I am now in my sixty-fourth year. I joined the Alabama Presbytery forty-two years ago, a poor ignorant boy, as far as book knowledge was concerned; but through the encouragement and prayers of the best preaches, as I thought on earth, I climbed up to where some people said I should preach.

I always loved the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; but by the time I reached ordination and took charge as pastor, I knew I loved her ways and doctrine better than any church on earth, and thank God I still, until this good day, think the same.

I have tried to be true to my church and my God through all our troubles and the division. I did not spend any time in trying to locate myself. I said to my wife: "If the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ceases to be, I will never join any other."

When the Morrilton Presbytery elected me as their representative to attend the Decatur Assembly in 1906, I called for their instructions as to how they wanted me to vote on the question of Union. They seemed to have no instructions for me.

Out of sixteen preachers in the Presbytery we lost two. Dear brethren, I did not believe that there was any power on earth that could destroy the grand old battle-scarred Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She has saved many, many souls and will continue saving them unto the end of the world. God bless our dear old heroes of the past. Their number is growing smaller and smaller. We have a tear of grief for every one as he falls.

Ah! Lord, with faltering steps I creep,
And sometimes sing, and sometimes weep;
When shall I wake in heaven, to prove
The heights and depths of Jesus' love?

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J. L. Price and W. P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: The Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 286-287]