1913 KENYON A. PALMER. Two Fine Content Letters by Important Gideon Bible Society Pioneer!

Very fine pair of extensive letters written by Keyon Alexander Palmer [1872-1952]. Field Secretary of the Gideon's International for many years, his Scrapbook was published after his death and recounted decades of history with the Bible distribution movement. 

These letters are quite moving in that they reveal someone who was, in private, exactly what he professed to be in public. He writes to a long-time friend, Howard Smith of Nebraska, with deeply personal and spiritual content. 

Letter 1. Dated to 1931 is 10 pages in length. Palmer discusses his own status as a 50 year old bachelor, the ongoing impact of the great depression, then proceeds . . . "for in spite of the hard times and the unemployment, all forms of amusement seem to be patronized as liberally as ever; people are as well dressed as ever, and expensive new cars are more numerous than ever. In other words, the rich seem to be growing richer at the expense of the poor. I read my Bible a great deal. I have read it through from cover to cover fourteen times, and it would seem, Smithy, that things are rapidly heading up for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told very plainly what conditions will obtain when He comes back [he then lists ten criteria] . . . Christ might come back this very night. The all-important question is are you ready if he does come? All those who belong to him - who are truly saved - will be translated, in the twinkling of an eye, when He returns. Those who are not will cry for the hills to hide them from the wrath of Almighty God, but it will do them no good. We are now living in the Days of Grace. To-day if you hear His voice . . . I love you Smithy. So does He, for He died for you. Please do not reject His unspeakable Gift."

Letter 2. Dated to 1931, is 5 pages in length. Palmer writes regarding the death of his friend's father, "I can't tell you how badly I feel to learn, only this afternoon, of the sudden death of your father . . . I commit you, dear friend, for comfort and strength, to the One who said: The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms . . . as one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you . . . I will not leave you comfortless. . . . We read in Scripture, speaking of the death of Abner, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? I'm sure that the people in and around Madison who knew him so intimately felt exactly the same when your father left them. How could they feel otherwise, when we read of him, "Never did Clint Smith say an unkind word about a living soul." . . . I can but point you to our Heavenly Father, who promises to bind up the broken hearted. Commit your life to Him in unconditional surrender and be ready so that if the summons were to come to you, as suddenly as it did to your dear father, you will be able to say with the Apostle Paul, We are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord," etc. 

Both in very fine condition.