Tom Simpson

My folks received an Apostolic Faith paper from Portland, Oregon, while we were living on a farm in Arkansas. When they read the testimonies in that paper, they felt compelled to move east where there was a small Apostolic Faith Church. As a result, they were converted and I was brought into the Gospel as a little fellow of about nine.

Later, in 1926, we rolled onto the Apostolic Faith campground in a Model-T Ford and decided to make Portland our home. I was taken to Sunday school and children’s meetings, and was taught the right way to go.

I was brought up carefully and had no excuse, but I did not give my heart to the Lord right away. I wanted to go out into the world and have a good time. I thought religion would keep me tied down and there would be no fun in this life. I tried the world and was in and out of church for a number of years, much to my own sorrow.

I did not go very far into sin, but the Lord condemned and convicted me. I was a young man when He called me back and I got up the courage to go to the altar. When I meant business with the Lord and asked Him to have mercy on me, He came into my heart and rolled away that burden of sin. He gave me such joy, peace, and happiness that I did not miss anything of the world. I was happy to participate in the young people’s services, and I was thankful for the friends I had in the Gospel.

Shortly after my conversion, I was placed in the orchestra. It was quite a thrill. I had been taking violin lessons since the age of eight. Being in the orchestra inspired me to place a more concentrated effort on the study of the violin. I love music, and serving God and giving my talent to Him has been my desire and privilege.

When God saved me, He made a definite change in my heart. He kept me in the business world. One night when I was getting ready to leave work, the chief inspector asked me if I wanted to go to a dance at the Congress Hotel. It was a dance for all of the Navy inspectors. I told him I had no desire to go. He said, “You don’t have to dance, you can still come and you can drink out of my bottle.” I told him I did not want to have anything to do with it.

I have proved this old-time religion for many years and under many circumstances. One time my daughter had a fever. We called the ministers to pray, but before they could even pray, the Lord healed her.

I love the Lord, and I love His people. I would not exchange the old-time religion for the whole round world. It keeps me every day with victory.