"YOU ARE A
GADABOUT.
J.W.Senterfitt,to G.W.S.Ware.
Gad means, to roam about in a purposeless manner; the act of roaming about without an
object.
It is a principle of law, not to condemn a man before he is heard, so you sit up and
take notice while I make my defense.
As my custom is since I quit active life because of age, this morning before breakfast
I took a long walk, but that was not gadding, for health is my object, and I have more of
it, as far as I know, than any of my brothers in the ministry, over 65 years old, who
sleep, or try to sleep the early hours, while I walk. To my knowledge, I am the most
active and healthy old man in two States. Last Summer, I went to Atlanta, but that was not
gadding about, for I had four years of typing bound in book form, which was not mental
gadding about, for the good of my unborn great, great, great grand-children was my object.
Last winter and spring, I began to move in body, mind and spirit, about my coming 84th.
birthday, but that was not gadding about, for I had an object to raise $200. for Missions;
and I ask ONE to help me, and as usual, He helped more than I ask for–$258.20 was the
amount. I go and come from Georgia, but that is not gadding about, for the Kingdom of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and my health are objects to attain. and you ask the
well-to-do saints of the First Baptist Church, and the poor Saints of the Second Baptist,
and they will cause you to blink your eyes in glad surprise.
Again, you stand up and take notice. Last week I went about 50 miles, to meet with the
Middle Florida Association, but that was’ent gadding about, for it was in one of my
old churches, and an other one, a few miles away; and when a lot of my old members
gathered around me with smiles of heaven, AND I PREACHED THAT NIGHT ON RO.8:21, R.V.
"THE GLORY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD," a test I venture to say, you never used; any
way, that night the mountains melted down, and there was joy in that congregation, that
night.
My beloved brother Senterfitt, I type you like I thought you meant it, but I
don’t, and I thank you, you gave me a chance to brag on myself.
G.W.S. Ware.
