OUT OF THE PAST
From out of the past we have excerpts of a letter written by Walter I. Rowley, to his brother, David W. Rowley, while Walter was serving in the Mission Field in the then Eastern States Mission. Walter and David are sons of Hugh Thompson Rowley, (and Grace Davis) who was a son of John Thompson Rowley and Jane Paul.
Louisville, KY
Feb. 3, 1938
Dear Bro., Family and All;
I had my first experience today as a missionary. I and Elder Wartena, from Great Falls, a member of three years, went tracting here in Louisville. He took the first about half a dozen places, we were out about six hours of course he was there when I ran out of gab and came to my rescue. Though we had the door shut in our faces twice, I think it was a wonderful experience, and I sure liked it. I think I’m going to like this work.
Say for beautiful church houses and one everywhere you look. There is over 90,000 in church buildings here in Louisville; the population is over 250 thousand.
I and two other Elders went to a tobacco Mfg. Co. the other day. There are just hundreds of woman working there, just a few men to do the heavy work. It’s quite a process. They gave us two packages of cigarettes not a good start for missionaries, huh!
Oh yes, did I tell you about getting my Patriarchal Blessing again before I left Salt Lake City. It ran hand to hand with my other, but much longer and pertaining more to mission. I’m sure proud of it and I’m going to do my best to live up to it and I can with God’s help. Oh yes, I was ordained a Seventy just before I left.
Let me know when conference is going to be up there, and tell all hello, hoping you well and may God’s choicest blessings be upon you all.
As ever you loving bro,
Walter I. Rowley (Walter Ilith Rowley)
927 S. 4 St.
Louisville, KY
Did you like the idea of Out of the Past? If you have any letters that you feel would be of interest to us, and would part with them for a short period of time, please send them in. We feel this can bring home pleasant memories and enjoyable hours pondering over the things that have gone by.
Loony Lunts and Company 