Carrollton, Kentucky (1932 - 1934)
After a short time with Father and Mother Bolender, a call came from the Carrollton Church which was accepted. Our friend Rev. R. W. Wolfe was the District Superintendent. The church was well organized but did not have a large membership. Our living quarters were three rooms on the rear of the church with a half bath in the basement. We had become accustomed to fitting into circumstances as we found them, always grateful for a place to work for the Lord. Our first difficulty was that we had no pianist. I could not play, whereas the former pastor’s wife could. We made it a subject of prayer and wrote our District Superintendent about our need. He recommended a young lady from Pinsonfork, in Eastern Kentucky. When we wrote her, she was glad to accept the position even though we were unable to promise any salary. She proved to be a real blessing not only as pianist, but also had a good voice for leading singing and rendering solos. She also was a good leader among the young people. I am sure her time spent with us proved to help build a foundation for her future life in evangelistic singing. Miss Mable Miller later became Mrs. A. D. Brown and faithfully labored with him in evangelistic and pastoral work. After she left, Sister Acree had sufficiently recovered from a serious illness to take Sister Miller’s place.
Being in the middle of the great depression, finances were low. Few in our church had steady employment, but God took care of us. We never went hungry. Those were days when many were on WPA. Brother Bolender was asked to be an assistant to the county garden supervisor. This was not a high-paying job, but it served two purposes: it helped to supplement our meager income, and also provided a way for my husband to contact many people in the surrounding communities.
We had a good revival with Rev. Curtis Posey as evangelist. Among the converts, was a 13 year old girl who became a valuable worker in the church and a fearless capable witness for Christ wherever she was. On one occasion, her class at school was recessed for a period and playing a game, pleased or displeased. When one boy was asked the question pleased or displeased, his reply was displeased. Then as the game progressed, the next question followed, “What will it take to please you?” Immediately he answered, “To have Betty Sutherland pray.” A quietness settled down as Betty bowed her head, closed her eyes, and with a clear voice offered a sincere unassuming prayer. There was no giggling or taunting, for to know Betty at home, school, or church was to be convinced of the genuiness of her Christian profession and character.
Christmas time was drawing near and big plans were in the air. For one thing, our Christmas program was original. I wrote it as the background for an appeal for an orphanage outreach. The Lord really helped, not only in the writing of the program, but also in the presentation of it, delivered by a simple challenge to share what we have with those less fortunate. A freewill offering was taken which made it possible for our church to meet our obligations to the orphanage located at Kingswood at that time. Our next excitement was the children having the privilege of being at Grandpa and Grandma Bolenders for the first Christmas since infancy.
What a wonderful Christmas we had in 1932. First, Christmas Eve with my sister Beatrice and her family in Cincinnati, then on to Felicity where all was ready. The big live tree stood in the corner, the top reaching the ceiling, beautifully decorated. Mother and Father Bolender had already deposited their gifts around the tree and as each family arrived their gifts were added. Grandma presided, getting everyone comfortably seated; then the Christmas devotions were conducted, reading of Scripture and prayer. Not a child touched a gift or toy, for they had all been taught the sacredness of the Worship of God. Now the fun begins as Herbert or Harry starts calling names and handing gifts. That year our family numbered 17. Grandma had most of the bountiful Christmas dinner ready or in the oven. The younger cooks brought dishes to help. The large oak table was opened and each extra leaf in place and covered with a snow white cloth and Grandma’s best china. Soon we could almost hear that grand old table groan under the weight of the bountiful holiday feast. Seventeen hungry people soon lessened the weight on the table. The children fled to the upstairs rooms to try out their new toys. I was usually able to persuade my husband and his sister to coax Mom into another part of the house and keep her occupied while my sister-in-law and I cleared the table and washed the dishes. That was more of a pleasure than a chore. As evening approached the brother and sister with their families left, for each had chores at home to do. We were left to extend our visit with our precious parents. This became a family habit, all of us meeting at home.
Being in the middle of the great depression, finances were low. Few in our church had steady employment, but God took care of us. We never went hungry. Those were days when many were on WPA. Brother Bolender was asked to be an assistant to the county garden supervisor. This was not a high-paying job, but it served two purposes: it helped to supplement our meager income, and also provided a way for my husband to contact many people in the surrounding communities.
We had a good revival with Rev. Curtis Posey as evangelist. Among the converts, was a 13 year old girl who became a valuable worker in the church and a fearless capable witness for Christ wherever she was. On one occasion, her class at school was recessed for a period and playing a game, pleased or displeased. When one boy was asked the question pleased or displeased, his reply was displeased. Then as the game progressed, the next question followed, “What will it take to please you?” Immediately he answered, “To have Betty Sutherland pray.” A quietness settled down as Betty bowed her head, closed her eyes, and with a clear voice offered a sincere unassuming prayer. There was no giggling or taunting, for to know Betty at home, school, or church was to be convinced of the genuiness of her Christian profession and character.
Christmas time was drawing near and big plans were in the air. For one thing, our Christmas program was original. I wrote it as the background for an appeal for an orphanage outreach. The Lord really helped, not only in the writing of the program, but also in the presentation of it, delivered by a simple challenge to share what we have with those less fortunate. A freewill offering was taken which made it possible for our church to meet our obligations to the orphanage located at Kingswood at that time. Our next excitement was the children having the privilege of being at Grandpa and Grandma Bolenders for the first Christmas since infancy.
What a wonderful Christmas we had in 1932. First, Christmas Eve with my sister Beatrice and her family in Cincinnati, then on to Felicity where all was ready. The big live tree stood in the corner, the top reaching the ceiling, beautifully decorated. Mother and Father Bolender had already deposited their gifts around the tree and as each family arrived their gifts were added. Grandma presided, getting everyone comfortably seated; then the Christmas devotions were conducted, reading of Scripture and prayer. Not a child touched a gift or toy, for they had all been taught the sacredness of the Worship of God. Now the fun begins as Herbert or Harry starts calling names and handing gifts. That year our family numbered 17. Grandma had most of the bountiful Christmas dinner ready or in the oven. The younger cooks brought dishes to help. The large oak table was opened and each extra leaf in place and covered with a snow white cloth and Grandma’s best china. Soon we could almost hear that grand old table groan under the weight of the bountiful holiday feast. Seventeen hungry people soon lessened the weight on the table. The children fled to the upstairs rooms to try out their new toys. I was usually able to persuade my husband and his sister to coax Mom into another part of the house and keep her occupied while my sister-in-law and I cleared the table and washed the dishes. That was more of a pleasure than a chore. As evening approached the brother and sister with their families left, for each had chores at home to do. We were left to extend our visit with our precious parents. This became a family habit, all of us meeting at home.
