Staying Power: The Fruit of the Spirit Series Book 5

By Jean Ellis Hudson

Love. Sickness. Death. Happiness. Accidents. Marriage. Beatings. Laughter. Changes!

Susannah Brown exhibited a loving patience and her family sought her out for advice and encouragement which she always provided. Unfortunately the arthritis she had began to take its toll. Jon, Ruths husband, came home from the war with shell shock and experienced many episodes with it to his dismay. Jeff often had nightmares of the war which in some ways were worse than what actually happened. Jeff meets Melody Martin at church, began to date her, eventually married her, despite her handicap, and they had children. Zeb Stuart, Jeffs partner in building furniture, had a horrible experience with bootleg whiskey, despite Prohibition, which led him into serious trouble and a beating. Reggie Barnhouse from Britain came home with Jeff after the war and began to work on the farm. He was a good worker and enjoyed cutting up with Clyde Armour. The time they all lived through was The Roaring Twenties, called that because it was a wild ride. Many changes occurred, such as Prohibition, Henry Fords cars, radio, airplanes, a new kind of music and dancing, womens right to vote, national sports, the KKK, immigration, political corruption, oilfields, Scopes Monkey Trial and the stock market crash of 1929.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Nov 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781490778990

Jean Ellis Hudson

Jean Ellis Hudson has her B.A. and M.Ed. in Secondary Education/Social Studies and taught high school for fifteen years. She went on to be a church secretary for several years. Upon retiring, she followed her dream of writing which she has wanted to do since she was fifteen years old. It only took her fifty years to get there! She enjoys writing Christian historical fiction. Her first book, A Journey to Faith, received a positive review from the US Review of Books which earned the book The Gold Seal of Literary Excellence. This was the first book in the series called The Fruit of the Spirit series. Her plans are to follow through all the fruits of the spirit in this series. This book, the sixth one, is the culmination of the series. Her interests include reading, writing, gardening, crafts, and graphic design. She live with her husband, Jimmy, in Georgia.

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Copyright 2016 Jean Ellis Hudson.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

isbn: 978-1-4907-7898-3 (sc)

isbn: 978-1-4907-7900-3 (hc)

isbn: 978-1-4907-7899-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016919666

The Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible (‘the KJV’), the rights in which are vested in the Crown in the United Kingdom, is reproduced here by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

All historical facts and events have been researched and authenticated as well as actual historical figures. Other characters are entirely fictitious as well as actual conversations. There is some literary license taken to help the flow of the story. Any errors are entirely those of the author.

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Trafford rev. 11/23/2016

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Dedicated to

Margie Hall and Martha Wilson

who have supported me and

hosted several book signings.

You have supported me in

other ways also and we’ve

certainly been through a

lot together.

I love you both

and thank you for your

support in my writing

adventure.

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Chapter 1

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to KDKA radio station in Pittsburgh! We are the first live broadcasting radio station in the United States. Tonight, November 2, 1920, we are covering the Harding-Cox Presidential election returns. We’ll be on the air until we know who has won the election tonight. So stay with us through the night to follow the election and find out who our next President will be. The results are pouring in! With ten states in, Warren Harding is far ahead of Cox.

Mama and Papa, isn’t this fantastic? You can hear news while it’s happening. You’ve got to get yourselves a radio. I think this news report is so interesting because this is the first Presidential election women have been able to vote in due to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Our Women’s Christian Temperance Union had a big hand in that. How about that, Ma? There is a lot of music and news on the air now. Music is usually on after ten p.m. Soap operas are on in the mornings and afternoons, while comedies, mysteries, crime, variety and other programs are aired in the evenings. The prediction is that some thirty new stations will come on the air in 1921. Radio is really popular.

Jon interrupted Ruth. I’ve heard there are some myths about radio. Some believe that radio waves could start a fire in the home during thunderstorms. Others think the waves are making them sick and many diseases are blamed on them. Some religious folks see radio as ‘the work of the devil’, they say.

Clem and Susannah looked at each other with the same thought. Clem voiced it. Well, as a matter of fact, we had planned on buying one, but this cinches the deal. We like it.

I’m so glad, Ruth chuckled. Now you can listen to ‘Roxy and His Gang’, Floyd Gibbons give the day’s news and even hear Grantland Rice announce the World Series. The World Series will be broadcast. Just imagine!

"Clem, this year the American Professional Football League has been formed with Jim Thorpe as President with eleven teams. There is talk that they’ll change the name to the National Football League in a couple of years.

Clem, I’ve been meaning to ask you what you think about prohibition in the 18th Amendment or Volstead Act by Congress. I think it was voted in January 16, 1920. Every tavern, bar and saloon in the United States was closed. Do you think it will work?

This is one of the most complicated issues this country has ever faced. The law says the sale, manufacture, and transport of any beverage with more than one-half of one percent of alcohol is illegal. The interestin’ thing is that it has not been made illegal to buy or drink alcohol. It doesn’t make sense to me. I’m afraid time will show us it was a wrong move to make it illegal. As much as I oppose alcohol, when people are told they can’t do somethin’ that is exactly what they will do. People will find a way to get alcohol if they have to make it themselves. Of course, that’s been done for years anyway by stills up in the mountains. Truthfully, I don’t think the government can legislate moral behavior. Let’s just wait and see.

Jon was on a roll and kept talking which pleased everyone. Clem, have you been reading or hearing about the Red Scare? They reflect the fear and sometimes hysteria of communism in this country, mainly because of the Communist Revolution in Russia in 1917. Their beliefs are very extreme to us and there is a fear it could take over our country. The radio said there are 150,000 anarchists or communists in our country. There is a highly publicized case concerning communists - of Sacco and Vanzetti who have been arrested for murder. The trial will be next year - 1921. The outcome will surely be interesting. Maybe it will set a standard for other people.

Jeff jumped back in, I read in the paper the other day. You all may have heard it. Harding is running on a promise of a ‘return to normalcy’. People believed in a better time before the Great War and want to go back to a more comfortable time. So they are supporting prohibition because alcohol wasn’t so predominant prior to 1920. It was more like the age before the war. Unfortunately, it has led to illegal speakeasies, bootleggers, racketeers and organized crime figures such as Chicago gangster Al Capone. They say he has 1,000 gunmen and half of Chicago’s police on his payroll. And he’s not the only one. There are many gangsters who do the same things Capone does, but he is the most well-known.

Jon spoke again. I read that the Red Scare has led to a widespread anti-immigration attitude and hysteria about immigrants. So much so, that Congress is looking to pass a law called the National Origins Act which will set immigration quotas that leave out people of Eastern Europe and Asians but will favor Northern Europeans such as people from Great Britain. And by the way, the Ku Klux Klan has reorganized and it’s said that millions of people have joined in Indiana and Illinois and other states. To them, the Klan is a return to all the values that the fast-paced, city-slicker Roaring Twenties are walking all over.

We are definitely living in a new time. A lot of changes. I don’t know if I’m ready for it all. Clem expressed his opinion.

Susannah spoke, Enough is enough. I can’t take anymore right now. Somebody help me with the dishes, please. Actually, everyone pitched in and carried the dishes to the sink and put away the food while Ruth washed the dishes and Jeff dried and put them away. Ruth wiped down the countertops and the stove. Since Susannah had developed a problem with her hands, she had needed help at meals and with other chores.

* * * * *

Ruth was busy using tiny stitches to make a new quilt for their bed and was concentrating all her attention on the task when suddenly she heard a scream from outside. She was startled and dropped her needle as she rose to see what the problem was. Looking out the window, she saw her husband Jon standing in the front yard, screaming, pointing and looking up into the sky. What did he see? she wondered. She ran outside, looked up and saw an airplane fly over, which was not a common sight, but somehow it had triggered in Jon an episode of shell shock which he had been suffering from since the Great War. The doctor didn’t give her much hope that he would completely get over his problem. Thousands of men had come home with the same condition. Unfortunately, it was one of the lasting traumas of war.

Ruth was still learning how to approach her husband when it happened. Her brother, Jeff Brown, had helped her a great deal in knowing what to do, but there were times when she had to call him to come and help her. This just might be one of those times. Ruth slowly walked toward Jon so as not to startle him. She began to speak softly. Jon, honey, it’s okay. I’m here. May I come closer?

Jon nodded. Ruth slowly moved closer to him until his eyes focused on her and not the plane. She reached for his hand, but he jerked away in fright. Sometimes she wondered if bringing him home from the hospital in London had been too soon. Too late to worry about that. Just deal with the present. She was thinking to herself.

I love you, Jon, with all my heart. May I hold your hand? He nodded and she took his hand and began to stroke it. "It’s alright, Jon, the plane is gone. There is nothing to worry about.

We’re safe and at home with the children. Why don’t we go inside where you can rest for a while? She began to stroll toward the house, but Jon was a little resistant at first. Finally, he walked with her inside the house. He stood there a few minutes, as if confused where he was. Come on, Jon. You need to rest. Come on." Ruth lost patience at that point because he didn’t move as fast as she wanted him to. He pulled his hand away and moved quickly to their bedroom and closed the door. Tears came to her eyes because she knew she’d handled the situation wrong. They were doing so well and then she lost patience. When would she learn?

She went over to the bedroom and tapped on the door. Jon, may I come in? I’m sorry I lost patience with you. Will you forgive me? She waited but all was quiet. She was about to give up when Jon opened the door. There were tears running down the cheeks of both of them when they reached for each other and hugged fiercely. I’m sorry, Jon. Forgive me? He nodded.

I’m sorry too, Ruth. I don’t know what happens to me, but I hate it. Please forgive me.

There’s nothing to forgive, my dear. I’ll always love you no matter what.

So will I, Ruth. Please don’t ever leave me.

Oh, Jon, you don’t think about that, do you? I will never leave you. I want to be by your side forever. Tears ran down her cheeks like rivers and dripped on her bodice. She took his face in her hands and lightly kissed him. Do you believe me, Jon?

Yes, love, I do believe you. Forgive me for thinking anything else. He grabbed her in a big bear hug.

* * * * *

This mud! I can’t walk! Get me out of here! Get down, Donald! Oh, no, Donald. No, don’t die. His eyes are like glass. He’s gone. Henry, where are you? I can’t find you. Don’t be dead, too! There you are. Are you okay? Henry, ah, Henry, not you too. The rats! Get away from me and the dead men! Leave me alone! Get away! Don’t bite me! Jeff Brown woke up suddenly with the sheets twisted around him, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. He sat up quickly and looked around for rats. When he focused in on where he was, he flopped back on the bed and waited for his body to return to normal. Lord, am I always goin’ to have these nightmares? I hate it! I just want to sleep through the night and feel good the next mornin’. I have nightmares every night. I’ve been home a month and I still have them. How long will they last? He turned on his side and tried to relax so he could go back to sleep, but sleep would not come. It was three a.m.

He got up, put on his pants and quietly went out on the porch, so he wouldn’t wake his parents, Clem and Susannah Brown or Reggie Barnhouse who had been in the war with him and was from London. He stood looking at the stars like his parents often did. The stars spoke of the grandeur and magnitude of God’s creation to Jeff. He liked to focus on the creation of God because it was so awesome, beautiful and intricate. He began to think of the flowers God had created – the colors, the shapes, the smells. How could there be so many different kinds of flowers? Then there were the other plants in great variety and animals. God’s mind and creativity were infinite. Man’s finite mind could not take it in.

He heard the door behind him open and turned. It was Reggie. Jeff asked, Couldn’t you sleep either?

No, I keep having nightmares. Do you?

Yeah, that’s what caused me to get up. I just can’t close my mind to the things we saw in the war. Death, rats, mud, injuries. When will it ever end? Or will it?

I don’t know, Jeff. I wish it would. I just want a solid night’s sleep.

Me, too. I think I’m goin’ to talk to Pa and see if he can help me. Would you like to talk to him too?

Sure. I’ll try anything to get some relief.

We might even talk to Pastor Tim. He’s the pastor of our church, and he’s a wise man to be as young as he is.

I’ll go with you anytime you want to go.

I wonder if Zeb Stuart has nightmares. He won’t talk to me about the war. In fact, he doesn’t talk to me much at all. I don’t know what’s happened to him. I know he lost his toes, but he can still walk. It’s like he’s turned against me. I don’t know. We were such good friends before the war.

Well, having lost my fingers, I can understand how he feels probably more than you can. It’s a loss you can’t explain to anybody else really. Maybe I could try to reach out to him sometime. What do you think, Jeff?

I’m not so sure about that idea. He has not totally accepted you, but maybe in time it will work out for you to talk to him. Don’t give up on the idea. Hey, let’s go back and at least lie down. I’m tired. Are you comin’?

I think I’ll just stay out here and watch the sun come up. God and I have some business to take care of.

Okay. Goodnight or good morning – whichever.

Reggie flopped down in a rocking chair and laid his head back. Lord, I really need Your help. The loss of my fingers is bad enough, but the nightmares are horrible. Please give me peace about my fingers and I ask for Zeb to have peace about the loss of his toes. Please take the nightmares away that Jeff and I both have so that we can sleep well and feel well. It was so horrible to go through the war, but to rehash it every night in my dreams is sometimes worse. Bring healing, Father, for all three of us – emotional healing. Thank You for what You are going to do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* * * * *

When Jeff’s alarm clock sounded the next morning, it woke him up. He blinked several times and realized he had actually been asleep. Wow! He wondered if Reggie had slept any. He dressed and went across the hall to Reggie’s room, but it was empty. He headed to the front porch and found Reggie asleep in the rocking chair. Jeff took his foot and rocked the chair which caused Reggie to jerk awake.

Hey, man, you did what I did. We both fell asleep. Bet I was more comfortable in the bed than you were in the rocking chair.

Well, I tell you. After I prayed, I fell right to sleep and had the best night’s sleep since we got back. I could’ve slept on the porch. How’d you sleep?

Like a rock after I went back to bed. I think God answered your prayers, my friend. Thanks for prayin’.

Maybe we need to be doing more of that, don’t you think?

Yep, and I will. Well, go get dressed. Breakfast will be ready soon.

As they all gathered for breakfast, Zeb came in to join Jeff, Reggie, Clem and Susannah. Good morning, Zeb. I hope you slept well, Clem asked. Zeb just shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. It was always that way with Zeb. Nobody could understand him.

Susannah turned from the stove to say good morning to everyone. I hope everyone slept well and you’re ready for a good breakfast.

Oh, yes, everyone responded, except Zeb but he looked eager. Susannah reached into the oven to get a pan of biscuits using a dishtowel to pick them up, turned around and dropped the pan and the biscuits all rolled around on the floor. Well, I’ll be, Susannah said with frustration. What is the matter with me? I dropped a bar of soap and chased it around the bathroom floor forever last night. I couldn’t seem to pick it up. I’ve been dropping a lot of things lately. What do you suppose is wrong with me?

Clem responded, I don’t know, but maybe we need to go see Dr. Hiram.

Well, we’ll see about that.

I know what that means. You won’t go. Susannah didn’t say anything else but helped the men pick up the biscuits.

I suppose just throw them away.

Reggie spoke up, Certainly not. We’ll just brush them off and eat them. Is everyone in agreement?

Everyone agreed affirmatively.

Zeb ate quickly and left for the furniture workshop where he and Jeff built and carved furniture. Clem took note of it and gave Susannah a look that told her he was following Zeb.

* * * * *

Clem gave Zeb time to get to the workshop and then entered behind him. Zeb, how are you doin’ this mornin’?

Zeb startled because he thought he was alone. Alright. Don’t ever scare a man who’s been in the war. You might get socked.

I’m sorry, Zeb. I didn’t realize that. What are you and Jeff workin’ on now?

We’re not workin’ on the same pieces. I’m kind of developin’ my own line of furniture. Mine is as good as Jeff’s and I want to be recognized for what I do. He gave Clem a stern look, waiting to see if Clem would say anything which he didn’t.

Could I see what you’re workin’ on? That is, if you don’t mind.

I don’t mind. Here it is. I’m makin’ a child-sized rockin’ horse for a little girl who lives in town. It’s for her birthday.

This is beautiful, Zeb. Is it finished?

No, I still have to put three more coats of sealer on it to protect it. I hope she likes it. I would have when I was her age.

I’m sure she’ll love it. Look at that. You carved the eyes and the muzzle. The mouth looks so real. You are really talented at this. Why don’t you make a few of these rockin’ horses and put them in the shop in town to sell?

Well, I don’t know how Jeff would feel about it. It’s his shop, not mine.

* * * * *

When Clem returned to the house, he immediately asked Jeff if he could talk with him. They went out on the porch.

Jeff, I’m concerned about Zeb’s attitude. He’s carvin’ a beautiful rockin’ horse and I asked him why he didn’t make a few and put them in the shop in town to sell. He said the shop was yours, not his. Is that the way it is, Jeff? Is he not part of the shop?

Pa, I’ve told Zeb several times that the shop is his too and that he should put whatever furniture he wants in there. He just won’t do it. When we talk about it, he builds up a head of steam and blows up. I just don’t know how to help Zeb. I don’t understand what’s happened to him – why he’s changed so much. What should I do, Pa?

Well, I’m not sure. If he would talk to Pastor Tim, it might help him, but I’m not sure he’d do it. One thought I had was to change the name of the shop and put up a new sign, including Zeb’s name. Maybe ‘Jeff and Zeb’s Handmade Furniture’. At least then he would know the shop was partly his. What do you think?

I think it’s a good idea, but again I don’t know how Zeb will respond. I never know, but it’s worth tryin’. I need to talk to him about it first to feel him out about it. Could you go with me to talk to him?

Sure, if you want me to, but this is really a decision between the two of you.

"I know, but maybe he’ll respond more favorably if you’re there and not lose his temper.

Could we go now? Do you have time?"

I’ll take time, son, if we can work this out.

Clem and Jeff headed to the workshop, while Jeff’s mind was working on what to say. They found Zeb working on the rocking horse. Jeff made some noise to let Zeb know they were there. Could I talk to you, Zeb, about an idea I’ve had?

You can talk and I’ll listen. I’ve got to finish this coat of sealer so it won’t lap.

That’s fine. I’ve been thinkin’ that you need to be a full partner in the shop in town. I want you to feel free to put whatever furniture you want to in the shop. Why don’t we rename the shop and call it ‘Jeff and Zeb’s Handmade Furniture’? You might have a better suggestion for a name. That’s just one thought I had. What do you think?

Zeb was quiet until he finished brushing on the sealer. Then he sat back on his heels and looked at Jeff. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? Do you want to be tied to a gimp from the war?

Zeb, you’re not a gimp. I want to share the shop with you and I want you to feel free to put whatever furniture you choose in it. You are a great furniture builder and carver. I want to see you be a success with it, and in fact you already are. We can share buildin’ the furniture or keep it totally separate – whatever suits you.

Let’s keep it separate for now. I want to make a name for myself. Changin’ the name of the shop is okay with me if it’s okay with you.

It’s great with me. This makes me happy, Zeb, and I hope it will you. Let’s get to work on that new sign! Clem quietly slipped out. He hoped and prayed things would work out between them.

* * * * *

After supper, Zeb went to his room off the tack room in the stable. Jeff kept trying to get him to share his room in the house, but he liked the solitude he had in his own room. He also didn’t want to be around the Brit that much. Zeb pulled out a tablet and a pencil to write his parents. It had been a while and they were surely wondering about him. He had never been able to tell them how he really was and he never would. He would probably never see them again anyway. He didn’t want them to see him as the gimp he was.

February 15, 1920

Dear Ma and Pa,

I’m sorry I haven’t written in so long, but I’ve been busy with work. Thankfully the war is over and things are really changin’ in the U.S. We’ve got Prohibition, cars, radios, airplanes, baseball, KKK. So many changes are happenin’. I’m not into all that. I just hear about it. I spend most all my time buildin’ and carvin’ furniture. I’m developin’ my own line of furniture to go along with Jeff’s. I’m now a partner in the business and we’ve changed the name of the shop to ‘Jeff and Zeb’s Handmade Furniture". Sounds good, don’t it? It feels good. I never thought it would happen. I’m proud of it.

I hope you’re both doin’ well and that the farm work is not too much for you. Do you still have some help? I’m doin’ fine and workin’ hard. I pray for you and hope you pray for me.

I love you both. Write me when you can.

Your son,

Zeb

* * * * *

Pastor Tim headed into the mercantile for some things he needed and found Ellen, the wife of the owner John Edwards, behind the counter. Well, hello, Pastor Tim. How are you? I was just thinking about you. What can I help you with?

I need a pound of sugar, two pounds of flour, a pound of corn meal, five pounds of potatoes and a pound of bacon. That’ll be all.

Ellen began gathering the things on his list but never stopped talking. Don’t you want to know what I was thinking about you when you came in?

That I need a wife. He grinned broadly because he had beat her to the punch this time.

Ellen stopped what she was doing and looked at him with her mouth open. He got you this time, Ellen, John said with a chuckle. Why do you badger the man every time he comes in? It’s not any of your business. John had just come downstairs from their living quarters and scolded her.

It just makes sense that he would be happier with a wife and children. Don’t you think so, Pastor?

It’s entirely up to the Lord. He knows what’s best for each of us. How much do I owe you? Pastor Tim paid his bill, shook John’s hand and winked at him. See you Sunday. He waved as he left.

Ellen, don’t ever say that to the Pastor again. It’s rude to be so personal.

I didn’t mean any harm. I will apologize Sunday. You’re right, John. I won’t bring it up again.

* * * * *

Pastor Tim took his purchases home and then returned with his horse and wagon to have some work done on his wagon at the town stable. Howdy, Pastor Tim, what can I do fer ye?

I need some work on my wagon.

Man, ye do, don’t ye? I’ll have to keep her a day or two. That alright?

That’s fine. I’ll unhitch my horse and ride her home. He proceeded to unhitch his horse.

Hey, Pastor, when ye gonna git hitched yeself? chuckled Hank.

When the Lord says so, Hank, and not a minute before. That kind of removed the chuckle from Hank’s face. See you, Hank. Pastor Tim rode off.

Hank watched him and said, Well.

* * * * *

Reggie turned out to be a great addition to the farm as a hard worker, but also he loved life and loved to laugh as well as making others laugh. Aside from the war memories and nightmares, he enjoyed life. He and Clyde enjoyed kidding around and making jokes. He learned to work with the bees and even grew to like it. Mainly he helped Clem and Clyde with the cotton and corn. It seemed that he went from pillar to post in the many jobs he did, but he liked it. He never really hemmed and hawed around about what he thought. You knew where you stood with him. Not a bad character trait actually.

* * * * *

Clem, Susannah, Jeff, Reggie and Zeb had finished eating supper one night when Clem opened his newspaper to find out what was going on in the world. The others continued talking while Clem became engrossed in his paper.

Did you all know that we’re livin’ in the ‘Roarin’ Twenties’? It’s right here in the paper.

I’ve heard it, Jeff responded. I guess it comes from all the changes we’re seein’ in the country.

Gee, this is also called the ‘Jazz Age’, the ‘Age of Intolerance’, the ‘Gilded Age’, and the ‘Age of Wonderful Nonsense’. That last one gets me. You know, livin out here in the boonies we don’t experience all that ‘nonsense’ and I’m glad. I hope everybody stays away from it in my family. He paused a moment and then read again, ‘The 1920s are an age of dramatic social and political change. For the first time, more Americans live in cities than on farms. The nation’s total wealth has grown fast. Wage earners’ wages in the city have increased by fifty percent. All these changes may bring more conflict than celebration. For many, even most, people in the United States would agree with the conflict. For a small handful of young people in the nation’s big cities, the 1920s are roarin’ indeed.’

Pa – Jeff started.

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Chapter 2

Then listen to this, Clem commented to his family. ‘The most important product of the 1920s is the automobile. The Ford Model T costs just $260 and credit has made cars affordable. In time, cars will become necessities. Businesses like service stations and motels are beginning to grow to meet drivers’ needs. Henry Ford has blazed the way by selling 15 million of the Model T. He, along with Ransom Olds and Henry Leland, has developed an assembly line for faster production. The car’s popularity and construction of roads and highways is pourin’ more public funds into the economy which has brought economic prosperity during the 1920s. Americans have never lived so well and have more time and money to spend. Americans are now buying phonographs, factory-made furniture, radios, electric appliances, cars and ‘entertainment’. The 1920s is a time of technological wonder. There are electric vacuum cleaners, electric refrigerators and freezers, and electric washing machines. Also, canned foods and ready-made clothing have liberated women from much household drudgery. Millions of women work in white-collar jobs and can participate in the consumer economy of today.’"

I want one of those appliances, piped in Susannah.

Which one? Clem asked.

One of each, of course. They all laughed.

"It goes on to say: ‘This is an era of liberation for women which has led to the ‘flapper’, generally a young girl or woman somewhat daring in conduct, speech and dress, immortalized in the short stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald and by silent film stars like Clara Bow, Colleen Moore and Louise Brooks. The ‘flapper’ movement in the country is the most familiar symbol of the ‘Roaring Twenties’. Young women are wearing bobbed hair which is widely condemned as indecent by clergy and other conservatives. The Marcel permanent wave, actually an arrangement of several soft waves, is popular. Also popular is the straight Dutch bob with bangs and cut over the ears. These young women also wear heavy makeup, such as rouge, deep red lipstick and heavy mascara, short skirts (all the way to the knee!), low necklines, unfastened galoshes, and silk and rayon stockings rolled below the knee. They also wear very long, multiple strings of beads, pearl necklaces, large earrings and multiple bracelets.

‘The flappers are also drinkers despite Prohibition and indulge in smoking cigarettes. By 1920 lady smokers are a common sight on the streets of any big city. The younger girls or ladies are worse than the boys. They smoke and drink as though it were nothing.

‘Just this year, a London doctor wrote that the low necklines of women’s clothes caused an increase in goiter, calling the new fashions ‘evil’. A noted criminologist believed that the ‘crime wave’ of the time is due to ‘the scandalous dress of our women’. In more than a dozen states bills have been put before legislatures to standardize the length of women’s skirts and the necklines. Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio are a few.

‘A ten-year-old girl testified against her mother in a court case of guardianship that she didn’t believe her mother was a Christian because she bobbed her hair. She said the Bible says in I Corinthians 11 that a woman should not cut her hair. She wears jewelry and bright colored clothes, the girl said. A Christian woman shouldn’t do those things.’"

Can you believe that? A child against her own mother? Susannah commented, rather horrified. I’d take her over my knee. They all laughed because none of them had ever seen Susannah do such a thing when a stiff talk would do.

* * * * *

Pastor Tim had decided once again to make marriage a matter of prayer, serious, pouring out his heart, prayer. Did God mean for him to marry or not?

One Saturday morning he went to his knees beside his bed in prayer. Father in heaven, what is Your will for me concerning marriage? We both know that I’ve asked You this same question many times and I hope this will be the last time. You know me better than anyone and what’s best for me. My life was dedicated to You and Your work many years ago. I promised I would follow You wherever You led me and do what You’d have me do. I hope my life has been pleasing to You, Lord, because I want it to be more than anything. As Your child, I’m asking for Your touch upon my heart to fill me with Your Spirit. I want everything You want to give me, Lord, and I don’t want to be led astray – ever. Hold me to Your path with Your Light showing the way.

My Father, I’m asked so often when I plan to marry, am I going to marry, who will I marry. I’m running out of answers, Lord. How should I handle this? Give me direction with this, Lord. Give me an answer, please. I am content to remain single which I believe is Your will for me in order to serve You and the flock You’ve given me. How can I help others see this? I pray that You do a work in the hearts and minds of the people in Victory so they’ll understand. Pastor Tim grew quiet for a few moments as he felt God speaking to his heart. Yes, Lord! Yes! I will do it! He grew quiet again as he listened to the Lord laying someone on his heart. Thank you, Father. I will do what I can. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* * * * *

The next Sunday morning dawned bright and clear with a touch of crispness in the air. Fall would soon be upon them. Pastor Tim awoke with a yawn and a stretch of his arms above his head. He threw back the covers and arose, feeling excited and filled with the Spirit. Today was the day! He couldn’t wait to preach God’s word to his congregation especially on this particular day.

Pastor Tim greeted everyone as they entered the church as he always did. Sunday School preceded the worship service. When he finally got into the pulpit, he wanted to say it all at once but calmed himself down to give an organized and well-thought out sermon.

Good morning, friends. I hope you’ve had a good week and are ready to delve into God’s word. I know I am. I’ve looked forward to today all week. God has laid on my heart a special topic to see what His word says to us about it. That topic is marriage. Tittering ran through the congregation. Many of the women whispered to each other behind their hands. They were all thinking that they would finally find out about the preacher. Maybe he was about to get married! Most thoughts went wild, except Jeff’s. Jeff prepared himself to truly hear what the Bible said about marriage.

Pastor Tim spoke loudly to be heard over the tittering and it finally stopped. "God created marriage in the Garden of Eden when He put Adam and Eve together. He believes in marriage as we see in the scripture in Revelation 19:7 which says: ‘Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.’ Who is the Lamb? Jesus. Who is the wife? The church. We the church should be preparing ourselves to meet the Lamb at the marriage supper. Marriages now are a type of the great marriage supper of the Lamb to come. So God created marriage. He blesses marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says: ‘Marriage is honourable in all.’ Does He mean for everyone to marry? Let’s see what the scripture says.

"I Corinthians 7:38 says: ‘So he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.’ Paul wrote Corinthians and we’re not sure if he ever married. He doesn’t specifically tell us, but he does say here that if a father gives his daughter in marriage it’s fine, but if he doesn’t give her in marriage it’s better. In I Corinthians 7:28, it says ‘But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a