Maysville, Kentucky (1920)
Our next charge was at Maysville, Kentucky. God blessed our ministry there, but we had great difficulty. The church was built facing the C&O Railroad tracks. It was almost impossible to continue teaching or preaching while trains rumbled by, whistling for the next stop.
The neighborhood had one rough youth whose greatest sport was disturbing public worship. We were told that he had knocked down the pastor on his way home for rebuking him for disturbing service. Soon after moving on the charge, we were warned about Tony Chaffin. We did not have to wait long, because evidently, he had heard that a new young preacher had come to the holiness church on the railroad. One Sunday night, a young man whom we did not recognize, walked in. At once, we saw several people exchanging glances. Soon after the service began, Tony started his fun by talking loudly. My husband called for order, but very soon after, Tony resumed his loud talk. At this, he spoke clearly that we were in God's house and that order must be obtained. In a short time, Tony continued loud talking, so Bro. Bolender looked some of the members directly in the face, and asked, “Do any of you know this young man?" Several nodded their heads. Without any expression of anger or frustration, Harry stated that the case would be reported on Monday. With no more disturbance, the service continued. On Monday, Harry went to the police headquarters to give a full account of the occurrence. A date was set for the trial. When we appeared for the trial, we were surprised that no other witnesses were there. A stern judge asked, "Are you Tony Chaffin?" Tony said he was. The judge said, "You are indicted for disturbing public worship at the Holiness church on the railroad. Guilty or not guilty?" Tony said, “Not guilty.” The judge brought his fist down on the desk and said “Lay it down here.” Tony paid his fine. The case was dismissed and we never heard of him disturbing the public worship again.
While on this charge, we were blest with the help of a fine Christian young man by the name of Earl Dryden. He wasn’t a member of our church, but he taught a class of young boys for us. Earl had a good job and supported his widowed mother. He was well known for his deeds of kindness to the needy. Many loads of coal were delivered to a poor family with the information that Earl Dryden had paid for it. Shoes and coats were bought so girls and boys could go to school and church. One Saturday, Earl took his boys’ class for a quiet picnic. They went to a shallow point on the Ohio River where some waded and some swam in the water. No one ever knew what happened, but all at once the boys missed Earl. His body was later found. We shall never forget that funeral. The church was filled with influential people of the town. Many of the poorer class people filed past his casket. Mothers held their little ones to look for the last time upon the face of Mr. Earl. Tears streamed down the faces of both the old and the young. Many things are hard to understand.
Many pastors have since then come and gone, but today the Maysville Wesleyan Church continues pointing souls to the Savior. Years after we left Maysville, the church was able to relocate in a more desirable neighborhood. While at Maysville in 1920, I was licensed to preach.[1]
[1] Bertha was also a preacher.
The neighborhood had one rough youth whose greatest sport was disturbing public worship. We were told that he had knocked down the pastor on his way home for rebuking him for disturbing service. Soon after moving on the charge, we were warned about Tony Chaffin. We did not have to wait long, because evidently, he had heard that a new young preacher had come to the holiness church on the railroad. One Sunday night, a young man whom we did not recognize, walked in. At once, we saw several people exchanging glances. Soon after the service began, Tony started his fun by talking loudly. My husband called for order, but very soon after, Tony resumed his loud talk. At this, he spoke clearly that we were in God's house and that order must be obtained. In a short time, Tony continued loud talking, so Bro. Bolender looked some of the members directly in the face, and asked, “Do any of you know this young man?" Several nodded their heads. Without any expression of anger or frustration, Harry stated that the case would be reported on Monday. With no more disturbance, the service continued. On Monday, Harry went to the police headquarters to give a full account of the occurrence. A date was set for the trial. When we appeared for the trial, we were surprised that no other witnesses were there. A stern judge asked, "Are you Tony Chaffin?" Tony said he was. The judge said, "You are indicted for disturbing public worship at the Holiness church on the railroad. Guilty or not guilty?" Tony said, “Not guilty.” The judge brought his fist down on the desk and said “Lay it down here.” Tony paid his fine. The case was dismissed and we never heard of him disturbing the public worship again.
While on this charge, we were blest with the help of a fine Christian young man by the name of Earl Dryden. He wasn’t a member of our church, but he taught a class of young boys for us. Earl had a good job and supported his widowed mother. He was well known for his deeds of kindness to the needy. Many loads of coal were delivered to a poor family with the information that Earl Dryden had paid for it. Shoes and coats were bought so girls and boys could go to school and church. One Saturday, Earl took his boys’ class for a quiet picnic. They went to a shallow point on the Ohio River where some waded and some swam in the water. No one ever knew what happened, but all at once the boys missed Earl. His body was later found. We shall never forget that funeral. The church was filled with influential people of the town. Many of the poorer class people filed past his casket. Mothers held their little ones to look for the last time upon the face of Mr. Earl. Tears streamed down the faces of both the old and the young. Many things are hard to understand.
Many pastors have since then come and gone, but today the Maysville Wesleyan Church continues pointing souls to the Savior. Years after we left Maysville, the church was able to relocate in a more desirable neighborhood. While at Maysville in 1920, I was licensed to preach.[1]
[1] Bertha was also a preacher.
