John Day

It is marvelous what the Lord has done for me. I was brought up in the Gospel. I still remember the old church at Front and Burnside. I was very small then, but my mother used to take me to church, even though I didn’t particularly care to go. She read the Bible to me as well.

As I grew older, I thought I could get along all right without the Gospel. But there came a time when I found out I couldn’t. I knew where to come when my soul was distressed and my heart was heavy. I came down to the hall at Sixth and Burnside one Sunday night and I determined in my heart to get saved. I went to the altar that night and workers gathered around and prayed for me. God was there to answer my prayer. The Lord came down into my heart and saved me. A few months after that, He sanctified me.

I thank God that I have the memories of many meetings that I can carry with me. I think it is wonderful that God has been so merciful to me and so good. I thank Him for all that He has done for me.

I have needed the Gospel in these past three years, living in different parts of the country, in barracks and officers’ quarters. They drink and smoke everywhere. Some of them seem to think they can only have a good time if they are drunk.

I thank God I have something better in my soul. I can get down at night and pray and offer my heart to God and think of the Apostolic Faith Church, the people who are praying for us. I know there is a light still shining here. It means a lot to us boys who are far away. I can say the Gospel still holds. It is something that will hold a man steady and help him on his way.

A Letter written from Burma:

“Since you wrote last I have moved into Burma. I thought I couldn’t get any farther from home when I was in India; but I was wrong, because here I am. Perhaps I am getting closer on the other side.

“Civilization seems a long way off down here. Our airstrip is built on a once-famous battlefield, and as the bulldozers punch and level the ground, ammunition, grenades, mortar shells, and high explosive shells of many varieties and nationalities come to light. It was a grim and deadly struggle through this area. The Lord still has His hand over us.

“The jungle-covered mountains rising abruptly from the flat valley floor surely are a beautiful sight. We live in pyramidal tents, and sometimes I am reminded of the beautiful campground at home. Our chapel here is only the slope of a hill, but the Spirit of the Lord is near us even as we sit on the ground, straining to catch the words of the Chaplain above the roar of battle-bound planes. It is a far cry from the peace and beauty we know at the church on Sixth and Burnside, but we can make a “joyful noise unto the Lord”—even in far-off Burma.

“As I am the “Officer of the Day,” I must make another inspection of the guard, so will close with a prayer for the safety of the saints and progress of the Gospel.”