Friends Pound "Uncle Dock" on His Birthday, Oct. 28, 1924

Friends Pound “Uncle Dock” on His Birthday

On Saturday, October 18, the members of St. Mary’s Grove Free Will Baptist Church met at the church at about 3 o’clock for the purpose of giving their pastor, Rev. D.C. Johnson, a pounding The pastor was invited to come out to the church and weas not told what the purpose of the meeting was, only that he was expected to preach. After the sermon he was told to rest for a few moments during which time the members would have charge of the services. Then Mr. R.A. Coates announced that the main purpose of the meeting was to make the preacher feel good on his birthday, stating that he understood he was three score and 10 years old that day. He had heard him say that he had never received a present on his birthday, and he really thought he was old enough to appreciate a number of presents.

So when the word was given to come forward with the presents, it just looked like every one wanted to be first and by the time we all got quiet, he had received a real pounding of every day necessities. Then the pastor arose and thanked the congregation for their kindness to him and said he guessed he would have to open up a store as he couldn’t see what else he would do with so much.

Then he began to tell of his wonderful experience in the Christian life, stating that he united with the church at this place 52 years ago on his birthday and the fight for the Master had grown stronger every day from that day until this, and that he had only a few more little battles with the Tempter before he would join the victory that 10,000 worlds like this could not buy.

The church at this place feels very fortunate in having a man like “Uncle Dock” (as he is called) to pastor its flock. He has served this church continuously (except for one year) for 15 years. The writer remembers being present at a meeting about 10 years ago when the church called Mr. Johnson for life if he would accept, which he did. So it may readily be seen that we all love Uncle Dock with an everlasting love. We all feel that if all preachers would live a life like Brother Johnson has lived (and all church members, too), we would have a country full of church folks that the world could not point the finger of scorn at and say, “I am just as good as you are,” as we so often hear it said.

Now let us all join Uncle Dock and try to make each day of our lives better days until we have put old Satan so far in the rear that he will have more work to do to catch us.

--C.H.C.

From page 2 of the Smithfield Herald, Oct. 28, 1924

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