Words from Home and the Road

"Your Servant, S. Stevenson General Delivery Montgomery, Alabama"

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Two weeks later a letter from Lou arrived in the Montgomery post office. Ten days later Solon retrieved it on his way through the Alabama's state capital. He was on his way from Brewton, Alabama to Meridian, Mississippi. He'd heard of some scattered Universalists over in fast-growing Meridian. It had become a railroading crossroads. Two weeks ago had found him in meetings at Camp Springs in east Alabama near Opelika, with the Burrus folks there. The economic and social upheaval in southeast Alabama, the whole central south, was markedly discouraging. The people responded well to his message. Because of the bad times, folks seeking hope was an idea Solon had come to understand. Setting his work aside, he began reading his letter.

"Mr. Stevenson, I trust this finds you in good health and that your work goes well. We are well and warm. Winter here is cold and wet. We had a sprinkling of snow two days ago.

I received Mr. Rogers' book that you sent and am reading it, maybe better said - I am wrestling with it. I look forward to being able to talk with you about it. Some of it is troubling. It is so very different from what I've heard from preachers in the Sequatchie Valley and here in the Elk Valley. I say troubling because Mr. Rogers' and your belief describe God as a lot more loving and merciful than others.