Sometime last month you had a birthday;
The exact date, I’m sorry, I forgot.
You turned eighty-five, 85, I say.
Eighty-five years Brother, is a lot.
Four score and five is almost enough
To be antique. (Don’t be offended,
Antiques, you know, I love in the rough,
So stick with me till I’m ended.)
You’ve lived to see the horse-less carriage,
Turn from touring car to streamline.
And conversely the steam, steel-horse rage,
Once strong, you’ve seen fully decline.
The airplane you saw at its outset,[1]
Not dreaming that soon, oh so soon,
The bi-plane would give way to the jet,
And you’d live to see men on the moon.
As I’d mention a “great,” you’d known him:
Rees,[2] Fleming,[3] Culp,[4] Uncle Bud,[5] and Ruth,[6]
Anderson,[7] Stalker,[8] and Wireman.[9]
You’ve been privileged to hear preach the truth.
You have lived and known such a spectrum,
Of the past, and ones who have gone on.
You’re the one for me, who connects them,
A living, Godly historian.[10]
So I’m glad to have had you Brother,
As pastor, advisor, and friend.
With wishes for many another,
These (late) birthday greetings I send. – eab, 2/75
[1] He saw one of the Wright Brothers fly.
[2] J D Webb Sr. was ordained by Seth C Rees, ate with Uncle Buddy, told about Stalker’s previous affliction, and had Wireman as evangelist when Webb pastored the Pilgrim Holiness church in Bremen, Ohio.
[3] John and Bona Fleming were brothers.
[4] George B Culp
[5] At Webb’s sister’s house he ate breakfast with Uncle Buddy (Rueben Robinson)
[6] C W (Christian Wismer) Ruth
[7] T M (Tony) Anderson
[8] Charlie Stalker
[9] I had privilege of hearing “Bulldog” Charlie Wireman.
[10] His first car was a 1914 Cadillac which he owned in 1916.
Separate-Holy 