Most of the transcription is below, along with the original images.

Note Rev. Gus Hall seems to have mislabeled the pages.

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167 Glenmary St.

Jackson, Miss.

June 1, 1967

My dear Clairtonie:

I think of you so often, always wishing that it could be possible for us to see & have a sweet chat. You have come into my life that I feel by as long ago, we could have been great buddies had we known one another years ago. However, it seems we ran along together. It is too bad, now that we have met, we are so feeble & to get about. I don’t know when it is to happen, but somehow I just feel like that we will have a fine time when that time comes along together. Much that you have done all is wonderful. [ineligible] will be my guest. The Mitt and Pres. are to preside. I am glad we got rid of [ineligible] Ras. Channell and your letter stating that the Bible is more than it tells that it is God’s word and human. That it was written

by men who were directed by the H.S. [Holy Spirit] to write. I believe it is true because He says it is. Yes, I believe that Adam was a man, the first man, that God prepared a whale to swallow Jonah, that a virgin was born & yet a virgin Mary, I believe this because I believe the Bible is God’s word to man. It teaches the plan of salvation so plainly. There are not three gods, but three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and H.S. The earth has its work to do. The Father so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to obey the law perfectly in my place, and then he paid the penalty for my sins that Jesus cured my sins. That he is saying to the Father, charge Clairtonie and Geo’s sins to my account. That the Son loved me and was willing to be conceived by the power of the H.S. in the womb of the virgin Mary. That He is God from all eternity, became human that in that human nature He

obeyed the law in my stead and paid the penalty for my sins. That after He obeyed for me, He died upon the cross that Joseph of Arimathea laid that third day after and placed his body in Joseph’s new tomb, sealed it. And that on the third day he arose from the grave teaching us the certainty of means resurrection the body resurrection. That He ascended into heaven after showing himself after the resurrection for forty days. That He is now at the right hand of God interceding for me. What a wonderful Savior is our and [ineligible]. I think the Bible teaches the soul of the believer at death goes immediately into Paradise. That it will stay there until the resurrection day, when the soul and body will be reunited and glorified. He who had power to make man and give him a soul, has power to bring the soul and body together on the great day when the trumpet shall sound.

There is no forgetting. As a tree falls, so it lies until the day of [ineligible]. As a tree falls, so it lies until the day of judgment. That there are good works in the lives of Christians as fruits of the love of Christ in the believer. That we are created unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. That the believers are God’s chosen ones and have been saved to live a life of holiness and to show forth the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.

I have not been well of late, but am so much better. I am gaining strength but am not yet so strong. I have two wedding announcements to send out, one in Jackson, Miss. the other in New Orleans, La. I may send them out today or tomorrow. I will try to do it today.

In the meantime, let me know how things are with you. I want to hear from you. I always enjoy hearing from you.

recline, I go to bed with sleep, but to suffer. I have often wondered how I have done what I have on so little sleep. But often I have wondered how any man could endure. I have been a sufferer all my life, but for many years, have did the work as pastor and teacher duties. But when my children and the adopted ones were small, I was doing the job at home after the supper dishes were put away. We enjoyed the house. Then there was the school work, and sermons. Well, here I am at 89, still at it. I am here down at 89, still at it. I am preparing a sermon for Camden on 2nd Sunday. Subject facing the Future. 1 Cor. 13:13. A new text, about faith, hope, love, three eternal truths. This greatest of these is love. I shall try to show what faith, hope, love play in our future. Our time is troublesome. No, as much as I’d like, I am not troubled. I hope you enjoyed it.

It should be a delightful sermon. Yes, Jackson as many other places are facing our trials. From the papers too, it seems that Pascagoula is in a growing state. Read that the boys are getting a better general humor.

Now for my family, I hardly know what to say about John. He is not improving as fast as I’d like. The decline is causing a strain disturbing his blessed assurance of it is not that normal emotion. [ineligible] to heart attention. John Jr. got his diploma from Ole Miss last Sunday. I stayed with John and his nurses, his mother, sister and uncle Butler and aunt Clara went to the graduation. We enjoyed it much. He leaves for Fla. again in for 4 weeks ROTC Camp. Then in Sept, he has been removed from the Officer school, meaning [ineligible] his Master.

The school has not been arranged yet. I do hope that it would be big for them. Annie Louise will get a nice raise in salary next year. She is awfully busy in her teaching, looking after everything. But she will get out of school next month. She is a number one person. I cannot stop without saying something about my hobby, fruit. It’s simply turning up. I had a rain so bad I am eating hot snap and butter beans, cucumbers, squash, I will in six days before I will have tomatoes, butter beans and milk. I am afraid that this day weather is going to cut my fruit. I have six trees. I plan to have enough for canning for roasting ears until frost. You all have pity and stop. I hope that you can find time to read this. 

How’s everything with you?

Gus.

Joe Bullard is like the pastor you know, this member in the same sympathy but he [ineligible]. I know his father years ago when he was a lawyer at H’burg. But I know his work telling. He taught my writing head SS in Pascagoula.

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