December 2, 1954

This Article Appeared In The Times

But Was Not Actually Titled Cal’s Column

Transcribed by Janette West Grimes

A Letter

We are in receipt of a letter from Willie Parker, of Portland, Tenn., as follows:

In reading the Times account of the death of Mr. Bennie Gregory, we notice that it was said of him that he was a good man. Indeed I believe Mr. Bennie Gregory was a good man. I had known him for several years, and it would be hard to make me believe anything except that he was a good man. Although, like Lazarus, he might have been poor, yet he had what I call the "Old-Time Religion." I have seen and heard the man pray sa many, many good, soul-stirring prayers that it would be hard for anyone to forget.

Out at "Bon Air," on some called it, Sulphur Fork, I've seen him pray so long down on his knees that his shirt would sweat and stick to his back as if it had been soaked in water. I do not know whether you were ever around him very much or not, but I do know that much about him.

He was one in these parts who would lay down and sacrifice almost anything he had to go to church. When Mr. Bennie felt like it at all, he would surely go to church. There he would offer some soul-stirring prayers. He was called by some "Praying Bennie," because he was such a praying man.

I've seen him get up and go out of the church house at Sulphur Fork to look for his son, Raymond. He said, "In the house is the place for boys in time of service." And right he was. Now I understand that the son is now carrying the Gospel to those who sit in darkness, although I have never heard the boy.

When the older Mr. Gregory stopped here one day for a drink of water, his conversation made me think of the scripture which says: "Bring a child up in the way he should go; and, when he is old, he will not depart from it." Truly Gregory tried to bring his boys up in the right way. He will be greatly missed at his church, which he used to attend in a wagon. He was as prompt to attend as almost any other member of the congregation.

I wish to commend him highly for his real worth as a Christian gentleman, as a good citizen and as a father and husband.

Willie Parker