From the time of Mother’s conversion in Los Angeles, the Lord dealt with my heart, but I was a pleasure-loving young man and sought reality in the things of this world. As for health, money, and entertainment, I had those things. The world held out a glittering hand to me; and I planned to leave Christianity alone until the last minute of the program of my life. 

The beaches, the mountains, the pleasure resorts, and the places of amusement in Southern California were my haunts continually. I smoked, danced and played cards, but found that sin left a bitter sting. Many a night I went home from a worldly good time and wet my pillow with tears, wishing something in life could bring more satisfaction. I left Los Angeles and came to Portland where I obtained a position in a large business house. Mother was praying for me continually that I might be saved; and one night when I attended the service at Front and Burnside, conviction rested heavily upon my heart. At the close of the meeting it seemed that everything turned black and I could see nothing but my lost condition and my need of God. I answered the Spirit’s call, saying, “Lord, I will settle this eternal matter tonight.” My mother took my arm and led me to the altar. 

On my knees I repented of my sins and gave my life to God for time and eternity. That Friday night, October 23, 1908, at 10:30 p.m. God saved my soul; later He sanctified me, and the next night He baptized me with the Holy Ghost. I had found the satisfaction my soul had so long craved. From that time on, my life’s ambition has been centered on the Gospel of Christ and the work of evangelism. 

I was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ on July 1, 1910, and worked shoulder to shoulder with my mother and other veteran ministers in disseminating the Gospel. What a joy it has been through the years to tell other sin-sick souls the story of salvation and to help them pray their way through to victory!