History of Faith Publishing
Fred Pruitt
Wayne Murphey
Every sacrifice requires preparation. The beginning of this publishing ministry has its roots on the plains of a homestead in New Mexico, 18 miles northwest of Clovis. It was there that God dealt with the heart of my grandfather, Fred Pruitt, and saved him from his sins. There was more that needed to be done in order for him to be a vessel the Lord could use, and God was faithful to show my grandfather the plan of sanctification. In the book God's Gracious Dealings he tells of this experience.
"One Sunday night I was to lead prayer meeting. On Thursday night before, I was looking up some Scriptures to read in prayer meeting and on which to comment. I was reading the seventh chapter of Romans where Paul said, "for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I," and also the twentieth verse which reads: "Now if I do that Iwould not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me." I was telling Wife that Paul was a Christian and in that condition, so that we need not expect to be any better but would be troubled as he was. I was intending to teach that at prayer meeting. As I got up and went to put the Bible away, the Lord spoke to me and said, "You must not teach that-you must not go up there and teach that." I was bewildered and knew not what to think or say, as this was the first time the Lord had ever spoken to me so definitely, and too, I felt sure I knew the meaning of those Scriptures. If I were wrong, what did it mean? What was I to do? What was I to teach? These were puzzling questions to me. I was in deep thought and very anxious to know exactly what Paul was teaching. I soon retired to bed, still thinking of the words of the Lord, "You must not teach that." Presently a voice spoke to me very loudly, clearly, and distinctly, saying, "Paul was telling how he felt when he was in sin." I was astonished and turned over to see if anyone was in the room. I could see no one. I lay there in a puzzled and perplexed condition, wondering what to think of these things. The Lord spoke clearly and distinctly again and said, "Paul was telling how he felt when he was in sin." The Lord had sent His angel to speak to me and set me right in this matter. In my heart I said, "Amen, Lord." Feeling more and more the need of a pure heart and the Spirit to dwell in me to give me understanding of the Scriptures, I sought God earnestly for a pure heart, and there in the night as I lay upon my bed, God purified my heart by faith that is in Him. (Acts 15:9b.) The Comforter came in to abide. The Holy Spirit was given to lead and "guide" me "into all truth." (John 16:13.) The promise of the Father (Luke 24:49) was sent into my soul. Oh, what a blessing! It seemed that good things the Spirit brought to my mind and heart. Truly, Christ abode in the Father and they had come and taken up their abode in this clay body!
"Truly a new era had dawned in our lives. The Holy Spirit was to lead us now. To be in communion with God the Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all things therein, was greatly inspiring and uplifting. The Sun of righteousness arose with healing in His wings. (Malachi 4:2.) And we were to `go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.'
"When I got up the next morning and walked out into the yard, it seemed that I was treading the air and the strong power of God was reigning in my heart. Oh, how immensely I loved God! I was wrapped up in Him; was truly "hid with Christ in God." I went to the barn to milk the cows. I always had to tie one cow when I milked her, as she was a fierce kicker. I was so completely enveloped in God that I never thought of tying her. She stood quietly like a gentle cow. It seemed like the cows were sanctified, too. The love of God and the glory of God were flooding my soul. The love for souls increased a hundred fold. Great love came into my heart for those whom I had hated before I was justified. I received a burden to go and visit Bro. Joe Fuller, a neighbor with whom I had had trouble when I was in sin. I had hated him. He was at this time preaching the gospel of holiness. I hurried down to him and told him what God had done for me and asked him to forgive me for what I had said and done against him. He did so, and I went home satisfied and exceedingly happy.
"That very day the Lord laid the burden on my heart to preach the gospel and it was a great The Lord continued to deal with Grandpa Pruitt, revealing to him the Church of God and the path that He wanted his life to take. Grandpa preached in schoolhouses within about a twenty-mile radius of his home, and God's blessings were with him to uphold him in opposition which the enemy brought, and to give power for divine healing and the casting out of devils.
After several years of preaching the gospel, Grandpa Pruitt began to be burdened of the Lord to sell his property and move on to a new field of labor. One day, while praying in the barn about the matter, he told the Lord he would do this if He would make his wife perfectly willing. Grandpa arose from his knees, went into the house and told Grandma what God was wanting them to do, and she said she was perfectly willing. They sold their property and moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where there was a Church of God congregation under the pastorship of Bro. G. E. Harmon. At Clovis, Grandpa waited for further directions from the Lord as to what He wanted him to do.
Grandpa made a trip to Kansas to visit family and preach to the people in that area. The Lord led him to go by way of Guthrie, OK, on his return to visit Bro. L. Y. Janes and his wife, who had a gospel printing work in a rented four-room house, with their printing equipment in two of the rooms. Grandpa had come in contact with their work through tracts and by subscribing to the paper which they printed, Field Views and Testimonies, which they printed. Bro. L. Y. Janes talked to Grandpa about coming and helping them, so Grandpa went home and sought the Lord for guidance.
On June 13, 1918, Grandpa Pruitt arrived in Guthrie with his family and few belongings, ready and qualified for the work that lay before them. It was the beginning of 45 years of ministering the grace of the Lord to others.
In the spring of 1923, Grandpa Pruitt and Bro. L. Y. Janes felt God would be pleased for them to separate and go in different directions with the printing work. Therefore, in March with the assistance and close association of Bro. Robert Longley, the first issue of the Faith and Victory magazine was printed. It is undeniable that God's blessings have rested on the work. Through tears and joys, high points and low points, Grandpa Pruitt remained steadfast in the everyday labor of the Lord. The work grew from its infancy to where many thousands of books and tracts are being circulated around the world. The name of God has been brought to the attention of countless people because of the consecration which was made.
As well as his work at the Print Shop, Grandpa Pruitt's ministry included visiting the poor farm where the old and homeless were cared for, visiting the county jail, pastoring the Guthrie congregation, fulfilling preaching appointments in several congregations in Oklahoma and traveling on extended gospel trips.
On June 6, 1963, his body wore out, and he passed away from a heart attack at the age of 81.
As can be imagined, Grandpa Pruitt's passing was a shocking and unsettling event. He had been at the helm of the work from its beginning, and was the one around whom the work rotated. But God was not unmindful of what had been a blessing to so many. He had others who were qualified and ready for service: Grandfather's son, Lawrence Pruitt, and his daughter, Marie Miles.
Uncle Lawrence had grown up around the Print Shop, helping in diffferent facets of the work. From December of 1932 to March 1947, he edited the Young People's section of the Faith and Victory. He held other commercial jobs, including the operation of his own commercial print shop, but in October 1958, he returned to work at the Print Shop on a full-time basis. Following is his own account of the changing of editorship."At the close of that warm June day when my father was so suddenly taken from us, I returned to my home from the office about 10:00 p.m. I was there alone in my grief, my wife, Maybelle, having gone on the previous Monday to the bedside of her mother in San Bernardino, California where she had suffered a stroke. (Please pray for her and all the family in this trial of affliction.) As I lifted my heart to the Lord in prayer, I asked Him to give me a special scripture for my comfort and consolation. As I opened my Bible this is the first verse that came to my view: `I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.' II Samuel 22:4. This was David's song of thanksgiving after he was delivered out of the hand of Saul, and this is the text I am resting upon. In calling on the Lord I am fully convinced there is a solution and a way to meet with victory every problem of life.
"My father's desire and request was that my sister, Mrs. Anna Marie Miles, and myself should assume and continue the operation of this publishing work after his passing in accordance with the original aims and purposes for which it was established. Over the years he has communicated these policies to us.
"Not only was this his request, but also the Lord has especially burdened each of us to labor for Him in this capacity. In obedience to this call we have been directly engaged in the work for a number of years. As a lad of 13 years I learned to operate the Linotype machine in this publishing work and helped most of the time in the shop until 1934 when I took a job as a printer-operator in a local commercial printing plant and resigned from that position in 1958. Since then I have been engaged in this gospel printing work.
"Some 36 years ago, in 1927, this writer, as a boy of 16 years, was definitely converted at an old-fashioned camp meeting of the Church of God in Oklahoma City. Then and there I counted the cost, paid the price and made a decision to follow the Lord the remainder of my life. Later I sought and obtained the experience of sanctification, dedicating my life to the leadings of the Spirit of God. Up to this moment my faith has not failed though tried many times, and the anchor holds firm to the solid Rock. Through all these years we have been intensely interested and closely connected with His gospel printing work which my father, mother and co-laborers were engaged in, and have aided in its advancement and progress in every way possible.
"Now we believe that the Lord will help us in the much greater responsibility that has fallen upon us. By the special help and leadings of the Holy Spirit, and the earnest prayers of the saints we will endeavor to continue to proclaim the great truths of the Bible which brought forth this precious "evening light" reformation, free from compromise or fanaticism. To this end we solicit the earnest prayers and cooperation of the Church at large."
Aunt Marie Miles was also prepared for the work which God had for her to do. She was not unaware of the sacrifices which would be required, for she had grown up in the Pruitt family and seen the hardships which are required to labor in the gospel field. Here the story is told in her own words: "Words cannot express the love and appreciation we have for the children of God who have been so precious to stand by us in this time of sorrow. At times it seemed my heart would break but then the echo of words spoken directly to me, and over the phone, and those written in letters helped me to look up to God and He would ease the hurt, and again I could see God's hand working and I could view my father's going as he did. He has talked to me in the last couple of years about his going as any person would talk about the trip they intended to take. He made me feel that this trip was to be the most glorious trip he would ever take. He instructed me about what he wanted done in this work which was so close to his heart. He knew the burden I had for it and he and Lawrence and I prayed together often about its progress in reaching more souls.
"When I was still small, I sat at a table and folded tracts by hand as we did not have a tract folder in those days. As I grew older I learned to operate some of the machinery. When I was a child it was just work that had to be done to me, but when I was older and was saved, a burden fell upon me to help others. Many times I would fold tracts, wrap papers, fill orders and pray the Lord to make that particular tract, booklet or paper a blessing to some soul. I helped here in the office until my marriage at the age of 22 years. Before I married I traveled in the gospel work with my father and we were in close communion with each other. When my husband asked for me, he told Carl that he could hardly give me up but felt it would only be selfishness to want to keep me from him. For 18 years I lived in California after marriage. During those years I learned many things. At the time I did not know that the Lord was preparing me for this work. I had some hard things to endure that have helped me to understand those who have troubles.
"In October, 1954 I came to Guthrie and cared for my precious mother for two weeks before she was called to her reward. I returned to California with a burden upon my heart. I left my bereaved father, who told me with tears that he did not know how he could carry on this printing work alone. He needed a man and his wife to move in here with him but who would that be? One day in prayer the Lord made me know He wanted me to come here and help. What a mountain stood between me and a move to this place! After much prayer I was much surprised to find that my husband was somewhat favorable. He had a good job with seniority. Some at work plainly told him he was making a big mistake but God's big hand was in it all. My teenage boys were willing. When I wrote my father about it he wrote me that God had answered prayer in a greater way than he ever expected. Soon our furniture was sold, our home redecorated and rented and we were on our way. The call to come was so definite and so plain.
"I have been here working with my father now almost nine years. We had appointments nearly every Sunday at other towns in places where the saints did not have a pastor but did have a place of worship. I had been driving the car and taking him, his wife and others to these places. We would have two services and the Lord blessed us together in our labors for God. Many times I would ask him to tell if I preached anything that would not be just as God's Word taught it because I valued the revelation that God had given him on the Word. Yet the same Holy Spirit was revealing the same word of truth to me. Our spiritual life together has been precious.
"As I came into the office this morning, rather early, the tears flowed, as I didn't see my father here as he always was. We miss him and it seems we will miss him even more as the days bring the realization more and more that we will not see him again in this life, but thank God, we sorrow not as those who have no hope."
With Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Marie at the controls, the work settled into the normal routine of battles and victories. The work prospered, many workers came and went, and more of the gospel was made available, including many of the old, out-of-print Gospel Trumpet books.
This duo of leadership was broken with the death of Aunt Marie on July 29, 1981. After battling an affliction for several months, she passed away at the age of 67 years.
Uncle Lawrence continued the legacy given to him by his father, also battling a severe affliction of cancer for several years. On October 4, 1982, at the age of 71, he was relieved by God from his labors and given eternal rest.
For several months before Uncle Lawrence went to be with the Lord, his affliction prevented him from spending full time at the shop, requiring him to stay at home more as his strength failed. In this time of need he depended upon Bro. Randall Flynn, a dedicated worker who came in 1972 from Loranger, LA, to help in the Print Shop, and me, to help with the editorial responsibilites of the paper. Much more of the management of the work fell upon his wife, Maybelle Pruitt. After Uncle Lawrence's passing, a meeting of the board of trustees was held in which Aunt Maybelle expressed that it had been Uncle Lawrence's wish for her to be the president of the board. She felt that God also wanted her to serve in this capacity, and although she didn't entirely understand why she had been chosen to do so, she was willing, declaring, "By the help of the Lord I mean to pick up the torch and carry on." She did just that.
Aunt Maybelle put her whole heart into the work, laboring and sacrificing, while at the same time seeing that all the needs of the Print Shop workers were met. Her dedication was unquestionable and it was an inspiration to those around her.
But on January 9, 1990, change again came to the Print Shop. After several weeks of illness, Aunt Maybelle went to be with the Lord. Having been associated with Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Marie in the publishing work, and having labored closely with Aunt Maybelle in its oversight, I consider it a privilege to be called of the Lord to carry on this work, the roots of which reach all the way back to the dealings of God with my grandfather on the plains of New Mexico.
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The Outreach of Faith Publishing House
Over the years the Print Shop has experienced much opposition. There have been those who have publicly defamed it by accusing it of being compromised, as well as those who have considered it fanatical. But from its beginning, the Print Shop has published the Word of God as a clarion call to His people, and there have been many testimonies published over the years of people who have been made aware of the fellowship of the spirit which is among the people of God by reading a tract, book or the Faith and Victory.
At this point I must stop and give credit to those who have made it possible for Biblical literature to be published through the means of their donations. Some have questioned in times past how God's work can be financed if the doctrine of tithing is not taught. When those who love the truth are just as dedicated as those who publish the gospel, there is no fear of God's work lacking. At no time has the Print Shop been comfortably supplied with funds, but when needs arise they have been met. Many times bills come due about which we tell no one, but in answer to prayer God lays it on the heart of a saint to respond. Just as in the time of Christ, the finances come many times from the widow with hardly enough for herself, but a willingness to make God's cause first in her life. As these faithful partners pass on to be with the Lord, we trust God to lay it on the hearts of younger people to see the need, as well as the blessing, in the regular giving of their means to God.
Foreign missionary work has always been made a priority. Large quantities of tracts and Bibles have been shipped to other countries in several different languages, almost always free of charge. The recipients usually ask for more of the truth. By this freewill giving many contacts have been made and several mission stations established.
One of the very first congregations established on foreign soil was due to contact made with Bro. B. U. Etuk. In 1964, Bro. David Madden visited Nigeria, making the first personal contact. He was there from March 28 to April 10, and upon his return home died of malaria.
Bro. David's death was quite a sorrow to the Church, but on August 13, 1964, Bro. Ostis Wilson, Jr., and his wife, Sis. Opal, stepped on Nigerian soil to visit the churches and encourage the saints. Tragically, Sis. Opal Wilson became ill and passed away on September 24, while still in Africa. The deaths of Bro. Madden and Sis. Wilson made the people in Nigeria wonder if any of the saints would ever visit them again, but there have been others in later years who have traveled to Nigeria to enjoy the fellowship of the saints there.
Currently Bro. Titus Enu and Bro. O. B. Alalibo are active in overseeing the work in Nigeria.
Another foreign mission which has been a blessing to the Church over the years was established in India by Bro. C. M. Varghese. After his death, his son, Bro. John Varghese, filled the void and has expended much effort to promote the gospel in his country. A print shop has been established in India which bears the name of Faith Publishing House. From it the printed Word has gone out to many people.
Gospel efforts in the Philippines have been supported by the Church for many years. Since Bro. Matias Tangunan came in contact with Faith Publishing House, and literature in both English and the native language has been shipped there. With the help of his family, Bro. Tangunan's outreach into various "barrios" has established several congregations. There is great anticipation of what can be accomplished in the future in these islands, and renewed efforts are being made to promote the gospel in that part of the world.
Many other foreign mission works have been started by the printed Word and the monthly support of the saints. As the Holy Spirit has moved upon His Church, saints with a missionary burden have left the comfort of their homes to go out and seek the lost.
Although space will not permit the full history of each work, we cannot close without acknowledging the efforts and sacrifices which have been made for Malawi, Central Africa.
In 1991, Bro. Failos Namaozongo, of Malawi, Central Africa, became acquainted with Faith Publishing House through our literature. And as a result he established contact with us.
Bro. Failos has the oversight of 10 congregations in Malawi and 13 congregations in the neighboring country of Mozambique. In 1996 he requested that someone from the States visit them, so Bros. Bob Sallee and Michael Smith traveled to Malawi in August of that year. They found a people hungry for the simple gospel message but possessing very few Bibles.
In July of 1997, Bro. Bob Sallee returned to Malawi with his daughter, Sis. Karen. During the Monark Springs National camp meeting, word was received that Sis. Karen had contracted malaria and was very sick. General prayer sessions were held on the camp grounds, and prayer chains were formed. The throne of heaven was inundated with hundreds of petitions. Bro. Bob's wife, Sis. Irma, and Bro. Michael Smith quickly obtained plane tickets and flew to Blantyre, Malawi, to be with them.
It was a huge undertaking to get Sis. Karen home, but when Bro. Bob and Sis. Karen's scheduled flight back to the States arrived in Oklahoma City, they were on it. Every step of the way God miraculously intervened to provide their needs, but the battle wasn't over. Karen continued to suffer with severe chills and fever. The saints held on to God, praying constantly throughout the nights. In the face of death, God sent life and brought her through. Her life is an icon of the love and mercy of a faithful God. As of this date, she has no reccurring symptoms such as many victims of malaria experience.
The crops in Malawi failed in 1997, and the congregations were in dire need of help. The saints responded with donations, and on March 15, 1998, Bro. Bob Sallee returned to Africa to take humanitarian aid to the Malawi congregations.
Several days after returning to the States he exhibited flu-like symptoms, and though many prayers were prayed, on April 11, God took him home. The sickness was later confirmed to be malaria. This was a tragic loss to the Print Shop, to the Church in general, and especially to his wife, Sis. Irma, and their children. We are convinced that the full benefit of this sacrifice is yet to be reaped.
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Testimonies of Former Workers
Frances (Pruitt) Murphey
Frank Edward (my twin brother) and I were born on August 22, 1918, after the folks moved from Clovis, New Mexico, in June.
The folks lived at 611 W. Mansur when we were born. Frank and I were 17 months old when they moved to 924 W. Mansur. I was 8 years old when they built the Print Shop by the house. When I began working in the Print Shop, we folded the paper by hand. Mother would put a pot of beans on the stove on paper day, and then around noon she would go over and make cornbread and we'd gather in for lunch.
It took us two days or longer to put out the paper, but the day came when they bought a folder. Before we had had to fold, staple, trim and wrap the paper by hand, but this machine folded, pasted and trimmed it. It was a special day when that machine came to the work.
We children would also gather in and fold tracts by hand. We didn't keep a stock of books. The paper and tracts were the main things we published. There was a big demand for the tract, 48 Hours In Hell. When that was ready to be stitched (stapled), I knew I had a job that day. It took a long time because I had to do it by myself.
At home we had chickens and a cow which Mother would take out to graze alongside the road. Papa would make a garden and plant lots of potatoes, which were placed in the cellar for our use through the winter. He would also go to the food mill and buy wheat. We children would help him clean it and then grind it for whole-wheat mush to eat for breakfast. Leftover mush was sliced and fried for supper.
When fruit came in season, we canned peaches, apples and pears, and also made jelly.
In spring we would pick wild greens and Mother would buy salt meat for seasoning. What we really enjoyed was when Papa would come home with two sticks of bologna, a box of crackers and pork and beans. That was a treat. Papa liked candy, and every once in a while he would bring home a sack of it.
During the depression the Lord supplied us with plenty to eat. I can't remember ever going hungry. We had eggs and milk and lots of potatoes.
We always had visitors and workers in our home, where we gathered each morning and evening for worship.
The Lord was dealing with us children. I was always tender and wanted to do right, and in later years I wanted to live for the Lord, but just couldn't seem to. I would try and fail. Then Willie Murphey came along and would ask me, "Frances, when are you going to get saved?" "When I can live it," I said. The day came when the Lord really burdened me with my need for salvation. I gave my heart to Him and went on to sanctification. I learned to depend on the Lord rather than myself to keep saved.
I thank the Lord so much for His goodness and how He helped us down through the years. My determination is to always be what He wants me to be.
Clifford Wilson
On page 176 of the book titled God's Gracious Dealings, written by Bro. Fred Pruitt, mention is made of the arrival at the Print Shop of a Model `B' Cleveland Folder. This machine was to be delivered, set up and made ready to run. The set-up man was to do a brief break-in session with someone from the Print Shop on the proper operation and care of the machine. The man who came to do the set-up job was quite impressive with his skill and ability at working with machinery, for the folder came completely "knocked down" and the pieces crated and packed in a number of different crates and boxes. He came in the first morning with a good-sized toolbox in his hand and went to work unpacking pieces, each of which he laid out in a pattern on the floor. When all the pieces were accounted for, he began assembly. He worked for three or four days fitting them all together. Any of you who have ever worked on the Cleveland `B' will know that it would be quite a thing to assemble starting from scratch.
Shortly after shop work started one morning, we heard the motor on the Cleveland `B' start up and the set-up man began the process of fine-tuning the machine to fold sections for a book Bro. Pruitt had brought him. It didn't take long to get the machine in running shape, and the next thing I knew I was elected to go in and take the "short course" on how to operate it. Well, about the first thing needed was some paper stacked on the "board" to feed from, so he began showing me how to stack the board. You pick up a stack of paper of the correct size, a half to three-quarters inch thick, lay it on a flat work surface with the edge that will lay toward the folder away from you, then hold the stack down with one hand. With the other hand, pick up the outside corner of the stack and pull it in toward the center of the sheet, holding the corner down rather firmly, not enough to make an obvious crease but enough to put just a bit of up-curl in the corner of the paper. Then, with your hand flat on the corner, roll the corner back out until the paper is flat again. Do the same thing with the opposite feed corner. With this slight "up-curl" in both corners of the stack, fit the lead edge of the stack against the folder guides and do another stack. Keep this up until the board is full, twelve to sixteen inches or so high. The blower on the folder will blow air gently into this curled-up front edge of the stack, loosening the top sheets so the suction feed cups will pick up only one sheet at a time.
With my unskilled awkwardness and his explaination of various procedures as we went along, it took a while to get the board stacked, but when we finally did, I looked over at him and said, "What happens, now, if I get in a hurry sometime, decide all of this prep work is not necessary, and just stack the board without it?" I will never forget the look that came on his face, nor the answer that he gave me. He must have stared at me for a full minute or more before he finally spoke, and then he said, "I have been sent here to set this machine up and show you how to run it. If you do it the way I show you, it will run and do the job. If you try some other method and it doesn't work, tear it down and set it back up like I have shown you and it will work."
That has been something like fifty-five years ago, and times without number, through the course of my life, this man's saying has re-echoed in my ears, especially in regard to my service to our Lord and Master. When the suggestion would come to cut a corner a bit here, or spare a little detail there, or use some idea of my own instead of His specified instruction, this counsel would echo through my soul again, and I would hear the Master saying, "If you will tear the whole thing down and build it back the way I have taught you, you will enjoy the success you are seeking." Oh, how I thank and praise my blessed Lord for the truth.
Thomas Vada McMillian
It was the year of 1942 when I came to work at the Print Shop. Before that, I was living in Mississippi and was isolated from the saints. Someone had sent us a Faith and Victory paper. I got interested in reading it and started corresponding with Bro. Fred Pruitt. His letters were such a blessing to me. They were what helped me to be led to meet with the saints. I went to the Hammond, LA, camp meeting, and he was there. He invited me to go home with him from the meeting and help in the Print Shop. I gladly accepted the invitation and went to Guthrie with him and the company that was with him, which included Sis. Maybelle Pruitt, Bro. Ostis Wilson and Sis. Dorothy Byers. Sis. Dorothy was going to work in the Print Shop, too. Bro. Clifford Wilson was already there at Guthrie.
Being privileged to be in Bro. and Sis. Pruitt's home and to be with the other workers there was a great blessing to me. I was privileged not only to hear the gospel preached, but also to see it lived.
The family of Bro. Pruitt, along with the workers, would meet in the living room and have family worship morning and evening. Our worship consisted of singing a few hymns, reading a chapter in the Bible, and having prayer. Bro. Pruitt taught all of us to take part in the worship service. We all enjoyed it.
The atmosphere was heavenly, both in the home and in the Print Shop. It was a very common thing, when Bro. Pruitt would be working, to hear him say, "Praise God." And sometimes others would be singing while they worked.
Bro. Hyrum and Sis. Geneva Ray lived next door to the Print Shop. Sis. Geneva also helped in the Print Shop. All the workers would meet in Bro. Pruitt's home for the noon meal. Sis. Pruitt did most of the preparing of the meal. She was a real good cook. We all enjoyed the good food and the conversations that took place during the meal.
Bro. and Sis. Pruitt were almost like a father and mother to me. I will always remember their kindness.
While I was there, Bro. Merrill Williamson and Sis. Myrtle Grice came to work there, too. We enjoyed their presence also.
I worked there about one year. I count that as one of the most valuable years of my life. It helped me to become established in the truth. I have never doubted that I have met with the true people of God. I desire to finish my life with them, and also go to heaven with them, and live with the Lord forever with His great family.
Evodna (Thurman) Marler
I thank the Lord for preserving the Faith Publishing House outreach these many years. I know a little about the devil's attempts to stop it.
I am also grateful for the way a door was opened for me to be a part of the work there. What a heavenly atmosphere it was-quite different from what I was accustomed to. Bro. and Sis. Fred Pruitt were so dear, patient and gentle with us young converts. I know God led me to the saints and to that phase of the Lord's work, for it was my salvation in getting settled and established in the truth.
May God bless everyone who have devoted their time and talents, and all who have supported this means of spreading the gospel.
I am thankful for the precious memories of the years I spent at the Faith Publishing House. I enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere, and also the work. I remember when Bro. Fred Pruitt would have mechanical problems with the machines, how he would reply, "Praise God!" That was such a blessing to me. I appreciated Sis. Mary Pruitt cooking tasty meals at the Print Shop home. I enjoyed the company of co-workers, and all the experiences I had while living and working at the Faith Publishing House.
Ruth (Hornbeck) Taylor
I remember going to the Pruitt home as a very young child. I always thought Sis. Pruitt made the best gravy in the world, but the main thing about her was how much I felt she loved me as a child, and later as a young Christian. She was one of the sweetest older saints in my young life. We would come to visit Aunt Maybelle and Uncle Lawrence, then go across the street and down the block a short distance to the Print Shop. When it was time for the paper to go out we would frequently go up there and help fold the paper, then help put the addresses on. I thought it was fun. The machine that folded the paper and the tracts saved a lot of time for the workers.
I remember when Willie and Frances got married in the living room of the Pruitt home. It was in June and it rained so hard. I was sad because it rained on their wedding day. I thought they should have a perfect day for their wedding. To me they were the perfect couple.
I also remember when Aunt Maybelle and Uncle Lawrence got married. They had their wedding in the home of Grandma and Grandpa Miles up on the hill, north of where the dining hall is at Monark. The house burned long ago.
God has been good to all of us. I thank Him every day for the heritage I have had that taught me about Him and how to serve Him. May God bless all you who are there. Keep me and my family in your prayers, and we will remember you in our prayers. Back to Front Page
The Workers Reunion of Faith Publishing House
Wayne Murphey
On the morning of July 11, 1998, the present workers and many former workers of Faith Publishing House gathered in the new unfinished Print Shop building for a reunion commemorating 75 years of publishing the gospel.
The event began with Bro. Arnett Carver leading the song That Glad Reunion Day. Roll was then called and each worker given an opportunity to share memories of his or her time of service at the Print Shop.
At noon a light lunch was served. In the afternoon, roll call resumed. Group photos were taken at 4:00 p.m. before the evening meal.
Special recognition was given to my mother, Frances Murphey, and Andrew Pruitt, two of the only three living children of the late Fred and Mary Pruitt. Mary Embly, the other living child, had planned to attend, but was not feeling well enough to make the trip from California.
Last on the schedule was a slide and song presentation which revisited the past and promoted the purpose of the work of the Lord.
God blessed the assembly of those who came together for the workers' reunion. It was a time of tears and laughter. We appreciate all who made the effort to attend. If God permits, perhaps there will again come a time when the Faith Publishing House family gather on this side of eternity.
Until that day, may God bless each one, and let each of us remain faithful to our calling.
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