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Smith, Jewell Ellen, 1915-1998

"Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt"

Isolation, and fresh air,
and complete rest were all he could recommend. He told me of
having read an article in his medical journal that advocated
placing pine boughs about the room to diminish the frequency of
the consumptive cough. But he discounted that.
Within a week my sons and grandsons built me a small
screened-in room out in one corner of our side yard under the
shade of our largest white oak. Here I spent most of my time. I
grew weaker and weaker until finally I was forced to keep to the
bed.
Of course I was obliged to tender my resignation to each of
my churches. Oh, how this hurt me. I loved being pastor to these
dear, frank, open-hearted people. They are hard workers. Of
course, now and then, you will see a man who has let himself be
dragged down by drink. But this is the exception, not the rule.
The very last funeral I conducted was, unfortunately, for
such a man. His name was Lawson. I hadn't ever known him, but his
family lived near Millers Crossing, and they asked me to preach
the funeral.


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