Since some of you have written asking me to give an account of my experience, I will take
this time to do this. When a boy of 8 or 9, I recall my grand-mother Swogger and Aunt taking me to
Sunday School twice as my parents never attended since their youth. I was 9 and a half when both
my grand-mothers died͖ and especially at my grandmother Swogger’s funeral, I remember quite
vividly having sincere thoughts to know and do my Father’s will.
We, parents and two younger, bros. lived in the small country village of Hadley,
Pennsylvania, about 250 people, where my father was an automobile mechanic. When I was near 10
a neighbour lad took me a couple times to the Wesleyan Methodist S.S. and service held in Mrs.
Dick’s home beside the empty Methodist Denominational Building on our hill. These Wesleyan
Meth.’s (which are so-called holiness teach being born again and their idea of sanctification, but as
some, these didn’t believe in the so-called third work of grace-speaking in tongues) purchased this
building from the Meth. Conference. The pastor and family who came were kind and very influential
in the community succeeding to get at least a few to attend. Age of 10 to 14 I went regularly being
indoctrinated by their beliefs and told often how the world was so full of false doctrines, prophets,
teachers, workers of iniquity, and to beware of modern religions which had turned from the “old-
fashion-way-of-worship”. We were much warned against new versions of the Bible (one group in Ky.
Gather together burning one to show their disapproval I understand). I was taught to read my Bible
every day and it was instilled in me that it would be a terrible sin to go thru’ a whole day without
reading the scriptures at all. There my S.S. teacher, Mrs. Dick, took quite an interest in me.
While practically through the 8th grade, I decided that I would like to go at least one time to
the Presbyterian Denom. Which was the only other denom. In the small town and was over on the
other hill in easy walking distance. Most went there from the neighbourhood and several of my
class-mates. (oh what might have been if I had just continued where I was) I wanted to see how
their service were conducted and too, because my mother would make remarks about the Wes., as
they would get a bit loud, which I did not understand but yet feared to speak much against the
noise, lest I might be saying the wrong thing. Having attended once, I wanted to learn more about
them, so continued for over a year taking more and more an active part. Then at Easter season
when asked to join, I was hesitant; but through a little persuasion and fair consent at home, I did
with a number of other young folks. Gradually I began trying to believe as they. Toward the end of
another year, now near the end of my Sophomore year, I had really become perplexed or confused
to simple what was right and wrong, clean and unclean. Because this Wes. Allegheny Confer. Taught
one should follow the letter of the word, but they knew nothing of the spirit of it (one should dress
plain, long hair, no rings of any kind or pins or brooches or jewellery, tobacco in any form,
intoxicating drinks, televisions, worldly entertainments, etc. and if one did you would be in danger of
being in that flame, the lake of fire that burneth forever and ever). Now the Presbyterians believed
the opposite, and they felt sorry the others were so ignorantly denied of much. Of course the Wes.
Took off the names of their members form their membership when some lowered their standard or
requirements.
I began going back to the Wesleyan on Sun. nights as I could see more honesty and sincerity
among them; however I still took an active part in all other activities where I had joined and was
baptised (sprinkled).
To whomever I could feel might help me regardless their faith, I would go to their home to
discuss the scriptures. The eunuch ( cts 8) when Philip asked, “Understandest thou what thou
readest?” readily confessed, “How can I except someone should guide me” seemed very much my
experience at this time. One summer day I rode my bicycle 15 miles down to Sanda Lake to visit our
new Pres. Minister. He gently explained, “I cannot tell you what is right and wrong.” Those were
sad words as he was in charge of the six churches in the Parish. “If one believes certain things are
wrong, for him it is sin, but if one believes these same things are right, for that man it is not sin. Our
family believes in these things and we go to dances, movies or relaxation. I believe if a man gets
intoxicated, and as long as he remains in his own little corner, I can see no harm in that.” Riding
disappointedly back I thought, well, if one can believe all these things are right and they will be!
Then why not believe that way. I questioned it though, but went to a few dances. Right away I
could see that that was the wrong course because I was drifting further away from God and I would
not pray as often and seldomly would kneel since I joined the Pres. I never stopped reading my Bible
and desiring understanding. I would discuss the scriptures with Mrs. Dick, and also with my Pres.
S.S. teachers, Mrs. Sheffler and Mr. Anderson, plus Mrs. Neice who was and Nazarene, but in Hadley
attended the Pres. On Sun. A.M. and Wes Alliance and too attended the Pentecostal Holiness and
Wes., a neighbour boy who was Catholic, and the Mrs. Patterson who lived in the Pres. Parsonage
beside Mrs. Sheffler and just across the street from Jess and Ella Dunlap (who is professing and very
hearty at the time). Mrs. Patterson and family attended another Wesleyan group because of feeling
better than these in the community.
I often seemed to be at the forks of the road. I would start down one road, but soon I would
be conscious this is not the right way; then I would retrace my steps and start out another direction
and soon again I found myself in the same confused state.
The forepart of my Junior year our Pres. Youth Fel. and S.S.Class decided to visit other
places of worship to see how they believed and conducted their services. To say the least I was
surely pleased. I had decided I would like to attend every religion when I got away from home to see
which way was most original and closest to the teachings of Jesus. One Sun. A.M. we left our own
services going to a larger town, Greenville, where we divided up to visit several sects. It fell my lot to
go to the Lutheran and that happened to be the Sun. everyone went into the new adjoining bldg.. to
simple admire it, et., although not quite completed. One Sun. afternoon we visited the Catholic
where the priest showed us his regalia, and another to the Jewish synagogue where the Rabbi
showed and described their faith. Afterwards when back at the Pres., we had a discussion on these
beliefs and I was sadden to see some laughing how others believed, when I thought they,
themselves were not much better. These that we had gone to, to my mind, were more proud and
formal than even the Pres.’s. You would know this is an unusual thing for a denom. to leave their
own services to visit others. In it I now can see as the spirit moved upon the face of the waters (Gen.
1:2 first action after the earth was created), so the Spirit was preparing the soil of my heart for the
sowing of the Kingdom’s incorruptible seed. Looking upon these few religions I could see the
Wesleyans were more practical and nearer to what would be acceptable before the Lord. Still not
satisfied there either.
The latter part of my Jr. year Mrs. Dick and I began quite a series of studies on the Book of
Revelation (easy study eh!) using other books, stopping at her home for an hour or so on the way to
school (school was on the other side of the Wes. Bldg.) Each time we would kneel to pray, and often
the tears would flow down her face as she prayed for my folks and others in the community. She
and the minister and a few others tried to encourage me to go to a Bible School after I would
graduate, but I never felt moved in this direction.
I never mentioned these things to my folks as they sure would think I was crazy and could not have
begun to understand me. In a sense, I do not understand why I continued so to feel after God when
others at home were not religiously minded. Thinking of this may times, if I might say, it may have
been the lack of attention and affection at home desiring to know my Heavenly Father. However I
believe everyone has desires to know God, but most cause these desires to be crushed or crowded
out by other things instead of seeking until one can sing those words, “Jesus, Saviour, I have found
Him, whom my souls so long hath craved.” I am eternally thankful that I in a measure kept a rather
good conscience and continued allowing His voice to my heart in a measure to be obeyed. But at
this point I must add that many a time I proved to be ‘no little angel’. You know what I mean eh!
Once when my mother was complaining about me attending these services, my father spoke
up rather loudly, “Those in this house that want to go to church, GO, and those who don’t, STAY AT
HOME.” Another time she said ”Denny will probably wind-up being a preacher.” Dad replied,
“Well, it’s all right with me if he wants to go and starve to death!” Coming down the stairs one day
when mom. Was mad at me for something, and reaching the bottom to turn into the dining room,
here came my Bible flying at me. I was shocked. After professing, my dad said to my bro., “Anyone
driving a car as much as he does needs a new car every year.” About four years after I professed,
two sisters held a few mtgs. in the little town. Finally I got my mother to one of them. Afterwards
she told my dad, “Some came 35 miles to that mtg. which lasted only an hour.” Answer, “They’re
just out of their head.” Having gone forth in the Harvest Field dad said to one bro., “If Denny had to
be a preacher, why did it have to be that kind.” My dad never spoke personally to me about these
things. One time I heard my dad say to a neighbour boy, “Religion is just like Santa Clause, just helps
to hold the world together but that is all there is to it.“ I lived for the day I could be away from home
that I might have religious liberty. Yet in many respects my parents have may good marks about
them. They are friendly to all the friends and workers, but of course to them this seems a strange
way. I hope and pray for them. Sometimes it seems hope against hope. I pray that they may get to
understand that there is indeed a living God and that He desires and yearns to be their Father also.
Ps. 19 and Romans 1: Nature should speak.
During these days I often visited a cousin who is only two hours older than myself. One
Easter his mother had him (Ronald Swogger) and his younger bro. join the Millageville Pres. Denom.
and baptised. Ronald told me, “That was the worst thing I ever did”. At that time I wondered how a
person could ever feel that way. He like most of my relatives are that way, so irreligious. One
relative, a cousing goes to the Free Methodist (they don’t use music and when a spirit strikes them
they will even roll on the floor – that is how they got the name ‘holly-rollers”)
Now as I mentioned I was a Jr. Time neared to buy our class rings. Everyone usually gets
one. What was I going to do??? I didn’t know and after discussing with others, I still didn’t. After
having another talk with myself and am sure the Lord was in on that conversation, I decided, “I don’t
know what church I’ll attend (or congregation) later on, but whatever way I find which follows the
teachings of Jesus, they probably will not believe in wearing rings and the like. jTherefore regardless
what others may think, I’ll not get one.” And thus I did.
One day I asked Mrs. Patterson what ch. The Dunlaps attended. She told me they went to
one ch. One Sunday and to another the next. No certain place. And of course felt that was not the
thing to do and naturally I agreed (I don’t know how she got this impression of them). She advised
me to start attending the Wes. On our hill regularly even tho’ she said they have some strange
beliefs one may not agree with. She told Mrs. Dunlap about my visits. Ella Dunlap then prayed that I
would visit them. I had questioned in my mind as what she believed as I said. And believe I
hesitated because she reminded me of the Amish and Mennonites in a sort-of-way, of which there
are different beliefs of them around home and especially so in central Penn’a. I wanted to know
more about them too but thought they were those that I had been warned against and so I felt the
same way about the Dunlaps. In my distress of soul I would pray, but believe lacked in seeking the
Father as I should have. One Sun. night in April Ella came over to a Wes. service that she might have
occasion to speak to me, which she did. I gathered many of my religious books together thinking the
Dunlaps might enjoy them, which I had recently bought, and my Bible and went to visit them, the
next evening. Jess doesn’t profess but was very friendly to me at that time, and I often sold them
(him) groceries at the store. They heartedly welcomed me into their home. After a while we began
speaking on Biblical subjects and soon I began inquiring about their faith. Ella gladly began to
explain how they believed in the one faith that Jesus lived and taught on the shores of Galilee over
1900 years ago, God’s way from the beginning. Sounded very impressive! And went on to tell how
Jesus sent the 12 and 70 apostles forth by two and two. Although somewhat familiar with the
scriptures, yet some of these things were new to my ears. She showed me her Bible proving
graciously it was the same as mine. I asked where did the church meet? And they asked me what is
a ch.? I replied as I was taught “A place of worship”. They soon changed my mind as we looked into
the dictionary and Bible, and explained to me they met in a home (Geo. And Stella Deniker, Grove
City). I asked, “You wouldn’t have an altar would you?” Jess entered the conversation, “YOU MEAN
THE MOURNERS BENCH?” I had become a great believer in the altar and had felt because the Pres.
Closed their mtgs. without an altar call, they were leaving out one of the most important parts.
However, this is one thing I can hardly explain, but just the way that Jess expressed it and the tone of
voice, the Lord seemed to show me right there the emptiness of tit and thru my experiences at
altars. Toward the end of our discussion that evening, Ellas said, “This week tow of our sister
workers or servants who have not been here for several months and my sister who has not been
here for about two years are coming this week. If you would like, I’ll send Martin down to the store
and have you come up.” “I will be glad to,” I replied. This seemed to be another time wonderfully
planned of the Lord. Two evenings later while at the store, I saw two strangers walking pass the
store and up the steep hill around the curve toward the Dunlaps. I looked for the son about 12 years
old to come to invite me, but the invitation didn’t come until the next evening. Another day seemed
a long delay. I went up that next night after work to meet these two sisters, Florence Witt and Susan
Wallace. They explained that they could not tell me everything in the Bible, but tell me the ‘Essence
of Salvation’ (what it means to be saved. At the close of our conversation I asked, “What about
those in foreign fields where Baptists would come along to make Baptists out of them, like-wise the
Meth., Wes., Pres., etc. and then you tell them not to follow any of these, but simply follow Jesus?” I
do not recall how the conversation went then, but the little the Lord was showing me was
wonderful. Following evening I went up to meet and visit Edna Reitz, Ella’s sister, and naturally
again favoritably impressed. They asked me to attend the Sp. Mtg. the coming Sun. at the Deniker
home, 30 miles away. I had told Mrs. Dick a little about my good visits and plans of going to this Sp.
Gathering. That Sat. night before the Mtgs., Mrs Dick came down to the store and while buying a
loaf of bread said, “If I were you, Denny, I would not go to those meetings tomorrow.” I answered,
“Well, I have promised and I would like to go at least one time to see what I have been hearing
about.” I went. I was impressed with the people and their testimonies as I was not used to that kind
in the so-called holiness. I noticed too the servants proved to be servants as some of them helped
serve during the lunch hour. Not so among the Pres. Suppers! When the workers spoke in mtgs.,
they made it clear that they themselves needed to live these things out in their lives too, and I
believed they were. On the way home, Ella said, “The workers were speaking of how well you
listened.” I didn’t say much of anything but thought “Why wouldn’t I?” Too bad all don’t feel this
way who attend mtgs. eh! The following Sunday I went with them to the Sp. Mtg. held in a hall in
Pittsburgh, 70 miles south. I felt some-what out-of-place at that home and hall hating to miss my
regular services, knowing all would be questioning where I had been. But as I returned and listened
to the minister I soon found that I am more out-of-place here, plus knowing what I heard was
contrary to the scriptures (much of it). Each week I would have 2 or 3 hour studies with Ella. The
time just flew. I could have easily spent the whole night many times realizing how many of our visits
were too long. I was very eager to know the truth of the scriptures that I might be set free from this
state of confusion. I was always filled with questions each visit and wanted to know if this really was
the only way of Jesus. I knew the Pres. didn’t have much because of often being astonished at the
things I would hear and see among those that were supposed to be the devoted members not
speaking of those that were just plain members as to speak. Ella told me her father often said, “the
Presbyterians profess nothing and live up to it.” I readily agreed. It took me a little longer to see
that the Wes. had nothing either as all ways of men and being built not on the one true foundation.
And at the time I wondered, “Could it be that in all the world, among all the ways, that I have not
attended yet, that right here and now, I have found not a way which is the closest to the scriptures,
but the way of the scriptures.” Walking home after each visit I was more and more thankful for the
understanding I was receiving and began experiencing Prov. 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the
shinning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Like those in Berea, Acts. 17, I
would search the scriptures daily to see whether those things were so and believe with readiness of
mind. At the same time it was like continuing to pull the curtains back further and further to see if
there was anything that just wasn’t what it should be because I knew so very well how many times I
had been warned to beware of false teaching and I certainly didn’t want to be getting mixed up in
the wrong thing. One visit Ella told me I was like Cornelius, (Acts 10) in that my prayer went up to
god as a memorial. Really I never just understood what she meant by that until after I went out in
the work. As I went thru’ these days I found that those words were going up to God from my heart,
“Lord, Jesus, teach me how to choose, talk Thou with me these choices o’er͙” I wondered how one
could rightly condemn people who are living after the example of Jesus. I began to see that the
church should be in the home and the preacher without a home. However I thought, “Church in the
home?” I know that I’m looking for His humble way yet didn’t know it was this humble; since having
this priceless privilege, I do want to be washed from all that is wrong and serve the Lord as I desired
at that funeral. Again I sadly admit many times I would potentionally content for the Wes. when
speaking to Ella to see how she would answer. One time she said, “I see that you still believe the
Wes. are alright.” “No” I said, “I don’t think any more of them than the Pres. at all.” I’m sure those
were precious words to her as now she could weary more with me. And many times she would say,
“When the servants come they can explain these things so much better than I.” But I thought she
was doing excellent and so the questions continued from met. She surely was patient and
longsuffering. I understand today that I did not recognize as I should have that these people have
the genuine Spirit of Christ about and in them, but I was mainly just searching out the letter of the
word. During these days I told my S.S. teachers of both places that the way of Jesus had never
changed but was the same yesterday, today and forever. I thought I might get some of them
interested, yet, was surprised that none would even consent to visiting this saint about the
scriptures.
Florence Witt came back (her companion was sick at the time) about 2 months later after
that first visit. Jess didn’t care to have meetings in the home. He consented for me to come up to
have Bible talks with Florence which we did one week. And that coming Sun. went with them 40
miles to the small Union Mtg. held in Mrs. Lamont Davis’ humble home. The next mtg. was left open
for anyone to say a few words that desired walking in His way. I got to my feet saying, “I know this is
the only way of Jesus and want to walk in it.” (or words to that effect). I recall very well when I got
home that I asked the Lord to cleanse me and told Him that my life was His. But OH how far short of
that I have often been! The next week we had a few more studies. There were fears of what my
folks would say and whether they would stop me from going to these mtgs. Yet I knew if they did
stop me, that I could go when I got away from home. However like so often, our worst fears are
never materialized. Nevertheless how important to have that fixed heart, definite purpose. Two
months late in August I went with the Dunlaps to the Newry convention where I was baptised by Jim
Beacom in “53”. It was about a year or so when I go to see how a gospel mtg. was held, which was
in Harmony, 50 miles away. After I got to see this was God’s way, this choice of walking in the way
was not as hard as having the willingness to present my life before the Lord and His servants to be
used in the higher calling if I would in any small measure be capable and worthy. I tried, like many,
to drown these thoughts out of my mind by taking up Photography etc. I wrote a letter to Willie
Beacom in October that I would go forth because I felt moved to this end, and wondered if my life
would be accepted in the Harvest Field or continue in the Photography work. On May 4th, 1958 after
a Sp. Mtg. near Newry I humbly went forth to be a servant.
I did not realize that this would get so lengthy, but guess I went out on too many unnecessary
avenues to give you my testimony. Perhaps sometime I can try to condense it.
Truth Archive 