Appreciation Revisited_My Brother

"...Mr. Primm completed more than 60 fighter-pilot combat missions in his P-38 Lightning and had his share of crash landings as well. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his combat aviation prowess."* Gerald C Primm, of Greensboro, NC, is my oldest brother. He was a college freshman when the USA was attacked at Pearl Harbor  on December 7, 1941. He left school, joined the army air force, and trained for single-fighter air combat. He served country, community, and family well for many years then and later. Today he is ill and unable to move about as he used to do when always on the go. After WWII, he became a husband, preacher, and father. From a young age, he began faithfully to study, then preach, lead churches, mentor young pastors and others, teach, and comfort sick or hurting ones, and wandering ones with whom he often shared a meal. When we had just finished The Mourner's Comforter new edition, based on his rare edition in his personal library, if I spoke of even minor discouragement he would say, his voice from the other end of the phone connection, "Well, just open the book!" And I could hear the smile in his voice. "It's true," I would tell him, "I can open to almost any page and feel better." He said that was what he would do. He knew of the "brooding darkness that spreads its jealous wings," which Spurgeon wrote about in The Comforter, and which comes at different times to everyone. Although he is now very ill, my brother is in the care of family and others, resting, waiting, and at peace. I am thankful for what his copy of one of his treasured books now means to many readers, through the editions he has published and helped.

*Source: "Ask Veterans to Share Their Stories," Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, Greensboro News & Record, Harry Thetford

The Mourner's Comforter and Dark Memory

After a nightmare in the midst of mononucleosis sickness, I opened The Mourner's Comforter, and my eyes fell on a beautiful distraction--trees. The words said: 

"Trees frequently become marvels of grandeur... What a history is embodied in those gnarls and knots and twisted branches... How they tell of stormy nights and days of heavy snow! All over the bark and the boughs time has with his pencil written records of sunshine and tempest. Now, such is a Christian when God makes him rich in grace: if you could but know him and read him he is a mass of history. His virtues are the results of severe trial, and the records of sublime joys. All the lines of his face mean something; there is not a scar upon his soul, or a dark memory upon his spirit, or a bright recollection in his mind but what it redounds to the glory of God." 

What a contrast to the Pit of my nightmare.

Quote from The Mourner's Comforter, C H Spurgeon, Opine Publishing, p. 220. In Not All Roads Lead Home (second ed., p. 106; first ed.,pp. 127, 128), Jane Bullard. Bold font emphasis added.

(c) Jean Purcell 2010

From the writer of the Foreword

There is spiritual uplift and strength on the pages of THE MOURNER'S COMFORTER for many, including those who are spiritually hungry or suffering spiritual depression. Here is the cure. Its truths comfort the mind and restore the soul. 

This book became a valued companion and help during an uncertain time for me, many years ago. I treasure the copy I saved, full of underlines and highlights from that memorable time. I still return to this book.

Jane Bullard [pen name]

Writer, Foreword, The Mourner's Comforter new edition

The Names Behind the Newest Edition

Gerald C. Primm of Greensboro NC made possible the newest edition of this treasured book, THE MOURNER'S COMFORTER. As a 20 year old in early days of WWII, Mr. Primm "completed more than 60 fighter-pilot combat missions in his P-38 Lightning and had his share of crash landings as well. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his combat aviation prowess."* After the war, he became aware of God's call to him to preach, a direction he had never anticipated. He felt unable to speak in public, a fear he determined to overcome. As a young pastor, he began to read and collect books and articles by C. H. Spurgeon. He immediately admired Mr. Spurgeon's teaching, humble beginnings, and determined faith. There were life experiences he shared with the London preacher, as well, although separated by two generations and different nations and continents. Mr. Primm's book collection grew beyond expectations, to become the largest known personal collection of original and early C H Spurgeon books and articles. Opine Publishing greatly appreciates and is indebted to Mr. Primm for his help for its edition of THE MOURNER'S COMFORTER-and his Acknowledgments, prepared for the Opine Publishing edition.

Carolyn J. Hesson gave countless days and months to co-edit and format this new edition, a labor or loving care and respect for the work and its effects. Along with Mr. Spurgeon and Mr. Primm, Mrs. Hesson's name is "behind the newest edition."

* "Ask Veterans to Share Their Stories," Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, Greensboro News & Record, Harry Thetford

From The Mourner's Comforter Preface

Heavy Heart,

This book is meant for you. He who sends forth this volume knows the heart of a mourner by a kindred experience, and is most anxious to be a "son of consolation" to the sorrowing. This little book is meant to scare the night-raven, which Milton tells us sits "where brooding darkness spreads his jealous wings." Most men know it as Religious Melancholy, but we call it by the older and more scriptural name of Mourning in Zion. By whatever name it is called it is none the more pleasant....

Jesus Christ Himself is anointed to comfort the distressed in heart, and fulfills His office by giving Himself to them to meet all their needs. The pages of this book are full of Christ Jesus, the consolation of Israel; and if, in any degree, they cheer the despondent, it will be entirely due to Him, their object and their theme....

No heart, however broken, needs any balm but Jesus to work its perfect cure. Sorrows, which like Noah's flood drown all, are soon assuaged by a word from His lips. Get Him and keep Him, O bruised and bleeding heart, and you are healed. For broken hearts the broken-hearted Saviour died, and for them He lives and pleads. Look to Him, mourner, and the black horror of despair shall end.

Yours heartily,
C H Spurgeon