February 25, 2019 - In 1968 I moved from The First Baptist Church of Mauriceville, Texas to The First Baptist Church of Hemphill, Texas. Buddy White, a friend from Mauriceville helped me by using a U-Haul rental truck. When we turned off Highway 96 at Pineland, we were pulled over by a Highway Patrolman. His first words were, “Where do you think you’re going in that truck?” When I told him “Hemphill”, he barked back, “And why are you moving there?” By this time Buddy and I both knew we were being verbally attacked, but didn’t know why. When I heard Buddy breathing heavily, I looked over, his eyes were wide open and his face blood red. I knew Buddy had a short fuse and figured something was about to blow.
When I told the Trooper where I was going, he angrily replied, “And what the h--- are you going to do there?” When I told him I was their new pastor, his whole demeanor changed. “Oh, you’ll love Hemphill. Do you know Harris Minton? I replied by telling him that Harris was the Deacon Chairman of the church. “Well, drive safe,” he said as he drove away.
I was a little nervous about Hemphill after meeting the Officer. But he was right about Hemphill. They were some of the kindest people I have ever met. I had many interesting experiences there…and I’ll write some stories about them…..
,,,,in my next book.
