February 1954

Dear Brother: If the unsung heroines of the typewriter and the mailing machine hold out, it is possible that you will receive these random notes shortly before Ash Wednesday. By the way, if you have any of these secretaries, typists, mimeograph girls, or other functionaries assisting you in the work of your congregation, have you ever stopped to say a word of gratitude to these noble slaves of the machine age? A few weeks ago a brother told me he takes time out from his other duties twice a year to write a personal note of gratitude to the people in his congregation who work but who have never stood in front and held major offices—the quiet secretaries, the sexton with the creaky shoes, the chairman of the house committee of the bodies Aid — the silent ones — the ones who do the work of Martha with the devotion of Mary. I am sure that a little note to them from their pastor once or twice a year will do much to encourage them in their work for the Kingdom..

January 1970

Dear Brother: The clock in the hall struck five and the first light of another day spread over the parsonage lawn. My friend and I had been sitting in his study talking since midnight. For once the term dialogue would have been appropriate — but we had not yet learned to use the word for a discussion with a brother

May 1964

Dear Brother; It was Invocavit Sunday and no one had asked me to preach. Theophilus\u27 pulpit is normally wide open, but he had decided to take over himself. (By the way, Theophilus\u27 philosophy of visiting preachers is interesting. He insists that if the chance Circuit Rider (meaning us) is better than he is, his congregation will get a treat; if he is not — as so often happens — Theophilus feels that his congregation will be very glad to see him back in his pulpit on the following Sunday.