Southside Oracle Archive

Vol. 49, No. 17                          SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                           June 23, 2006

Where Moth and Rust Do Not Corrupt

I had been preaching there for about six months before I ever noticed her. It wasn't that the congregation was so large - or that I was totally unobservant. It was that Fanny, despite her size, could, like a chameleon, blend into whatever background she stood in front of. If she stood before a wall, she looked like a wall, if she stood in front of a tree, a person, or a drinking fountain, she took on the visible colors and properties of those objects. The reason I noticed her when I did was because she "attempted" to shake my hand one Sunday. I say attempted because we had trouble connecting. She was over a foot shorter than I, and every time I reached for the hand, which seemed to come from nowhere, she would move it, searching for mine. I believe she was the most introverted person I ever knew.

Because of that, I was surprised when she called me one day at the office. She was going into the hospital and wished I might come to see her. While visiting her, I also met her roommate, a rather large, striking woman about ten years older than Fanny, with the singular name of Hazel Whitecotton. A week or so later I learned that Fanny had agreed to be a sort-of day nurse for Hazel as she recuperated.

About six weeks later Fanny approached me after services. She wanted to talk about Hazel. She informed me that Hazel was terminally ill with cancer. Fanny, while she bathed and fed Hazel, had been talking with her about the Bible, the church, and Christianity. Hazel had many questions and Fanny wondered if I would come and visit with her.

Cancer is a frightening disease. The change in Hazel, over just six weeks, was appalling. The flesh had been stripped from her frame as neatly as if ants had been at working from the inside. She had gone from over one hundred seventy pounds to less than a hundred. She was a mere shadow who spoke only in whispers. After three or four visits, Hazel expressed a fervent desire to be immersed. This presented several problems, but ultimately I carried her to the car, as you would carry an injured child. I held her in my arms during the entire trip, and after Fanny had prepared her, I carried her into the baptistry and immersed both of us.

Dear Fanny, patient, loving, quiet, kind Fanny. How much treasure you must have laid up where moth and rust do not corrupt - where thieves do not steal. It's all there - dear Fanny - you never got any of it here, you never wanted it. How you shame us - those who must be recognized, rewarded, praised, whose names must be posted in conspicuous places. What a marvelous example of what it means to be salt - and light, you are. How many Hazels have come to Jesus by your quiet ministry of love?

Oh, yes. I taught Hazel, I answered her questions and there were many who praised me for her conversion. It was never me, it was always Fanny, quiet, gentle Fanny. I am gratified that He does not see as men see, but that He looks upon the heart. When the important time comes, Fanny will stand ahead of me, but we will rejoice together in that place where moth and rust do not corrupt.    John Smith

The Bulletin Board

New Arrival - Congratulations to Eddie and Rhonda deBie on the birth of Devon on Monday at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Both mother and baby are doing well.

The Sick - John Dickson's mother had successful surgery Monday. John went to Texas to be with her.

There was a graveside service at the Woodlawn Cemetery Thursday for the twin boys of Don and Wanda Capitonoff who died at birth. Bobby Valentine spoke.

Serving - Many of our members are serving on the staff of the junior session at the Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp. Also serving are Daryl Miller who is teaching a daily class this week at Soul Quest at York College and Laurie and Jered Giombi who beginning this Thursday are working with a youth program at the Menominee, MI congregation.

Camp Notes - In listing our junior campers at W.C.Y.C. last week overlooked Rachael Valentine. The intermediate session begins July 16.

ATTENDANCE RECORD

(*) first service, 131; second service, 84

Did you know that Southside offers free home Bible correspondence courses to anyone who wishes to take them? If you would like to receive a 30 lesson survey course, see Otto Mageland or contact the church office.

Calendar of Events

June 18 - July 1- Junior session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

June 18 - 24 - Soul Quest, York College

July 2 - 15 -Middle session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 9 -Elders/deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

July 9 - Praise and Palate, 6:00 p.m.

July 12 - 19 - Mission trip to Dominican Republic

July 16 - 29 - Intermediate session, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 30 - August 12 - Senior session, Wis. Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

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