I was born of Seventh-day Adventist parents in April, 1887, and attended in my childhood and youth the little church at Sumner, Michigan.
While attending our denominational schools I canvassed during the summers, and assisted with a tent effort in Adrian, Michigan, in 1908. My first paid job with the conference was as bell ringer for the 1908 East Michigan camp meeting held at Lapeer, for which I received my meals.
In 1910 I was given a ministerial license by the East Michigan Conference. E. K. Slade was president and E. I. Beebe was secretary-treasurer. Each had his office in his home. The Tract Society office was in the home of Frank Hiner at Holly, Michigan.
Mrs. Hicks and I were assigned to assist A. R. Sandborn in evangelistic work. Our salary was $5.00 a week, without subsidies of any kind. We lived in tents during the summer and in the homes of our church members in the area where we held meetings during the winter.
After the arrival of our first baby we had to have a home of our own to live in. We succeeded in finding one in the outskirts of the city of Flint, Michigan. The rent was $5.00 a month with, of course, no subsidies of any kind. But our salary was then raised to $7.00 a week, for which we were grateful.
I was ordained in 1914 by Elders W. T. Knox, L. H. Christian, and W. E. Guthrie. (All the above-named workers are now sleeping, awaiting the call of the Life-giver.)
As I think of the sacrifices of the early workers, the small resources, the small churches and institutions, and compare them with those of today, I can but say that surely God has greatly blessed and prospered His church. Today as workers in God's vineyard we know little of sacrifice and self-denial. We live in luxury compared with the circumstances of the early workers in this cause.
God has been and is good to His workmen, both old and young. The sustentation plan is a wonderful blessing to the sick and aged workers. It is a Heaven-born plan, and is greatly appreciated by its beneficiaries. Let all who enjoy its benefits be true to their trust and serve the Master faithfully all their allotted days.
Through the years God's commandment-keeping people have looked, prayed, worked, waited, and longed for the return of Jesus. We have that blessed hope today.
Through the years policies and customs in the church have changed, but the great fundamental truths of the church have not changed. The great doctrines of the Word as taught by the pioneers have stood the test of time because they are founded upon the solid Rock, Christ Jesus, and His Holy Word.
Individuals have arisen from time to time through the years with strange doctrines and fanciful interpretations of the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy writings. But their false theories have only made the true light shine out with greater beauty, and have brought only sorrow and regret to many who have followed these errors in doctrine.
We are living in the closing days of earth's history. Soon the hopes of the pioneers and the true church will be realized. Our redemption is drawing near. Jesus is soon coming. We must be ready to meet Him in peace, trusting fully in His saving grace.
As I sit on the side lines, doing all I can to help advance God's work, my soul is thrilled as I see the onward progress of God's last warning message to the world.
God is leading His church today as in the past. The final storm clouds are gathering. One can almost hear the rumblings of Armageddon. Soon, very soon, the east will blaze with the glory of our coming King. Soon the saints will come forth from their dusty beds to realize the complete fulfillment of God's covenant of peace with those who have kept His law and trusted in His righteousness.
With those of old we say, "Oh, hasten on, glad day!" "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"
We, Thy children, await with gladness and hope that glorious day.
