding place. The people of Corbin are God-centered humanitarians. We find that people have a notion that Corbin is a little mountain town. The Trailways bus passes through Corbin; the Greyhound has a large station and terminal there; all south bound trains from the North and Northwest on the Louisville and Nashville run have a stop-over there. It has a daily paper, the Corbin Daily Tribune, of which J. L. Crawford is editor. The Corbin Times is edited by his brother, Jim. These two men have been kindly disposed toward our work, editorially and otherwise. Our children are keenly aware of the attitude of the city of Corbin toward the Galilean Children's Home. A binding acquaintanceship has been established principally through a radio broadcast over our local station, WCTT. For quite some time we put on this Gospel-singing broadcast until it became impossible to carry the extra load. However, because of repeated requests, we do expect some time in the future to return to the air. The last few years have witnessed a tremendous improvement in Corbin. There was one change that the greater part of the population didn't like and Beverly asked about it when we entered the city one day. "Daddy, has Corbin got a lot of birds?" I looked at her and said, "What makes you think so?" She looked at me sort of surprised. "Well, what did they put up so many bird houses for?" She was pointing to the new parking meters about every twenty feet lined up and down both sides of Main Street. Those things actually became a nuisance to us. There are plenty of scatter-brains who can't remember to put a nickel in every time they park and I am chief among them all. We never received a ticket for over-parking until one day things went against us. Someone on the police force became impatient and donated one of those little cards which they display under the windshield wiper. I went immediately to the police court to pay my fine. They wouldn't take it. They said the city of Corbin could not afford to charge the Galilean Children's Home to park on its streets while we were buying food and clothing for the children (thirty-two from Corbin) and that henceforth we should remember that for such a work as this, there was no charge for parking. That was one time I accepted a special privilege. We do not seek them but if we were to add up parking meter fees I roughly figured our parking meter bill would run several dollars each month. This general attitude of the city has made the children respect its people. One would think children who are accustomed to the hills would enjoy endless travel. This is not true, however. Regardless of where we go, from eight to ten days pass by and then there is a unanimous clamor to return. On the first trip the children made north they had everything from a cottage on a lake to motor boat rides, refreshments and Christian entertainment of every description, but when we drove south, crossed the Ohio, and hit the Kentucky border, there was screaming and shouting - and without any instructions the entire bus load of children began to sing "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow." But when we arrived at Corbin our feeling cannot be explained. There is something luring about the mountains. How many times I have sat with a family talking about the things of God in a little cabin on the mountainside. How quiet and unselfish life is in these mountain homes. There are feuds and difficulties everywhere but according to true Kentucky pattern, "He is what he is." A mountain man thinks. He knows that the Bible is God's Word. Corbin, as a city, is more Bible-minded than any other its size. Just recently the dry-wet issue came up by local option. The strategy of the wets, of course, was the same all the way through. A petition was sent throughout the city asking the citizens if they would like to get rid of bootleg liquor. After it was learned that this was a trick of the wets to get local option, only about five hundred signed the petition. Without delay the ministers and thousands of citizens combined their efforts to defeat this enemy of the American public. There was a parade of two hundred vehicles. Among the outstanding efforts to impress the public of the injuries and murder committed through drunkenness was a wrecker towing a demolished car and an ambulance following behind. After the election was held, there was more than a six-to-one majority against the legalized sale of liquor. I don't know how anything like that can be legalized, even if it is written in the statute books. All those carrying on the sale of this destroyer will find out how legal it is when they appear before the Almighty God. When the hand of man rules against the law of God on a mere scrap of paper, that statute does not cause it to become legal. I quote in part from the editorial of John Crawford's regarding this situation: The ministries of the community showed what they could do in the matter of leadership in a vital issue before the people. The campaign they conducted was well organized and highly effective. If they would now turn their efforts toward cooperating with the enforcement officers in stamping out crime, they could do a great work . . . There are those who say the preachers should stay in the pulpit, and not mix in everyday affairs of the community, especially those matters related to what we call politics . . . The Bible reveals, however, that Christ took a very active part in all avenues of the life of the people in His day . . . And I believe that the ministry of a pastor out of his pulpit is just as important as that of his formal services - provided he works with an understanding heart. I am vitally interested in politics, although I do not take a firm stand as far as a party is concerned. It is no longer a matter of party. It is a matter of men who stand for or against true American politics which trace their birth in the Bible. In seriousness and fun the citizens of Corbin are great to band together. I was amused by an article which appeared in the Corbin Tribune. Mr. MacMartin and his wife often release items concerned with the lighter side of life. I asked him if I could copy this particular story. His wife said I could. So here it is: Contributed by the society reporter for a group which recently met in the home of Mrs. Herbert Saylor. (Purpose of the meeting was to better acquaint a new member of the neighborhood with other members. We haven't learned if the guest of honor was duly impressed or if she is house hunting.) The Report: Sister Georgie (Minnie Pearl) Saylor's home was the scene of a lovely tea, drunk in honor of Sister Mary Alice Lay, a new filly in this neck of the woods. The house was decorated mighty purty with crepe paper, garden flowers and goldenrod which was a hugh mistake on account of they warn't enough handkerchiefs to go round, hay fever bein' a epidemic and everything. The music were played by Sister Aileen Chandler. We are sorry it is not knowed just what it were she played, but in justice to the pore soul let it be said she tried. A short (thank goodness) readin' was gave by the hostess' little Miss Ruth Ann Saylor. (Her maw is goin' to give her execution lessons. Amen to that.) The lovely tea table was overlaid with fresh newspaper, the centerpiece bein' a large bowl of fruit and fancy vegetables, flanked by glass candle holders holdin' lighted candles of contrary colors and sizes. The spiced tea served from a large aluminum kettle was poured with a dainty long handled dipper by Sister Margaret Owens. One nice thing about it, one lady was heered to say this was the first tea she ever was at where she got all the tea she could drink. (We guess that bunch guzzled at least 2 gallons without battin' a eye. Sister Saylor were that generous.) Store bought cookies were plenty for everybody, bein' placed handy about the table in silver lookin' pie pans. favors was paper cups filled with broke up peppermint candy on account of them with store teeth. A list of long, long ladies called during the p.m. besides the aforementioned, namely: Sisters Myra Owens, Marie Brooks, Jan Rose Pennington, Viola Barton, Willa Mae Meeks, Ella Mae Martin, Charlene Meeks, Junie Ohler and her 2 visitors from Barbourville whose names were plumb forgot. Sister Clydie Ohler sent her regrets as she were slightly decomposed. The minits of a premature meetin' was then read by the recordin' secretary, Sister Herb Saylor, after which the meetin' was adjourned. The Minits: Our last tea was drunk in the parlor of our dear member, Sister Chandler. Flower pots sot at disadvantage throughout the room. Cut bouquets of dog fennel interrupted with polecat flowers bein' the scheme. Lanterns glowed from a red checkered ile cloth. Sister Barton resided at the pianner softly playin, "Casey Jones" and Mr. Mozart's rendition of "Bile the Cabbage Down." Mrs. Chandler was beautiful in her purple chintz formality although the stress and strain of weeks of hard work and preparations for this even plainly showed in her sunken cheeks and holer yeys. Grandpappy's picture was sot on an easle in the corner by the bureau. Persisting Mrs. Chandler was her mammy, Mrs. Clyde Ohler, which wore a firey red drinkling skirt and a pink sarong. Hambone, taters, onions, fodder beans and pickled peppers was served with sassafras tea which was poured by Mrs. Chandler's sister-in-law, Mrs. Junie Ohler, after a heated argument as to who would pour it. Several beautiful selections was played on their foneygraf sech as "Rovin' Ramblers" and "Hungry Hash House," wound up with "Barbara Allen" and let me say here, they warn't a dry eye in the house. Sister Chandler herself fainted dead at four o'clock and her mammy rubbed her in camfire and got a little coal ile down her; she thereby revived and was able to bid her fifty-two guests farewell. P. S. I know you'uns will be glad to hear that Mrs. Chandler's mammy, who stomped her big toe on the parlor manoleum tryin' to shoo the chickens outen the house, is much improved at this writin'. Now that's just the way Corbin people have a little fun. In the early history of the work, up until it was about five years old, the city of Corbin scarcely knew there was a Galilean Children's Home. I recall going into a hardware. The owner was one of the first people to give me a friendly rebuke. Because of repeated purchases and because we always were looking for the unusual as well as unusual amounts, he asked me why in the world I was buying all this stuff! Casually I told him, "For a Children's Home." "Children's Home!" he exclaimed. "Where's a Children's Home around here?" "Oh, just about fourteen miles from here," I answered, scared he might think now I was going to suggest a discount. "Which way?" "Out on the Falls Road toward Bee Creek." "How long has it been there?" "Oh, about five years," I answered, now getting anxious to get out of his store before he asked any questions as to how it operated. That was embarrassing to me and still is. The only thing we can say is that we make our needs known to God and He answers prayer. But the moment we say we operate by faith the inevitable conclusion is "they must beg." "Why in the world didn't you tell me that you were buying all this stuff for children. I would have given you a big reduction," he replied. After hesitating I said, "That's just what I was afraid of. We hate to mention our work when engaged in buying because people immediately think we expect special consideration and can only buy certain things because of it, yet we do not want to ask for it." To date there are only a couple stores in the city of Corbin who do not give us any consideration or financial discount. Otherwise one may go from one end of the city to the other and know that they are acquainted with the Galileans by what they have voluntarily done for them. To give you an idea what it's like for us to go to Corbin with a group of children, note the following: It was a warm day in August. I asked the boys to help me in an emergency. "Boys!" I said, "If you dig that pipeline ditch from the main to the new guest house before you quit I'll take all thirteen of you to Corbin for treats tonight!" The earth began to fly! A line up of shovels and mattocks in orderly fashion revealed the boys' determination. So at 6:30 the victory shout went up. They got dressed and polished and off we went, all fourteen in our big nine-passenger family Dodge. First stop we all went for the main dish. The proprietor said, "Boys, what about some ice cream?" Of course, they didn't refuse it. As I went to pay, the proprietor said, "Oh no!! this is my privilege, no charge." All I could do was to thank him. As we turned around to drive away, Fessor Triplett who had a stack of watermelons beside his store shouted, "Hey Preacher, bring those boys here!" I did. He wanted to fill them up with watermelon. No charge. They began to bulge and hold their stomachs. Boys never stay stuffed more than thirty minutes so directly after this I said, "Boy's, what about a hamburger?" "Yes sir!" they shouted. Two of them groaned. Anyhow we stopped by a hamburger stand and a man walked up to the car as two boys went in to get the hamburgers and said, "Preacher, I'd like to buy the boys some ice cream at the Dairy Queen." He did. So we ate ice cream and hamburgers in the car. By this time they were getting filled up again. En route to South Corbin we stopped to fill the car with gas. No charge on out gas either. When we came to South Corbin I stopped to see a certain man. Before I could say anything he shouted, "Get out boy's, have some pop." Well, I looked at their faces and saw that we would have to get out of Corbin before somebody offered us anything else. A new restaurant was being constructed by Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Helton across from the tourist courts in the city of Corbin. After it was opened, we immediately made it one of our stopping places. After we had finished our meal and walked over to the cashier's desk to pay, she said, "No charge, Mr. Vogel." What could I say? How keenly I appreciated such kindness and how badly I needed that money just at that time only God knows. But now, how could I return? We cannot be spongers. We cannot take advantage of such kindness so I said to her, "Mrs. Helton, please allow us to pay something on our meals. That way we will feel more free to come in and order as we please for as many as we please. You know that every time we come to Corbin, there is at least two or a dozen more and they all eat as do I." "Well now, Mr. Vogel, I wouldn't feel right to charge you but let's just make it one price per plate no matter how much more each meal amounts to. That's just a favor to the Home now." I let it go at that. The meals are ninety cents to $1.75 but every time she can catch me either by myself or with a big enough group, she insists on slipping in the statement, "no charge," so we go there often as we please and when she takes that notion, we thank her and when we pay, we tell her we'll return. There's a lot of people acquainted with Harland Sanders too. He owns Sander's Tourist Court and Restaurant as you come into North Corbin where 25E and W divide. I might well say that the Lord have mercy on anyone who walks up to Mr. Sanders and speaks anything against the Galilean Children's Home. He has a terrific vocabulary and keeps none of it in reserve when called to the battle front in our behalf. I don't even try to reason with him. One time I stayed away for weeks because I owed him a little money on some furniture, which he also sells as a side line. I told him I would not eat at his place until I paid for my furniture. He dared me to stay away so I did. Know what happened? One Sunday morning, Harland Sanders came to the Galilean Children's Home. He stomped into my study with a face as red as a politician defending his point and told me he would give me a few more days to get myself and a gang of these kids into his restaurant or he and I would part forever. Know what I did? I went the next day with a car full. Now he likes me again. From then on I never tried to argue with Harland Sanders. If we paid for our food, one could understand his being offended. But being the kind of restaurant it is and serving the food he does and trying to make us take it for nothing made me feel I was imposing on him. There is nothing this man will not do for the Galilean Children's Home. Now there's one fellow by the name of John Babb, to whom we have referred before. He is the owner of Anderson Motor Company. I seldom argue with him either. I remember buying a washing machine from him in the early part of our history. We thought the money for it was secure within a few month's time and bought it. The money never came. It was months before we could pay for the washer. The next step that we made toward testing his trust in us was the purchase of the forty-eight passenger school bus, almost a $4000 proposition. He trusted us because we trusted in God as the story has been told. He too has made it possible for us to buy many things in the line of appliances which otherwise we could never have afforded. The greatest daily gift in the city of Corbin however is free gas at his pump for all our vehicles. Only God knows how difficult it is to save that much out each day. Dyche's Drug Store is our general meeting place. After workers and children go up and down the streets of town and do their shopping, we seldom miss each other because of this arrangement. Mr. Everet Dyche, during the sixteen years of my ministry in the hills, sold me medicine and other necessities at cost price, making it possible for me to care for hundreds of cases in the hills. Cottongim's Drug Store has also helped on this behalf. One might also realize what a tremendous problem dry cleaning is with ninety-five people to clothe. Since we must appear in public so much and our children travel thousands of miles, it is necessary to have clothing that needs dry cleaning. This too has been cared for by God. The Weed Laundry of Corbin contributes all dry cleaning work. This is a great blessing. Also, when our laundry facilities failed to operate, John and Waldo Kammon, proprietors of Weed's Laundry did all our washing without charge. John Kammon is always ready to help in our engineering problems. The Wilson Dry Cleaners have also been a blessing to us in a different way. I must not forget Baker's Furniture Store. We get everything from them at cost. Mitchell's Hardware contributed our first refrigerator unit. Wilder's Hardware has also liberally contributed to our necessities. Baker's Plumbing Store is numbered also among our liberal supporters. Murphey's Ladies Apparel Store for several years has given many dollars worth of new clothing. Belk-Simpson has given us a standing discount of twenty per cent which makes our burden much lighter as far as shoes and clothing are concerned. Graffs Ladies' and Childrens' Store sells us everything wholesale. We cannot fail to mention Baker's grocery store and especially Triplett's in South Corbin who assists us in any wholesale buying. Doctors Triplett, Ohler, Keith and Truman Smith all give free medical, X-ray and surgical services when needed. The Smiths are responsible for full hospitalization. Dr. Mory, a chiropractor, also renders his service gratis. Dr. Steele gives one-half price on all optical work and Dr. Riddel and Dr. Ballou much free dental work. Viv Jewelry Store has made it possible for me to get a few unusual gifts as rewards for my children. Warren's Jewelry has measured grace abundant. And so it goes from Bohers, Nobel Yeary gas station, L. W. Yeary Tourist Court, Creechs and Tripletts of South Corbin on through the city to North Corbin at Sosh's Standard Oil Station, Harland Sanders and Hart's Furniture Store. If we attempted to list the names of all who help us, it would involve almost every merchant in Corbin. So lest we forget some we will cease to mention others. Such is the attitude of the Corbin people toward the Galileans. May the riches of the grace of God rest upon that city. It would thrill our souls beyond measure if you who read these words would send a letter or card of appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce of Corbin, Kentucky, thanking them for their kindness as a city toward the Galileans. In so doing you will glorify the Lord Jesus, the Great Galilean. |
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