| Volume Two | June 29, 2009 | Page 34 |
A. F. Simmons was born May 6.1872, in Coos County. Oregon, the oldest son of C. C. and Margaret J. Simmons. He was born again and baptized into the fellowship of Mayville Baptist Church in November, 1889, and by regular time calendar at the time of this writing, 1949, is 77 years of age. but by Christian calendar 60 years will have been measured out next November.
A. F. Simmons was licensed to "exercise his gifts" as the Lord might lead by the Mayville Baptist Church in regular session, February 8, 1902, Elder John Tonkins being the pastor.
I was not present at this meeting of the church nor had I made a personal application for such action on the part of the church. I shall have to lay blame on those who were there and who encouraged me much in my early ministry, for my blunders and mistakes were many. They were: Elder John Tonkins, the pastor, Deacons Edd Morgan and Wm. Nortridge, Brethren J. D. (Uncle Daff) Livingston, Robert E. Graham and their families and others who may have been present.
This church action brought about considerable conflict in the mind of this unworthy man. He wondered if his older brethren weren't probably mistaken in this particular action. The time of proving and decision had come. A decision had to be made. With only a common school education and no special training and with no facilities for such within his financial reach and with no library except God's Word and Cruden's Concordance but with full assurance that if the church had recognized God's Call to him, he decided that he must at least try for God. He immediately, by invitation of Brethren Morgan and Nortridge, made an appointment to preach at their neighborhood school house at Buckhorn, several miles from Mayville.
As I recall I was greeted by a full house, among them a friend, Dallas Walton, who professed to be an infidel. He had previously said to me, "If you ever preach I will come to hear you." I had, by the way, been employed by him on his farm and had worked with and lived with him for several weeks putting in his crop. The neighbors and friends, including Dallas Walton and Pastor Tonkins, also as I remember, Elder J. M. Lawson, a former pastor, were all present on this memorable occasion. Many came out of curiosity, no doubt, but I'm quite sure several were there to pray for this unworthy man. I'm sure another was there at least in the Spirit, the Lord Jesus, who sustained me in that time of need, for He said, "Lo, I am with you alway." Matthew 28:20.
My Infidel friend gave me this word of encouragement. "Well, Frank, you did better than I expected you could." My text was John 7:46, "The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." These words were the report of some who were sent to determine who were right in a controversy as to whether Jesus was "that prophet" or an impostor.
Being thus encouraged I made another appointment for a month later. My personal conflict was still going on within me. I was willing to follow the Lord's leading if I knew positively what it was, but I didn't want to preach and was determined not to preach or even try to preach if I were convinced that my brethren and the church were mistaken in the matter of my call from the Lord. My prayer was, "Lord, give me the following assurance, let me have a congregation and then give me a message for them."
Harvest time came in 1903. My only place of study at this time was in a header box working from sunrise till dark every week day. Then I had to ride 20 miles to my appointment. The usual crowd was present. I read a scripture, stated my text and talked I suppose for fifteen to twenty minutes. I have no idea what I said, nor did I make any note of the texts used. According to my own consciousness I said nothing, but I labored hard.
At the close of this service I was greatly discouraged and thoroughly convinced that God had answered me, "No." I didn't meet the people at the door as I usually did. I put my Bible and song book in a little satchel made for that purpose, and I made no further appointments. To tell the truth I was greatly relieved. I felt God had answered me definitely. I hadn't anything to say. I was preparing to ride home, thoroughly convinced my call was not of God.
As I was making these preparations and with the congregation still present Herb Stephens, an unsaved friend, came to the front of the house where I was and said, "Frank, aren't you going to preach for us anymore?"
My answer was, "No. The Lord didn't give me anything to say. I'm going back to farming."
He said, "I never heard a better sermon."
I looked at him in utter astonishment, but before I could answer him Brother Morgan, who was standing close by, asked the same question, "Aren't you making another appointment?"
I gave him the same answer I had given Herb about the Lord not giving me any message. In reply he said practically what Herb had said, "I never heard a better sermon."
After my wonderment had subsided somewhat I said in effect, "If you folks can stand such as this and call it good, I'll be here at the next regular appointment hour."
From this time on I placed myself, just as I was, at the Lord's feet, took up God's Holy Word, the Bible, and my Cruden's Concordance, and with prayer and earnest and thoughtful preparation I have continued preaching to this day, never doubting again that God's hand guided my good brethren in their setting me apart to His work. I've made many failures since then, but I have never doubted the Lord, and I have never laid my failures to the Lord. He has wonderfully blessed me in the years of service, and it is with deep regret that I now come to the end of the way. After 44 years of the most blessed experiences and service for my Lord and Savior, on the account of age and the poor health and sickness of my dear companion, partner and wife I do with deep regret come to the close of my ministry. However I feel that the same God, the Spirit who called me into the ministry, has likewise shown me that my active ministry is ended. Bless His holy name.
It seems proper just here to mention some men and women who have more or less influenced my ministerial life and helped me to know and to follow the Spirit's leading. Standing at the head of the list are my parents. They were saved when I was about fifteen years of age. For some reason we children, six in number, were not present at the service when they took their stand for the Lord. A revival was being held a mile and a half from our home. Elder C. P. Bailey was the evangelist. A few days later they were baptized in Thirty Mile Creek, about half way between Mayville and Condon.
They returned home that night. Dad took down the old family Bible, which by the way I now have and cherish because of those past memories. Dad said, "Children, (I being the oldest) mother and I have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and have been baptized today. We're turning over a new leaf. From this day on we're having family prayer. Will you children kneel with us while we pray?"
As words go that wasn't really a prayer. With all of us kneeling it was something like this: Our heavenly Father,"--- a long pause. Not many more words came, but they were followed by his embarrassed, "Amen."
To me, a boy of fifteen that I was, that was the greatest prayer I had ever heard. It continues so to this present day. It was the heart groaning of a man who had often said pridefully, "I am as good a Christian as Mr. So and So. If I ever become a Christian, I'll be a good one." He had often said this in the presence of his children. Now, perhaps, all this came to his mind as he offered that prayer. It was a crucial test, but thanks to God he continued to have family prayer no matter who were in the home or what the circumstance as long as we lived. A very Godly man was my dad of blessed memory.
When my brother, Ves (Elder A. S. Simmons), and I were saved, after a few days dad spoke again, "Boys, I want you to get ready to take your turn at the family altar." This we did. What a blessed background! What a wise Christian father! Is it at all surprising that both of these sons answered God's call to preach the gospel? Is it too much to think perhaps that the prayers of this righteous father might not have had much to do with the setting apart of this man to be a preacher of the Word?
My mother told me once, after I became a preacher, that when she was a small girl her grandfather, who was a Christian man, called her to him and laid his hands upon her head and prayed that she might become the mother of a preacher of the gospel. It was like the experience of Charles Spurgeon, who, when his mother told him that she had prayed that he might be a preacher but not that he should be a Baptist preacher, replied, "You know, mother, that God always gives you better than what you ask, so He made me a Baptist preacher." This mother of mine had not one but two Baptist preacher sons of whom I am sure she was quite proud.
Mother and dad and one of their preacher boys are now with the Lord in heaven, and the sand in the hourglass is fast running out for the other son. We'll soon, please God, all be together with the Lord according to His promise of grace.
Brother Billy Thornton, who was known as Uncle Billy, was the first Sunday school superintendent I had, and he unconsciously influenced me very much in my early religious thinking. He afterward became a Baptist preacher. He died without knowing that his life had touched the life of one of his Sunday school pupils.
Elder C. P. Bailey, J. T. Moore, and J. M. Lawson were ministers who had much to do with my early Christian life. I admired and loved them very much. I often sat in the study of Brother Bailey and Brother Lawson while they were preparing their sermons while they, without appearing to, were instructing me in my as yet unrecognized work in the gospel. They sometimes asked counsel of me regarding sermons they were preparing to preach. This was several years before I listened to God's definite call to preach. Why should these godly men of God counsel with an unlearned boy? There is just one answer. They were instructing one whom they hoped would one day preach. All three of these men lived to hear this unworthy student of theirs try to preach. I cherished their counsel as long as they lived, and I have joyful and pleasant remembrances of them.
After I began to preach Brother Lawson said to me, "Frank, always be careful to make your scripture quotations in God's exact words." These were words of wisdom that have profited me much.
I owe much credit to the Mayville Baptist Church and Pastor Tonkins and especially to Elder and Lottie Morgan, who were distant kinsmen, to Brother and Sister William Nortridge, Brother and Sister (Uncle Daff and Aunt Alice) Livingston and to Brother and Sister Robert E. Graham. They not only pushed me out as it were, but they prayed for me and came faithfully to pray for me and help me preach in those early efforts. They encouraged me more than they knew. Their memory still remains bright in this old preacher's mind. Blessings be upon those precious memories.
In the autumn of 1904 Elder F. C. Flowers, another very helpful preacher friend, resigned the care of the Baptist church of Condon, Oregon. In December of the same year the Condon church extended a call to this young licensed preacher to serve them as supply pastor.
At the time there were some twenty-five members in the Condon church, but there were only two male members beside myself. There were, however, a very fine group of godly women that made up the rest of the membership. The Sunday school had at this time an average of twenty-five to thirty, perhaps.
I don't remember who the first pastor of this church was, but before this they had erected a church building, the same they still occupy, I believe. They had no home for a preacher, but immediately upon my taking up this work we began to lay plans for building a parsonage. The husbands of these good women seconded their efforts quite liberally, and during the months of my stay with them they completed a building for their next pastor, Elder J. W. Mount, who moved on the field while I was still in the neighborhood.
I was to serve the Condon church in the pulpit three Sundays each month. Previously they had provided Brother Flowers with a sleeping room in the home of one of the members, and he was boarded round among the members. He often took trips of several days into the country, coming as far as my home in Mayville, where I lived with my mother. He was a source of great encouragement to me. Often when I hesitated he encouraged me to go forward. When I succeeded him as pastor I also inherited his living arrangement.
During this time I was much in the home of Mr and Mrs. Mont Ward. She was a devoted Christian and one of the leading workers in the church. Mr. Ward was at that time unsaved. He however approved of the efforts of his wife and made possible the building program of the little church.
The Lord wonderfully blessed in the work there and soon we had not only a good Sunday school but also a flourishing Baptist Young People's Society. For some reason the Congregational Church had then discontinued their evening services, therefore many of their young people were coming to our services in the evenings. They immediately resumed their services after this.
The friendship with Mr. ward, begun during this brief ministry, was renewed forty years later, at which time he assured me that he had been saved. He recalled the poor but earnest efforts of this struggling preacher and asked me to preach his funeral. He became an almost helpless cripple before he died. He passed away in 1948, and I was able to fulfill my obligation to him at The Dalles, Oregon, where he died in the triumph of the Christian faith.
In June, 1905, the church at Condon called for council of sister churches to assist in the ordination of their young pastor. This was responded to by the following brethren: Elder C. P. Bailey of The Dalles, Elder I. D. Brown of Ione, and Deacon Edd Morgan of the Mayville Baptist Church and the entire church of Condon.
Elder C. P. Bailey was chosen moderator and chief examiner. Elder I. D. Brown was clerk of the council. This was one of the most serious experiences of my life, but the Lord helped me. As I look back to this event I see this as really the beginning of my going to school to the Lord. There seemed to be born in me a new spirit, a craving to know and do the will of God. I have been going to God's school ever since. Truly this was a great day in this man's life. Without claiming any miraculous manifestation, the very Spirit of God seemed to come upon me in this ordination service. Henceforth I was compelled to go forward.
During this pastorate I made many encouraging contacts, and I discovered that the man of God has to be careful in the selection of his fellowship. I had in my congregation two retired Methodist Episcopal preachers, one Brethren preacher and a young Salvation Army ensign. In all frankness I have to say that these brethren gave me much encouragement. I invited the Brethren preacher to preach for me once and he proceeded to preach on Open Communion, using Noah's family in the ark to illustrate that all Christians are in the family of God and should take the Lord's Supper together. That was a joke on me, for I didn't believe what he preached. However he was a good friend of the congregation and made no attempt to confuse the church in the matter. However I didn't ask him nor my Methodist preacher friend to occupy my pulpit again.
Brother George R. Eads was the young Salvation Army man. Being both young we had much in common. We were both zealous for the Lord's cause and held street meetings together, for which kind of service he was well fitted. I found out quickly that it takes more than zeal to be a successful street preacher. One must have a clear ringing voice as well, something I didn't have, and I discovered it soon and became excused.
Since we were congenial spirits Brother Eads and I were much together. He spent many of his evenings after working hours with me in my room, when I would be in town. We started up a little Bible school together. He had been to my ordination service and had become much interested in Baptist doctrines. Upon such fundamentals as the inspiration of the Scriptures, the trinity of the Godhead, the fall of man, the virgin birth of Christ, salvation by grace through faith and cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ, justification by faith and such kindred doctrines we were agreed upon from the start. We also agreed that God's inspired Word was an all-sufficient rule of faith and practice.
With this agreed foundation to work from we began the study of the church as Christ organized and set it up. He was under the impression that all saved people were in the act of salvation set into the church by the Lord, which by the way is a common error of Christendom in general. After asking divine guidance we took up God's Word together to set us right.
Very soon we found Luke 6:12, 13, where Jesus after a night of prayer called His disciples unto Him, "and of them chose twelve, whom he named apostles." This text coupled with Paul's words to the Corinthians, (I Corinthians 12:28) "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,..." These and kindred Scriptures were conclusive. Next we studied the subject of Scriptural Baptism. Quickly we decided that only believers should be baptized, and almost as quickly we concluded that immersion of a believer in water by a Scripturally qualified administrator only was Scriptural baptism.
We studied together under the Holy Spirit's guidance that very troublesome doctrine called by Baptists, "The preservation of the saints." or "Once in grace always in grace," which doctrine is especially obnoxious to a good portion of Christendom the world over. John 10:28, "And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
The Holy Spirit surely led us in these studies and George became convinced of these great Baptist doctrines and embraced them. We together set a time to try and remove the last stumbling block, to wit, "Close Communion." We never got to the study of this lesson because George's father moved from Condon to La Monta near Prineville. In a short time, however, I received a letter from him saying that he had united with a Baptist church and had been baptized, and as he came up from the waters of baptism he was handed a license to preach the true gospel. He had in the mean time come under the ministry of my good friend, Elder I. D. Brown, who helped him further in his search for the true church. He preached for the Baptists a good many years in Texas and also upon the coast. He renewed correspondence with me some four years ago while I was ministering to the Madras Baptist Church. He passed to be with the Lord some two or three years ago. I wonder if we may not be permitted to renew our studies together when we meet again in the Lord's house.
Shortly after my ordination, hoping to be able to attend college at McMinnville, Oregon, in order to better equip myself for the Lord's service, I resigned the pastorate of the Condon church after seeing my successor, Elder J. W. Mount of Jackson, Tennessee, come onto the field. The little church had made an excellent record in the town and was in good condition. I was, however, disappointed in my school plans, being unable to raise sufficient funds for that need.
About this time Brother William Nortridge submitted to the Lord's call to preach, and he and I made a little missionary journey together, with the Mitchell church as our starting point. We held just one meeting, at Fox Valley, Oregon. Several were saved, and I did my first baptizing for that little country church.
Having received and accepted a call to the First Baptist Church of Lakeview, Oregon, I came upon this great field in April, 1906. I there met and was married to Miss Nondas Howard, July 1st, 1906. She has been a faithful and worthy helpmeet and companion during all the years since, sharing the trials and joys and blessings of the Lord's dear service.
After a fruitful nine months of ministry with this good church we resigned January 1st, 1907, to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Surprise Valley at Lake City, California. This pastorate continued for five happy, successful years. It was a very fruitful ministry. Many were saved, and ties were formed which have continued through the years until this day. During this time a daughter, Maude (Mrs. C. H. Gillmore), was born August 8, 1909, In Lakeview, Oregon.
From here in January, 1912, we returned to Lakeview Baptist Church for one year and ten months before leaving there at the call of the First Baptist Church of Klamath Falls, Oregon. After a ministry at Klamath falls for one year and ten months circumstances developed that terminated this ministry temporarily. The church, however, did not accept my resignation. They simply released us from their service for a time.
In the mean time having received a call to serve the First Baptist Church of Goose Lake Valley, New Pine Creek, Oregon, we moved to that field June 15th, 1915. This was a very congenial, happy and successful pastorate that continued through the period of the First World War and for three years following. The Lord blessed wonderfully during this service, and many souls were enlisted for the Lord. Here at Lake City many close ties were formed, which continue till this day with those still living. We continued this work till June, 1921, through six very fruitful years of service. We still cherish the memories of this period of our lives. Our youngest daughter, Betty (Mrs. D. W. Grunstead), was born here in 1915.
In June, 1921, we returned to Klamath Falls at the call of First Baptist Church. Our term of release had expired, they said. Thus began a most happy and satisfactory work in this great church in a rapidly growing little city. This pastorate continued for eight and one-half years, making a total of a little over ten years out of the prime of this preacher's life given to this church. The Lord mightily blessed both pastor and church during this union together.
However the Lord, whose leading we have always striven to follow, moved us from this field to accept a call from the Baptist Church of Ducor, California, deep in the San Juaquin Valley in Tulare County. We arrived on this field in December, 1929. We lived labored and worshiped among this people for nine and one-half years.
This was a great country church, and our stay with this good people was a most satisfactory and delightful one in every way. We terminated our work there on May 15th, 1939. Again ties had been formed that can be only severed by death. Many of God's true saints were in this noble church. May the Lord richly bless their efforts for Him in the years to come.
Moving from here in answer to the call of the Missionary Baptist Church of Madras, Oregon, we arrived on that field May 26th, 1939. Although the subject of this sketch was beginning to feel the weight of years upon him, here began one of the most blessed experiences of his entire life. It was most certainly a work of faith on the part of those who constituted the church at the time. From outward appearance it was a discouraging prospect indeed, but God's promise was, "I will be with you alway."
The church members were few in number. They had no church building, and we were in the midst of a great financial depression, but God had some faithful ones who heeded His promises to carry on. We worshipped for several years in a borrowed house courtesy of the Christian Church people. We soon began the construction of a preacher's home, and in the spring of 1940 the pastor and his good wife and life partner were occupying it. A year or two later we were able to buy the Mud Springs School house in which the church was originally organized and where they worshipped for a number of years before moving the organization to Madras. The Lord certainly opened His money treasury to us in this building program, and we were able to move the school building, construct a full cement basement, baptistry, and to enlarge the auditorium till we had an adequate and serviceable building free of debt.
Ten years more have passed into the annals of time. They have laid their hand upon this pastor. Over forty-four (forty-six to be exact) years have passed in continuous pastoral work this coming May, and they have been charged against him. The health of his faithful companion has failed in these last years. This and his advancing age and the needs of a great church and field have brought him to the time of retirement. The work in Madras is in a prosperous condition, one of the best if not the best in this fast growing community. The church needs a younger, more vigorous, forward looking pastor to meet the needs of this church and field, a man of humility, faith and devotion. May the good Lord supply them their need is my prayer in Jesus' name.
It is with great regret that we lay down the good old sword of the Spirit, but we feel it is for the best interests of God's cause here. Where there were twelve to fifteen faithful ones ten years ago now there are two score or more, a most promising and prosperous work, and God is constantly showing His face in blessed spiritual service. May God's blessings be upon this good church, our association and all who read this record. Pray for us. (Written, 1949)
I append this note, which completes the story to April, 1952. By the generous gifts of the Madras church and other friends we were able to construct a little house on our son-in-law's property, a very comfortable little home. Mrs. Simmon's health continued to fail till on September 16, 1951, she went to be with our Lord, whom she had loved and served so faithfully and well. I will be 80 years of age in a few days, am still in very good health, just waiting for the Lord's call for me. The Lord has certainly been very gracious to me, giving me long life, good health, and a blessed service. May the blessings of the Lord be upon those who read these lines, and may they encourage someone to a life of consecrated service to their Lord and Savior. Goodby and God bless you all.
A. F. Simmons
April 19, 1952.
WILL YOU TAKE A POSITIVE STAND FOR LANDMARK DOCTRINES, HISTORIC BAPTIST INDEPENDENCE AND DIRECT MISSION PRACTICE? THEN SIGN UP FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS PAPER AND SPREAD THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.
If you enjoy reading these articles please let us know. If you subscribe we will E-Mail you once a month with news about new postings to this site and you may un-subscribe as easily as you may subscribe. The cost of subscription is FREE and you will never be asked for any money. Our Heavenly Father provides for all our needs and you will never find a child of the King standing on the street corner panhandling.