Emerson Matthews

Thank God for victory down in my soul! I don’t deserve it, for I have never done anything worthy of the mercy and love of God. But I thank Him for reaching me when I was broken-hearted, discouraged, and tired of life. I had nothing to live for. My life was just a tangle of sin, heartache, misery, and despair. Although just a young man, I was bound by every habit and appetite, and I didn’t know which way to go. Brought up in the environment of the shingle mills and logging camps, I know what sin is. I used to roll on my bed at night not able to sleep. The old life stared me in the face, and I wondered where it was all going to end.

Then I came in contact with the Apostolic Faith people. A group of them came into our community and held revival services in the old Methodist church. I went one night and listened to what they had to say. What appealed to my heart was the enthusiasm they had in wanting to tell the story of Jesus. I realized there was something to the Gospel they were presenting. Thank God that I sat and listened to what they had to say. My heart caught the joyful sound that Jesus saves. These people didn’t tell me to turn over a new leaf and do the best I could. They told me God could save me, and they told me to pray. That sounded good to me; that sounded like something real. They told me in such a manner that I had to believe it. At the close of their meeting, I lifted my hand for prayer, went to the altar, got upon my knees before God, and asked Him to forgive me for the sins I had committed. I told Him I would give Him my life if He would just give me what these people were telling me about.

I didn’t get saved that night. Somehow I couldn’t believe that God would save me. I believed their testimonies; I believed they were saved, but I couldn’t believe the Lord would ever save me. The next Friday night, I went to another meeting. After the service, I went forward again and prayed to God for mercy. That night, I wanted God more than anything else in all the world and He saved me. I knew it. He broke the habits of sin and set me free. He took out the blue Mondays and the sleepless nights. He gave me peace in my heart and made a wonderful change in my life.

That has been over fifty years ago. Although the building has been remodeled many times, I believe I could take you right to the very spot where God spoke peace to my heart.

The next day I went back to the shingle mill and it looked different. Everything seemed changed—the whole world seemed new. It was not changed, but I had that new world in my heart. I continued working in the shingle mills, but here was one shingle weaver who had the victory. I thank God I have a little bit of the Heavenly sunshine burning down in my soul and the hope of eternal life.

Over the years, I have seen many turn over a new leaf. I have seen them throw away the alcohol bottle, cigarettes, and tobacco, and then say they would never touch them again. Then I have seen them go back to those things. Thank God, the Lord has kept me with peace in my heart, and today I have the victory.

I thank God for the fellowship of His saints and ministry. I thank Him for the old-time religion. The way is not becoming tiresome. I am having the best time of my life. It is growing better every step of the way, and I am thanking God for it.