Copy of the letter written and sent to 5066 people by Ms. Sarah Rowsey around

1903 - 1907

CORINTH, MISS

MY DEAR FRIEND:

In addition to my appeal, I feel like writing you a personal letter because my soul is on fire for the work at Shiloh. My dear father organized West Shiloh Church nearly forty years ago with my mother, her parents and other relatives. While father was not present that day in the organization of South Shiloh Church, yet he did all in his power to build up the church and to keep it alive as long as he lived. His membership was there when he passed away and it was there he did his last preaching. I heard him in his daily prayers asking God to raise up someone who would help hold up the cause at these two churches and the day he died I felt the Mantle had fallen on me, and as I was taking my last look on his sweet smiling face, I clasped my hands and while looking up I asked God to help me go forward in his place, so I went to work and God did bless the building of West Shiloh Church. Now I cannot rest until I see Zion wheels rolling at South Shiloh.

As I pen these words my eyes are full of tears when I think of the past and how hard my father worked with such great sacrificing. I can see him now toiling away. But when I turn and look at Jesus, sweet blessed Jesus on the cross, I realize that our toils are not to be compared with the sufferings of Christ, and the Good Book says, Are we not willing to suffer with Christ? So for His sake I am happy to do what little I can.

The first money that was donated for this new building was given by an orphan girl who cooks for what she eats and wears, only. She heard me talking about building this house and without my knowledge of it, by permission, she went to a garden and dug parsnips and sold them and here she came with her dime as proudly as ever a queen marched to her throne, and said it was little but it would start the building fund. She was so earnest, so humble, sweet and happy to give all she had that it brought tears and encouragement to me. I said in the name of Christ I will go forward. Her name and story of the dime and parsnips will be placed in the cornerstone.

I had twenty-six books to record the names of those I am calling on for help, and as they respond their names are written with ink in a six dollar register, unless some one would prefer their name left out. As Shiloh is known all over the world as a noted battle field, we do not hesitate to call for help from any place. The money will draw 4 per cent interest for every day it is in the bank which will help swell the fund and if this building should happen to be a failure you will get your money back with the interest, but we mean to go through with this undertaking, trusting the good Lord to bless every effort put forth.

I am sending you the picture of West Shiloh Church, a leaf of a minute of the association which shows what has been done by correspondence.

You can send the money to W. H. Runions, Corinth, Miss., or to me, as you prefer.

Bro. Runions will buy all the material here, what he does not have shipped in here, so it matters little who receives the money, as he is so honest and so interested in this building, for he knows the prospects and needs of this place.

Please remember the orphan girl and how she started this fund with her parsnips, and say, well I can do something if it is only to send a stamp to pay for the one that brought me this letter. Now not for my sake but for the sake of Him who shed His blood for these people, do what you can. I am sending enough letters to build some kind of a house if all will respond with a little, so please do not let it be for you to break the chain, but do what you can and trust the gift to Him who is able to guide and bless the offering through eternity.

May God bless you and prompt you to respond at your earliest convenience is the earnest wish of your friend, and servant for our Master.

Thanking you in advance for your generous help, I remain your sister in Christ Jesus.

SARAH ROWSEY