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 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