Flavil Nichols
During the war between the states, a young woman learned the truth and obeyed the gospel. Her sweetheart, J. H. Halbrook, was a confederate soldier. He was captured by the union army and kept a prisoner in Michigan until the war was over. He was given a ticked to Nashville, Tennessee, and $2.50. From there, he returned to Centerville and found what was left of his home and family. He found his girlfriend and they were married. His wife studied the Bible with him, and soon became a Christian. He thought the truth was so good and so simple that he began to teach and baptize many of his friends and neighbors. He began to preach, but he recognized his need for more training, so he came to the original Mars Hill Bible School, taught by T.B. Larimore. Upon completing his studies there, instead of going back to Tennessee, they moved farther south, coming into Walker, Marion, Fayette, and Lamar counties in Alabama. One of his many converts was Charley Alexander Wheeler. His wife taught him to read from the Bible. Along with his wife, C.A. Wheeler obeyed the gospel and soon began preaching to others. He started more than 100 congregations and baptized more than 6,000 people.
But wait, the story is not ended! One of those 6,000 was my father, the late Gus Nichols! Twelve thousand were baptized under his preaching. Among those baptized by Gus Nichols, no one knows, nor can know, how many began to preach “the glorious gospel of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:3-4); but I personally know several. I. Flavil Nichols, am One who he baptized and whom he encouraged to preach the truth. And under my preaching, about three thousand have been baptized. A few among them preach the gospel, also!
Only eternity can reveal the total results of the conversion of that one girl nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. The results are not yet all in! But this shows that TWENTY-ONE THOUSAND people have become Christians through this single thread in the fabric of her influence.
“Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37). YOU are important, too! Dear reader, if you go to heaven, others probably will be saved by you! “For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” (1 Cor. 7:16). “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Each One is very important.
This article is very good, and shows us the importance that YOU
can make. We sometimes get discouraged and say that I don’t make in difference in the whole history of mankind, but who knows? Do you think this young lady that taught her husband had any idea what would take place? Do you know what the future holds for you? You may be the one who leads the best preacher that has ever lived this side of Christ. You may convert the one who converts the one who does. You are important and you need to keep up the good work!
Someone might say, “I can never convert anyone.” How do you know, have you tried? Have you converted your mate? Have you converted your children? If you have done this then you have done a great work. Noah did not save that many people! But where would we be without him? You see ONE is important. You are important! So don’t ever give up the faith.
There is work here that all can do. If you do not do it then it may not get done, so let’s get busy! Each one of us for the Lord!
Love, Keith
