1924

Mrs. W. H. Burks, of Tennessee, brought the message of the afternoon, "Today God Needs Men and Women Through Whom He Can Work," opening with prayer. She emphasized our limitless responsibilities, the need of daily home worship and prayer, and the influence of Calvary. While "I'll Live for Him" was sung, the audience laid their offerings on the table--$963.4 (The offering now amounts to $1,203.49).

Mrs. Burks then made the plea for life offering.

. . .

Miss Edith Brintle, of Oklahoma, offered unreservedly her life services to the Cause of Missions.

[Source: Report of the Forty-Fourth Annual Missionary Convention of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Held in Austin, Texas, May 14-21, 1924, (May 18) page 35]

1928

Miss Ethel Brintle and Miss Bernice Barnett were consecrated and commissioned to the foreign field March 11. The consecration and commission service was held at Addison Avenue Church, Nashville, Tenn. Rev. T. A. DeVore, moderator of the General Assembly, delivered the consecration address, and Mrs. Johnie Massie Clay, president of the Woman's Board of Missions, commissioned them. The young ladies left Nashville March 14 New York, and sailed March 20 for South America. They go to Cali, Colombia, where they join Rev. Walter L. Swartz and wife to do missionary work in a Roman Catholic stronghold.

There is a great work to be done in that country. There is opposition to evangelistic work there still; but, according to Brother Swartz and others, the people are gradually turning to Christ. They are calling for Protestant missionaries to teach them, and Miss Brintle and Miss Barnett have answered that call. They go with the prayers of the Church for them and their success. In lonely hours, in times when they are homesick and, perchance, are discouraged, they should know that the Church is behind them with its prayers and its support.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, March 29, 1928, page 1]

The sailing of two new missionaries, Miss Ethel Brintle and Miss Bernice Barnett, for South America within recent days, ought to bring to each of us a sense both of joy and of solemn responsibility. We rejoice that the Lord has honored us and them in calling them into this highest Christian service; and we are sobered by the reflection that some of our choicest, best prepared, most valuable people have left home, kindred and the things that are dear to the normal heart, to go into the midst of prejudice, superstition, ignorance, disease and possible death, trusting us implicitly to provide for them the necessities of life and adequate facilities for successful work.

When these young people volunteered for foreign mission service they did not pledge for one year, nor five, but for life. When they presented themselves as applicants for appointment to the Mission Board they did not ask to be sent out on trial, but without reservation they dedicated themselves to this service so long as health, strength and life afford. We are depending on them to be faithful representatives of us as Cumberland Presbyterians, and to bear loyal witness to the truths of the New Testament. Have they not a right to depend equally as much on us to support them with out interest, our prayers, our sympathy and our money? We should be shocked and grieved beyond measure should any of these missionaries prove unworthy and unfaithful. Have they not the right to demand of us an equal faithfulness in our share of the enterprise? We have utmost confidence that they will not fail us, for they represent the finest products of our Christian homes, schools and colleges. They unhesitantly put their lives over against our money. What shame to us would it be if we fail them!

Study their lives and their pictures. Look into their eager, frank, expectant, honest, unselfish faces. Read between the lines the romance of years of study and preparation looking forward to this great adventure for God when they should go forth to be pioneers of a new civilization in lands of sin and ignorance. Picture the long years of labor, filled with hardship, discouragements, disappointments, as well as joy of service, peace in the midst of conflicts, rejoicing over victories won through the power of the Holy Spirit. Then put them on your prayer list, and do not idly forget them during the years that lie ahead.

The sailing of these two new workers gives us four missionaries on the new field of South America. They are to us a constant challenge to faith that knows no defeat and love that knows no denying. God grant that the millions who remain shall be worthy of these who have gone in our stead!

Last week there appeared in this department a detailed account of the commission service of the two outgoing missionaries. In the charge given to the missionaries by Mrs. Johnie Massey Clay, president of the Woman's Board of Missions, the following questions were asked the girls, and they answered respectively:

Question.--Do you accept the Bible as God's word, and will you make it a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path?

Answer.--I do and I will.

Question.--Will you strive to walk so close to your Savior's side that you will ever carry his blessed presence to the hearts and home of those to whom you minister?

Answer.--I will.

Question.--Will you, in the presence of these who love you and trust you, promise to be true to the denomination, which, by this service and the commission which is to follow, pledges itself to love, sustain and pray for you?

Answer.--I promise.

Question.--Will you cheerfully accept the direction of those whom the Church has or may set over you in the prosecution of your task?

Answer.--I will.

To look into their faces assured every one present that they were not merely saving words, but that the answers came from their hearts. Oh, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, God has presented this splendid opportunity before us to take his gospel to sin-ridden South America; these girls have answered the call--dare we fail them? Dare we fail him--our Christ, who is depending on us to support these girls with our prayers and our means?

If ever these girls and Reverend and Mrs. Swartz need our prayers it is now. The hard tasks are yet ahead. Yes, it was just a little hard for them to leave home, friends, America; but if every one could have seen their smiling faces as they left Nashville for New York; if everyone could have seen them as they looked back just as long as they could to the Board members and friends who were at the station, smiling through their tears, it would not be felt that they were making any sacrifice, but that their long-looked for moment had come and their dreams were about to be realized! They repeatedly said, "Tell the Church not to forget us!"

I was born in Oklahoma Territory, six years before it became a state. School houses were very scarce in those days, and church houses were even more scarce. One of the first things I can remember is the fear I felt as I saw my father and other men of our little neighborhood climbing upon the high scaffolds as they were building Mr. Vernon Church.

Our home was Christian home, and one in which the work of the church was the chief interest. My father was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, and it was only natural for my brothers, sister and me to work in the church as we grew older. As our house was very close to the church it became the home of the pioneer preachers, who left their families and brought us the gospel. At times we did not see a preacher nor hear a sermon for a year or two, but our little Sunday school never ceased to function.

Upon one occasion, I remember, late in the afternoon, we saw a man approaching our home. We ran to tell mother a peddler was stopping to see us. A look of disgust crossed her face, for the peddlers were a nuisance. However, after he knocked and the door was opened, we heard this: "I am A. A. Collins, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher." That was quite different. As he returned quite often, working with and preaching to us, often walking long distances through heat or cold, and as he lived so close to Christ that one could not help but be made better by contact with him, he became the ideal of my young life. How I wanted to be like him; how I wanted to make others happy as he was doing! Often these thoughts filled my childish mind for hours.

At the age of 11 I was converted and joined the church, but I can't remember when I did not love our Christ. As I learned to talk and walk around my mother's knee, I heard the songs of Jesus sung and heard thanks given to him for our food. It seems, as I search back through my life, I can find no moment when he was not near and watching over me, except when he was shut off my heart by my own selfishness or blindness after I became older.

At the age of 5 I entered school. I went to a small two-room school until I completed the eighth grade. The following year I was sent with my brothers and sister to high school.

During the years I often read or heard of the people in South America; of the Indians and others who had never heard the gospel. Naturally enough, I began to dream dreams of carrying the gospel to them. It became the living purpose of my life to try, in some way, to serve the One who had done so very much for me. In it all I continually asked Christ to guide me, to direct me where he would have me work. Little did I realize the vastness of the task for which I was asking; yet, no task is too great for the hand of him who made all things.

When these dreams and ideals had time to become a part of me, to become my very life itself, gradually, but surely, the realization came upon me that God was calling, and I must, if I would live right, follow him unreservedly. I had been brought in contact with him so constantly that he had become the very soul of my soul. What a glorious heritage! Whatever my life may have, or will accomplish in the future, will only be the result of those early days of training.

As four of us graduated from college at the same time, father was not able to send us any farther, although he wanted to do so very much. Since receiving the B.A. degree in 1922, I have taught two years, have attended Bethel College one year, and in June, 1927, received the M.A. degree from Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tenn.

Being conscious of the greatness of the task before me, and of my weakness, I have tried to get the best education possible; and I feel keenly the need of more thorough training, for I would "show myself approved a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the work of truth."

The last few years have been a wonderful revelation to me. New standards and ideals have been set up. Many times have I proved the strength and love of our Captain, and not once has he failed me, even though, at times, the way was as dark as midnight.

In 1926 [sic: 1924] I went to Austin, Texas, and while there, placed myself under the care of the Woman's Board. As I have lived in Oklahoma, and as very few of the members of the Board has come my way, I have not had, as many others have had, the opportunity of coming in close contact with them. However, since I have been in touch with them I believe that God has led and directed our course. The work which we are facing is a wonderful work, and one in which the strength of mind, body and soul is tested, but God is sufficient.

Sometimes I am asked if I am not "afraid to go," or, if it will not be "too lonely," but my answer is always this: "Prove me know, sayeth the Lord." Yes, prove him! God is not a fancy, nor a dream, but a great reality, and he flings out the challenge to us to prove him. Yet, would we fear and tremble when we have God as our Father and Christ as our elder brother? "Oh, ye (we) little faith."

Some hint at a possible failure, and to these I say: "Better to fail at a noble task than to succeed at as mean one." Ah, there is Something which has challenged me to go! Something which has dared me to trust all to him, and now that the challenge is accepted a sweetness has come into my life, "a sweet consolation the world did not give and the world cannot take it away,"--the comradeship of our friend, Jesus!
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, March 29, 1928, pages 5-6]

Dear Friends and Co-workers:

As we have been in Cali only one and a half months, and have done practically nothing but study, we feel that we have but little to say this year.

First of all, we are very glad to be here, and we like our new home more than it is possible to tell you. We had a wonderful trip, which was made more pleasant by letters from friends over the Church. And let me say here that we should like to have more of these letters.

Cali and the surrounding towns are by pretty Spanish towns which are quite modern. Such terms as "Socialist" and "Liberal" are very common here, and the Colombia Government has no little trouble with the Socialist Movement. All this shows us that, as in our own country, things are changing rapidly, and we must work now and not tomorrow. Ten or even five years from now may be too late. Many of the Colombians have turned, and are turning, from the established order to something else. But what is that something else? In many instances it is nothing. We have a wonderful opportunity here if we can only get the vision.

Only yesterday a man came asking for Mr. Swartz to come and preach to them. They also want a teacher and have quite a school ready and waiting, but we have no one to send them. What will be our answer if we do not hear the prayer of this man and send him and his community the gospel? Will you not send us preachers, teachers and school supplies? We need at least two more workers now, and as it takes some time to learn the language they should come immediately.

Miss Barnett and I began teaching a few classes last week. We hope to get a speaking knowledge of the language more readily this way. When I do into the schoolroom to teach I often think as I see the bright faces and eager eyes, "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me." This challenges us to put the very best we have into the work.

Will you no pray, and will you not act at this Convention? We can do things if we want to; the question is, do we want to?

May Christ bless you in the work of the Convention and give you determination to do and faith to believe in His promises.

Remember us in your prayers.

[Source: Report of the Forty-Eighth Annual Missionary Convention of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church., June 20-24, 1928, page 60]

1944

Rev. Martiniano Fajardo and family moved to Armenia when Mrs. Plutarco Road (Ethel Brintle), Rev. Roa and their children returned to the states for her furlough. Martiniano, the stalwart Christian that he is, did a splendid work in that field.

It was with sadness and disappointment that the Church learned that Rev. and Mrs. Roa voluntarily withdrew as missionaries under the Board of Foreign Missions of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The board made every reasonable effort to make it possible for them to return to the work in South America on a basis satisfactory to themselves but they decided that for the best interests of their children they preferred to remain here. The work of Rev. and Mrs. Roa stands for itself in Colombia and represents years of faithful service under the direction of this board. They were a distinct loss to the work. The board and the whole Church wished for them rich rewards for their labors as they seek happiness in the work of the Church of the United Brethren among Spanish-speaking people in Florida.
[Source: "the Annual Report for the Convention Year 1943-1944 in The Missionary Messenger, August 1944, pages 10-11]

James Albert Brintle
[son of William Henery Brintle and Mary Ann Patterson]
Charter member - Mt. Vernon Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma)
born: 18 August 1872 - Cornersville, Marshall County, Tennessee
died: 1 March 1961 - Indian Rocks Beach, Pinellas County, Florida
buried: Oakdale Cemetery - Cowden, Washita County, Oklahoma
wife: Martha Ella McCollum
Charter member - Mt. Vernon Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma)
born: 1872
died: 1937
buried: Mountain View Cemetery - Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma

Children of James Albert Brintle and Martha Ella McCollum Brintle:

1. Iva Lou Brintle
born: 1891
died: 1983
husband: ? Blasingame

2. Nelson Lee Brintle
born: 1894
died: 1974

3. S. Gertrude Brintle
born: 2 June 1897
died: 23 May 1973
husband: Evan Moad

4. Shirley Lance Brintle
born: 1898
died: 1982

5. Mary Ethel Brintle
born: 16 August 1900 - Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma Territory
died: 18 March 1987 - Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
buried: Lake Carroll Cemetery - Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
married: 25 July 1933 - Cali, Colombia, South America
husband: Plutarco Roa
born: 13 June 1900 - Colombia, South America
died: August 1980 - Indian Rocks Beach, Pinellas County, Florida
buried: Lake Carroll Cemetery - Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida

Children of Mary Ethel Brintle Roa and Plutarco Roa:

5.1. Ruth Jean Roa

5.2. Priscilla Janice Roa
married: June 1967 - Pinellas County, Florida
husband: Alfred Gonzalez

5.3. John Plutarco Roa
born: January 1939 -
died: 17 April 1981 - Emporia, Greensville County, Virginia
married: June 1964 - Hillsborough County, Florida
wife: Joan Searcy
born: 1940 - Harrison County, Ohio
died: 19 April 1981 -Emporia, Virginia

Child of John Plutarco Roa and Joan Searcy Roa:

5.3.1. John Plutarco Roa
born: 1967 - Selma, Dallas County, Alabama
died: 19 April 1981 - Emporia, Virginia

 

6. William Henry Brintle
born: 1905
died: 1986

7. James Garland Brintle
born: 31 August 1911 - near Carnegie, Caddo County, Oklahoma
died: 3 January 1946 - Lewisburg, Marshall County, Tennessee
buried: Mountain View Cemetery - Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma
married: 1930
wife: Frances Vestal
born: 10 June 1910 - Maury County, Tennessee
died: 1 February 2011 - Barstow, San Bernardino County, California
buried: Mountain View Cemetery - Mountain View, Kiowa County, Oklahoma

Child of James Garland Brintle and Frances Vestal Brintle:

7.1. Betty Ann Brintle
born: 5 February 1933 - Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee
died: 9 December 2012
buried: Beechwood Cemetery - Cornersville, Marshall County, Tennessee
1st husband: Allen A. Heibeck

Children of Betty B. Brintle Heibeck and Allen A. Heibeck:

7.1.1. David Heibeck
wife: Judi

7.1.2. Richard Heibeck

7.1.3. Jon Heibeck

 

2nd husband: Tommy Ellis
3rd husband: Harry S. Hooper

7.2 Mary Ellen Brintle
husband: Don Doggett

7.3. James Albert Brintle
died:

7.3. William Oscar Brintle
wife: Carol

7.4. Joseph V. Brintle
wife: Sherry

7.5. James Garland "Jim" Brintle, Jr.
wife: Sharron

7.6. Robert E. "Bobby" Brintle
wife: Annette