Two Hours With A Veteran
He is an old man — a very old man. The snows of more than ninety years have whitened his thinning hair, and the moving finger of time has written deep lines into his face. But, somehow, the tall figure has yielded but little to the burden of years, and the shoulders are erect and the head held high. The hawk-like nose is sensitive and strong, and the wise old eyes peering out from under those shaggy brows are alert and piercing. His daughter wants him to get a hearing aid, but he doesn't want to fool with the thing — (he told us if he got a hearing aid he might have to stop and listen to what others were saying, but as it is he can just go on talking without being aware of any interruptions!)
W. W. Otey of Winfield, Kansas, is one of the "youngest" old men you will ever meet. In company with Judson Woodbridge of Mulvane and Cecil Willis of Kansas City, Missouri, the editor spent two hours in the Otey home early last month. It was an experience exhilirating and not soon forgotten! Scarcely were we seated in the combination living-room — bedroom of the small cottage in which he lives alone until Brother Otey brought out an old envelope on the back of which he had noted some things he wanted to talk about. (We had notified him in advance of our visit, and he was expecting us.)
"Now tell me about the situation in California," was the way he started the conversation. "What percentage of churches in that area are loyal to the truth? How many faithful preachers are there in the state? Where are they building new congregations? Are the brethren alert and aggressive, or do they seem discouraged and apathetic?"
Having but recently spent nearly three months in meetings in California we were in a position to give a first-hand impression of the work in that state.
"Now Tell Me About Tennessee."
We told him of contacts with Tennessee brethren, of the stirring restless uneasiness of many thousands in the state who vaguely feel that the Gospel Advocate is taking them into liberalism and away from the "old paths", but who are largely inarticulate, feeling helpless to do much to stem the tide.
What about Kentucky? Florida and Alabama? Texas? Oklahoma? Canada? How many faithful men in the foreign fields are being supported by the loyal churches? What about Connie Adams in Norway? Ben Guillermo in Hawaii? Wendell Broom in Nigeria? And how soon will Leslie Diestelkamp join the forces in Africa? How about the fine young brethren working among the Mexicans in south Texas ? Have they got much of a foot-hold in Mexico as yet? How is Bob Nichols getting along in Japan?
One by one he marked off the items on the back of that envelope as we talked. This was not an old man! His body would soon return to the dust — but his heart was young, and alive, and vibrant with interest and enthusiasm. This was a spirit that would never die! And with what a holy delight those old eyes shone and laughter of sheer joy touched that furrowed face as we told of the progress of the cause of Christ in the many places he asked about.
"What a contrast!" he kept exclaiming. "What a difference between now and sixty years ago! When that first digression came the few battered, bruised brethren who were left to serve the Lord faithfully were beaten, discouraged, and absolutely defeated. They holed themselves up in dingy little rooms on the back alleys, and simply 'kept house" for the Lord, seeing their members die off one by one, making little or no effort to win new souls to Christ. But now what a difference! From all over the nation I keep getting letters from faithful men — hundreds of them young men, faithful and true — telling me of new congregations being started, aggressive, forward-looking plans, gigantic efforts being made to save honest-minded brethren from the digression, and untiring work in spreading the kingdom into new areas. I'm glad God let me live to see this day!"
"There is no substitute for zeal," said Brother Otey. "This is the great difference between the church now, as it faces this modern digression, and the church of the past. When the Christian Church left us, there was apathy, defeatism, and utter gloom. But now I find wonderful zeal, enthusiasm, and a keen acceptance of the challenge of error. What a glorious feeling it is to see the forces of righteousness taking the initiative! The liberal churches will not turn back, of course; but they are going to find themselves in a losing fight. They will have to move more and more to the left, further and further into extremes of entertainment, social gospel activities, and all the worldly, carnal appeals to gain new members. Whereas, those faithful congregations who stand firm for the truth will find the truly spiritual minded will leave the liberal congregations and worship with those who are determined to follow the Lord 'as it is written'. Many fine people were swept away in the previous digression simply because the conservatives had so little to offer by way of true Christianity in contrast. But this time such will not be the case!! For this time it is the conservative group who are really following the apostolic example of zeal, work, and utter dedication! Men and women are sincerely desirous of serving God and going to heaven when they die will cast their lots with such congregations. The worldly minded, the carnal, those who are interested in show and pomp and making an impression on their neighbors will go with the institutional churches. The line of separation will grow wider and wider — and the wider it grows, and the quicker, the better chance there will be of opening the eyes of those who are spiritually minded."
All too soon our visit ended. As we waved good-bye to the old soldier of the cross I think all three of us went back to our jobs wonderfully strengthened and encouraged for the task ahead. Those two hours were like a tonic. Here was the voice of great age, and the matured and seasoned wisdom that can come only from experience.
We might add a footnote to this: The doctor says that Brother Otey's recent fall was caused by a blood-clot that did no permanent damage, and apparently he is about as he would have been if the clot had not occurred. We found him in high good spirits, his speech unimpaired — and simply bubbling over with joy and satisfaction at the firm stand being taken for the truth by so many thousands of Christians throughout the nation. Brother Otey prays that he may be useful as long as he lives, and may be spared any lingering illness when the time comes to be translated. He hopes that this minor injury last fall may be a fore-shadowing that death will come swiftly and with no delay when it does strike. May God grant this noble soldier his desire!
— F. Y. T.