Old Preacher Lewis
Back in the early 30's and 40's in Southern New Mexico
Was a traveling preacher watching over his herd
Never had a church like we know
He did a lot of his preaching where ever he would go
A Johnny Appleseed of sorts, spreading God's word
He always had a friendly hello
He would start his walk on the Rio Grande River
At Las Cruces and then north day by day
The Santa Fe Railroad gave him a life time ticket to ride
He always had goodness to deliver
At he end of the day, he had a house to stay
And pray with them once inside
The only denomination that he knew was preaching God's word
They were all the same to Preacher Lewis
And he would help anyone with a empty belly
He was one of the Lord's shepherds, watching over his herd
He would baptize a baby or settle a fuss
Did not take much to please him, could get by on toast and jelly
After the Depression, my Dad would see the preacher now and then
He was working in a lumber yard, one evening after work close by
He and some friends , stopped in a bar to drink a beer
Old Preacher Lewis came in
He said, "Boys, I need some help I cannot deny"
"I am not here to judge you or wonder why you are here"
"But boys, I have a family down the road, they have hit on hard times"
"If you can find it in your heart for a little change, let me pass my hat"
"Then I will be on my way to get them something to eat"
He said no more, within minutes the hat was full of nickels and dimes
There has to be a lot said for an old country preacher like that
Old Preacher Lewis, the preacher I never met
Copyright © Danny Nunn | Year Posted 2009
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