Now many folks say that when Grandpa promised his children that he would give them $100.00 on their birthday, when they were 21, he was only bribing them, and that this is not a worthwhile basis for right conduct. Well all I can say to this; that set the pattern, that Papa made the saw offer to me, and to my brothers and I did to my boys and girls and so far as I know it has worked out very well. While smoking is not as dangerous in its result as whiskey, it can become an expensive habit. I hope too my grandchildren my get more pleasure out or the stamps I hope to leave them, than they could out of tobacco ashes. Let me hope so.
My life with Grandpa was a happy one, though I missed being with Papa and the family. I have often pondered over what the Bible means when it speaks of The Fear of God. It is perfectly clear that when we are fully aware of God's love for us in the Lord Christ that we cannot help but love Him for what He is and what He has done, and does for us in fact every moment of our lives. At the same time it was hard for me to see how we could fear Him at the same time. Now I think I understand something of what it means. There is no question that I loved and feared Grandpa with all my heart. But I never feared him in the sense of what he could or would do to me in the way of physical punishment. Let me tell you an occurrence that I believe will illustrate what I am trying to say here, One Sunday at the A.R.P. Church I asked Grandpa if I could sit with some of my boy during the sermon, He told me I might. However during the sermon we began to whisper. I noticed he looked at us, and that at least quieted me. When we got home he said in substance, "John, do you have to be tied to your Grandma's apron string to make you behave?" Well I knew "fear" then, not that he would take a switch to me which I then wished he would but I knew I had disappointed him, and I was afraid that I was not the of a boy that he expected his grandson to be. After all God has done for me, all beyond temporal blessings I fear that I cannot live and serve Him as a His child should. Not of necessity, but out of deep gratitude for His mercy which Is everlasting;,
Once while at Westminster the boys got mad at a meeting the Principal and Rev. Morrison who also was serving as the pastor of the "Old Britain" Church, and all of them left school and went home but one. I knew - or felt pretty sure - that I would be on the way back just as soon as I could get turned around. I had heard him tell the story about the boys at Davidson all of whom revolted over the ruling of the faculty. He did not believe in rebellions of any kind. He had served for 4 years as a Confederate soldier and believed in strict obedience to orders, I think Papa and Uncle Nick got plenty of switching, because they were near