Bill Clark

How I thank God for this wonderful salvation. At the age of seventeen I was bound by sin. In 1912, I came to Portland, Oregon, from Grants Pass, and worked in a big sawmill.

One day after I had been in Portland for about three years, I heard a group of people from the Apostolic Faith Church telling the wonderful Gospel story. I made up my mind I was going to have what they had, if I could get it.

That morning the load of sin was heavy on my heart; it had been for a long time. I was afflicted in my body. I had a sore spot on my lung that was left there from pneumonia. The doctor told my mother that I should go to Arizona or New Mexico, but I came to Portland instead.

I believe God saw that there was still some faith in my heart.

One Sunday morning I went to the church at Front and Burnside and sat in the hall. God was talking to my heart. I was all melted up. The minister asked if anyone wanted anything from God. I raised my hand, and had hardly gotten out in the aisle, when I cried out, “Oh God!” The Lord heard that prayer; and you know He rolled that burden away right there and gave me praises in my heart.

It wasn’t long until I left Portland and went my way, and it was fifteen years before I came back. I didn’t run away from God. I went through world War I. My sister gave me a New Testament and I carried it in my pocket. It was a comfort to me. I believe God saw that there was still some faith in my heart. When I got back I went to Grants Pass and to the little church there. I said, “God, if You will give back the peace, joy, and victory that You gave me in Portland, I will serve You the rest of my life.” He heard that prayer, and came down and saved my soul. I love the Gospel these days. I have it down in my heart. I am looking forward to seeing Jesus. That is what I am living for.