HUGH STOWELL

Here is a statue of Hugh Stowell, the writer of "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows." I'm not much into statues. The real person would suit me better, or a picture of the real person since he died in 1886.

I like him, though. He wrote only one song. I have written only one book. I wonder if they'll raise a statue to me. Maybe not .

After he'd decided it was wrong to baptize babies, he became a Baptist. That's a new reason to me for becoming a Baptist. He was known for his work in the cause of peace. Also a first--I didn't know Baptists were into furthering the cause of peace. I thought we were rabble rousers.

In 1847 (one hundred years before I was born), he traveled to Liverpool to preach at Myrtle Street Baptist Chapel and stayed there the rest of his life. That's longer than I've stayed in one place.

His preaching was simple and direct--and humorous. Have you ever wondered what we'd do without humor-- with all the not-so-funny things going on around us?

Mr. Stowell started a series of lectures on Sunday afternoons. People who thought they couldn't dress well enough to go to church attended these talks. Often he spoke to a crowd of three to four thousand.

He started the Workman's Bank to help people develop habits of saving, which kept many from poverty.

This guy was busy. Maybe that's why he wrote only one song. I guess I'll get started on my second book since I'm not a speaker or a banker.

In the meantime, you know where to pick up Ebenezer. You'll still have money to sock away in the Workman's Bank--or wherever you keep it.

Speaking of money, a check for children's books is going to educator and child advocate Emily Bond in honor of those who played our Blog game.

You can read on page 13 of Ebenezer about Mr. Stowell's song, "From Every Stormy Wind that Blows."

Thanks for your participation and putting up wth my silliness.

Marty