Sunday, May 20, 2012

A Letter from C. C. Smith

I have come accross several hand-written letters from the preacher Charles Calvin Smith. I thought they would add to the historical record of the FOC. One thing I noticed about this letter is his allusion to predestination.

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November 22, 1910

My Dear Brother Johnie & Family,

Love to all
I suppose I owe you an apology for not writing sooner but you know how it is when one is trying to get settled on a new place. I moved down in the valley this Fall and have had to get ready for winter. It is starting to show today about half snow and half rain which makes it sloshy under foot. I just got back from preaching a sermon over at Canby. I had a very good crowd but it rained and made the roads so sloshy that they won’t come out so I came home. It seems like the people in general want anything else but the truth. A lie suits them fine when the preacher charges them for lying. I get discouraged but I suppose God will draw the ones that are ordained to Eternal Life.
Do you ever think any more of selling out and coming over or have the “Mexico Brethren” got you going South? I see by the paper that the Spaniards are making some trouble for the settlers. I don’t think I want any of it in mind. I had rather have a biscuit with quietness than both hands full with strife. Godliness with contentment is great gain.
I heard that Brother Oliver Eels was coming over here with his new bride. Well tell them we will all be glad to see them and we all wish them a long and happy life in this world and in the world to come. Life everlasting.
Brother Robert Conley did not seem very well satisfied until they was offered their money back for their place after they got the crop gathered since that I don’t hear any complaints. Some of the brethren in Oklahoma is talking of coming out here.
I am well pleased with the brethren that are here. They all seem to want to worship God in spirit and in truth. Well Brother John don’t wait as long as I did to write. I would love to hear from you. I love to read your letters.
Pray for me and mine with best wishes. I desire to remain your brother till death.
May God bless you all
C.C. Smith

2 comments:

  1. The second question mark you have, he was referring to the "Spaniards", which was probably referring to the Mexicans in Mexico at the time. When he refers to the "Mexico brethren", I am pretty sure he was referring to brethren in New Mexico which was not a state until 1912.

    There was a lot of turmoil in northern Mexico around 1910 as that is about the beginning date of the Mexican revolution. Some of this "turmoil" spilled over into New Mexico and that is probably what he was referring to about the paper and the Spaniards making trouble for the brethren.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for explaining that piece of history. Very helpful.

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