THE MOSTELLER STORY
INSTALMENT #1

Since Gladys and I have been adopted by you, I thought I'd better tell you something about your newly-adopted "son" and "daughter."

Gladys was born on April 1, 1917 in Oregon City, Oregon, USA. I made my entry at Pierre, South Dakota, USA on June 25, 1918.

We met at Northwest Nazarene College and graduated on June 5, 1941-- Gladys with a well-deserved document, having majored in Sociology, and I, with a bit of charity, with two degrees: Philosophy and Biblical Literature. In 1964, with yet more charity, NNC conferred on me an honorary Doctor of Law degree (L.L.D.) that they had found lying around.

Gladys and I took advantage of the fact that my parents had traveled such long distance from Pierre for my college graduation, and we were married one week later—June 12, 1941—in Oregon City.

Our first Sunday in the pastorate was Pearl Harbor Day—December 7, 1941—in Hemlock, Oregon. (Does that sound like a poisonous beverage?)

In short order I took in new members: Gladys, by transfer of membership, and a man called Bowie. Bowie was a good man, but suffered from the dropsy. He had flopping ears and two teeth -- one upstairs and the other downstairs. I asked Gladys and Bowie to come forward to the altar, and then I opened my Manual to the section for the reception of members—so I thought—and began to read, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of these witnesses to join..." The church recognized that I had been reading from the wrong page, and somebody let out a snort. Then laughter broke out. Gladys and Bowie both shook in unison as with the dropsy. I, too, lost control. Bowie wanted me to carry on! But no way! I had married Gladys, the best gal south of the North Pole, and I wasn't about to give in to Bowie's desire!

Those dear folks at Hemlock stood behind us and that little church had revival and grew and became the talk of the entire district. What a time we had!

Well that's just the beginning of our story. More another time.

Love in Him,
Earl E. Mosteller”

Link to INSTALMENT #2 >>>

IMPORTANT NOTE – Though LINKS “business” is done through the address previously supplied at District NMI Convention, personal correspondence is more easily directed to the Mostellers through the following address: Ginny York, P. O. Box 868, Canyonville, OR 97417.