UNDER FOR FIFTEEN YEARS

Louisville Convention -- H. C. Morrison -- The Little and the Big Man

Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. -- Luke 18:14.

     Years ago I took a manuscript for one of my large books to Louisville, Ky., where Rev. H. C. Morrison was in charge of a great holiness convention. Many preachers and singers of prominence were present. I sat in the audience for a day or two without being noticed. Because of my ministerial garb, or for some other reason, the brethren at last began to draw up to me and inquired my name.

     When I told them, they almost gasped and exclaimed, 'Oh, k: this Shelhamer of Atlanta, Ga.! I have heard of you before." And as they looked me up and down I was tempted to ask, "Which side did you hear?" for there are always two sides to a man's reputation, the true and the false.

     Finally, on Saturday, Brother Morrison came and said, "The map who was to preach this morning at 11:00 has failed us and a number of the brethren are anxious to hear you." I replied that I had not come to preach but had brought him a manuscript for a book. Moreover, it was then within thirty minutes of the time. But he insisted, and accordingly I complied. I confess that for the first fifteen minutes it was hard sledding, for there they sat behind pillars and posts, looking at me through the tail-end of their eyes, as much as to say, "Here is this fanatic that we have heard so much about-being arrested, taken to jail, and with a dozen and one things to his discredit."

     But God, in mercy, lifted me above everything and I felt that they, for the time being, looked like so many grasshoppers. When I had finished I called on Brother Morrison to lead in prayer, whereupon he jumped to his feet and said:

     "No sir, I cannot pray until I first make a confession. The brother has preached me under conviction. I feel at home as the president of a big college or in charge of a great camp meeting, but I confess it is hard for me to keep still and answer never a word' when I am contradicted or set at naught. I find I can pour vitrol upon the other fellow about as hot as he pours it upon me. I am going to the altar!" It requires a big soul to make a confession like this. A dozen or more preachers followed him and oh, such praying! As soon as they finished, Brother Morrison came to me and said, "You must hold a meeting for me in Asbury College."

     I replied, "I am not capable of preaching in a college."

     "Oh," he answered, "I want some of those deep truths burned upon our student body."

     Accordingly I went and we had a wonderful meeting. Then he took up his pen and endorsed through his paper him whom another big preacher had formerly denounced. The pathetic thing about it all was that about the time the little fellow came to the top, the big man who had him under for fifteen years took a tumble and never regained his prestige or power.

     It pays to let God fight your battles. Brother, when you are maligned and misrepresented, if you wish to fight your own battles God will step aside and give you the job, but it will be a losing fight. On the other hand, if you have grace to hold still and answer never a word, God may raise up some one bigger than yourself to vindicate you. But it may require years of waiting. Have you patience to wait?